Depressants Clorazepate

Anxiety For the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety (anxiety associated with depression is also responsive) (alprazolam immediate-release and intensol, clorazepate, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam) for the management of anxiety, tension, agitation, and irritability in older patients (oxazepam). 

With the important exception of additive effects when combined with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, BZDs interact with very few drugs. Disulfiram (see the section The Alcoholic Patient in Chapter 14) and cimetidine may increase BZD blood levels, and diazepam may increase blood levels of digoxin and phenytoin. Antacids may reduce the clinical effects of clorazepate by hindering its biotransformation to desmethyidiazepam. Coadministration of a BZD and another drug known to induce seizures may possibly increase seizure risk, especially if the BZD is abruptly withdrawn. Furthermore, as noted earlier, important interactions have been reported among nefazodone, erythromycin, troleandomycin, and other macrolide antibiotics, as well as itraconazole. In each case, metabolism is inhibited, and triazolam levels can increase significantly. 

Benzodiazepines exert central depressant effects on spinal reflexes, in part mediated by the brainstem reticular system.3 For example, chlordiazepoxide depresses the duration of electrical after-discharge in the limbic system. Most benzodiazepines elevate the seizure threshold and therefore may be used as anticonvulsant medications. Diazepam, clonazepam, and clorazepate may be prescribed for this therapeutic purpose. 

Clinically important, potentially hazardous interactions with amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, carbamazepine, chlorpheniramine, cimetidine, clarithromycin, clorazepate, CNS depressants, darunavir, delavirdine, dexamethasone, efavirenz, erythromycin, esomeprazole, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fosamprenavir, grapefruit juice, griseofulvin, imatinib, indinavir, itraconazole, ivermectin, ketoconazole, lopinavir, nelfinavir, nevirapine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, rifabutin, rifampin, ritonavir, roxithromycin, saquinavir, St John s wort, telithromycin, tipranavir... 

Clorazepate is a benzodiazepine that potentiates action of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, resulting in increased neuronal inhibition and CNS depression, especially in limbic system and reticnlar formation. Clorazepate is indicated in the management of anxiety disorders relief of acnte alcohol withdrawal symptoms and adjunctive therapy in management of partial seizures. 

Occasional Confusion amnesia disinhibition paradoxical excitement depression dizziness witiidrawal symptoms, including convulsions, on abrupt discontinuance (witiidrawal may be especially difficult with alprazolam) rebound insomnia or excitement Rare Hypotension blood dyscrasias jaundice allergic reactions paradoxical rage reactions stuttering with alprazolam BUPROPION, Anxiety agitation insomnia tremor anorexia BUSPIRONE, Dizziness headache nausea paresthesias diarrhea CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE, see Benzodiazepines CHLORPROMAZINE, see Phenothiazines, aliphatic CHLORPROTHIXENE, similar to Phenothiazines CLOMIPRAMINE, see Tricyclic antidepressants CLORAZEPATE, see Benzodiazepines CLOZAPINE... 

A report suggested that the concurrent use of primidone and clorazepate may have been responsible for the development of irritability, aggression and depression in 6 of 8 patients. ... 

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