Tranxene: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
Tranxene® (
clorazepate dipotassium) if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Tranxene Warnings and Precautions
Warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking Tranxene include the following:
- The medication is a controlled substance, which means that it has the potential to be abused. There are special rules and regulations for prescribing and dispensing it. Tranxene is generally not recommended for people with a history of alcohol or drug abuse (see Tranxene Addiction).
- Tranxene can cause psychological and physical dependence. The risk of abuse and dependence is greater for those taking a higher Tranxene dosage for long periods of time (more than a few weeks). Because the medication can cause dependence, you should not stop taking it suddenly without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Tranxene Withdrawal).
- Tranxene can cause severe drowsiness and difficulty breathing, which may be life threatening. This risk is increased when the medication is combined with alcohol, narcotics, or other medications or substances that cause drowsiness and sedation (see Tranxene Drug Interactions). You should not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the drug will affect you.
- Tranxene may cause depression or worsen preexisting depression. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you are depressed or have a history of depression before you begin treatment.
- Elderly people are more sensitive to the effects of Tranxene and may need to be started at a lower dose. The medication may increase the risk of falling, which is especially dangerous in elderly people (who often have weak or brittle bones).
- Sometimes, people react to Tranxene in a way that is opposite of what is usually expected. That is, they may become agitated, aggressive, and restless, and may have difficulty sleeping. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these effects while taking the drug.
- Let your healthcare provider know if you have liver or kidney disease, as your body may not handle Tranxene as well as it should.
- Tranxene is considered a pregnancy Category D medication. This means that it is probably not safe for use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking the drug while pregnant (see Tranxene and Pregnancy).
- Tranxene passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Tranxene and Breastfeeding).