Clobazam
Clobazam is a medication that you can use to help control seizures in adults and children 2 years and older who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The syndrome is a disorder that causes seizures and often leads to developmental delays.
Clobazam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. It works by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain and providing a calming effect. Clobazam is available only with a doctor’s prescription and comes in tablet form.
Benefits of Clobazam
Clobazam is useful to help control seizures that occur due to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). This drug works in the brain to prevent seizures. This drug will not cure LGS and will only control seizures as long as the sufferer continues to take it.
Clobazam works by controlling neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain. It also relaxes the muscles that tighten (contract) during a seizure. This can reduce the frequency of seizures, and reduce the severity of seizures.
There are several types of seizures that can be experienced by LGS sufferers, including tonic and atonic seizures.
Clobazam Dosage
The dosage of clobazam for each patient can be different. So, make sure to follow the dosage recommended by your doctor or according to the instructions for use listed on the drug packaging label.
The following are the doses of clobazam:
- For adults and children aged 2 years and over weighing more than 30 kilograms (kg): the doctor will determine the dose of the drug based on body weight.
The starting dose is usually 10 milligrams (mg), which you can divide into two doses per day. Your doctor may be able to adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually no more than 40 mg per day.
- For adults and children aged 2 years and over weighing 30 kg or less: the dose can be determined based on body weight and must be determined by a doctor.
The starting dose is usually 5 mg, which you can take only once a day. Your doctor may be able to adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually no more than 20 mg per day.
- Older adults: The dose will also be based on body weight. The starting dose is usually 5 mg, which you can take only once a day. Your doctor may be able to adjust the dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 40 mg per day.
- Children under 2 years of age: use and dosage should be determined by a doctor.
How to Use Clobazam
Here’s how to use this anti-seizure medication:
- Make sure to take clobazam exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or more often than your doctor recommends. This is because benzodiazepine drugs such as clobazam are considered addictive and can cause dependence or overdose if used excessively for a long time.
So, is clobazam a psychotropic drug? Yes, clobazam is also included in class IV psychotropic drugs. This means that the drug has a mild addictive power or addictive effect, so it is still safe enough for you to use in treatment.
- Read and follow the instructions in the directions for use on the medicine packaging carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand.
- You can take Clobazam before or after meals. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.
- Clobazam can usually be taken once a day at bedtime. If your doctor increases your dose, you may need to split it into two doses.
- Try to take the medication at the same time each day. This will help you remember to take the medication regularly.
- If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, ignore the missed dose and do not double the dose on the next scheduled dose.
Usage Attention
Here are some things to consider before using Clobazam:
- While taking this medication, it is important to continue to see your doctor regularly to check your progress and to make sure the medication is working well, as well as to check for any unwanted side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Using clobazam during pregnancy may cause problems for the baby when it is born. For example, sedation, or withdrawal symptoms.
- This medication may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or decreased alertness in some people. So avoid driving or doing other activities that require alertness.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking clobazam, as it may increase the chance of side effects, such as drowsiness.
- Clobazam can also interact with other medications. So, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter, herbal, and complementary or recreational drugs.
- Do not change the dose of your medication or suddenly stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose before stopping it completely. This helps prevent the risk of worsening seizures and reduces the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as behavioral changes, hopelessness, irritability, loss of appetite, hallucinations, and others.
- If you are using hormonal contraception (birth control pills, intrauterine devices, injections, etc.), you need to know that these types of contraception may not work as well when used with clobazam.
Clobazam Side Effects
Just like other drugs in general, clobazam can also cause side effects. Here are some common side effects:
- Sleepy.
- Dizzy.
- Fatigue.
- Constipation.
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Salivate.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Shaking and unable to walk steadily.
- Difficulty sleeping.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these side effects persist or worsen. Also tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, such as:
- Mental or mood changes, such as nervousness, and confusion.
- Muscle weakness.
- Loss of coordination.
- Difficulty speaking.
- Pain when urinating.
Clobazam Interactions
Clobazam can interact with several drugs, including orlistat, and sodium oxybate. These interactions can affect how clobazam works or increase the risk of side effects.
There are also some medications that can affect the removal of clobazam from the body, which can also affect how the medication works. Examples include fluconazole and fluvoxamine.
Also avoid taking clobazam with medicines that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems, such as:
- Opioid pain relievers or cough medicines, such as codeine, hydrocone.
- Alcohol.
- Sleeping pills or anxiety medications, such as alprazolam, lorazepam, and zolpidem.
- Muscle relaxants, such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine.
- Antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
Also avoid taking clobazam with other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam. This can cause a double effect, namely excessive sedation.
So, is clobazam the same as alprazolam? Although both belong to the benzodiazepine drug group, they are different drugs. Alprazolam is more often prescribed by doctors to treat depression and anxiety disorders.
The way it does this is by increasing the production of a neurotransmitter in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (abbreviated GABA). This has a relaxing effect that increases the sac and reduces anxiety, restlessness and stress.
Contraindications
Doctors do not recommend clobazam for use in people with the following conditions:
- Drug or alcohol dependence, severe respiratory insufficiency, myasthenia gravis, and sleep apnea.
- Severe liver impairment.
- Pregnancy (1st trimester) and breastfeeding.