CLOBAZAM

Clobazam is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are used for their sedative, anxiety-relieving and muscle-relaxing effects.
The brain and nerves are made up of many nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. These signals must be carefully regulated for the brain and nerves to function properly.
When abnormally rapid and repetitive electrical signals are released in the brain, it becomes over-stimulated and normal function is disturbed. This results in fits or seizures. Anxiety may also be related to the inappropriate stimulation of nerves in the brain.
Benzodiazepines work by acting on receptors in the brain called GABA receptors. This causes the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. They are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. GABA is a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural 'nerve-calming' agent. It helps keep the nerve activity in the brain in balance, and is involved in inducing sleepiness, reducing anxiety and relaxing muscles.
Clobazam acts on receptors in the brain (GABA receptors) to increase the release of GABA. This increases the calming effects of nerve cells by GABA. By calming nerve cells, clobazam prevents excessively rapid and repetitive firing of electrical signals. Thereby electrical nerve activity in the brain is stabilized, leading to prevention and treatment of fits and maintenance of normal brain function.
As clobazam prevents fitting, it is used in conjunction with another anti-epileptic medicine for the treatment of epilepsy.
Clobazam may also be used to relieve anxiety in serious or disabling anxiety related conditions. It is not recommended for the long-term treatment of anxiety due to the development of dependence (recommended maximum of 4 weeks).
What is it used for?
• Short-term (two to four weeks only) treatment of severe anxiety that is disabling or causing the individual to unacceptable distress.
• Epilepsy.


How is this drug given?
• Give with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
Use with caution in
• Elderly people.
• Decreased kidney function.
• Decreased liver function.
• Personality disorders.
• Phobias or obsessional states.
• Shaky or unsteady voluntary movements, e.g walking (cerebellar ataxia).
• Clobazam calms the brain.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
• This medicine may be harmful to a developing baby and it should be avoided during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. This is particularly important during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and before or during labour. Regular use during pregnancy should especially be avoided, as the baby could become dependent on the medicine and then suffer withdrawal symptoms after the birth. If this medicine is used in late pregnancy or during labour it may cause floppiness, low body temperature and breathing or feeding difficulties in the baby after birth. Ask your doctor for further information.
• This medicine should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers as it may be harmful to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Drowsiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Dizziness.
• Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, nausea.
• Decreased appetite
• Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor).
• Confusion.
• Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia).
• Headache.
• Loss of memory (amnesia).
• Slurred speech.
• Skin rashes.
• Muscle weakness.
• Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).
• Urinary incontinence.
• Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision.
• Rarely, unexpected effects such as increase in aggression, excitement, restlessness, irritability, rages, nightmares, hallucinations, psychotic reactions (see Warning section above).
• Changes in sex drive.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially: kidney disease, liver disease, respiratory disease, depression, severe muscle weakness, certain types of glaucoma, history of chemical dependence, any allergies. Since this medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness, use caution operating machinery or engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving. Limit intake of alcohol while taking this medication as it may increase the drowsiness/dizziness effects of this drug. The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
This drug may be habit-forming with long-term use.