Tranxene
® (
clorazepate dipotassium) is a prescription medication that is used to treat the following conditions:
Brand-name Tranxene is made by Abbott Pharmaceuticals for Lundbeck, Inc.
How Does the Medication Work?
Tranxene is part of a group of medicines known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines have several different effects on the body, including:
- Stopping seizures
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Relaxing muscles
- Impairing short-term memory.
All benzodiazepines can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific medication and the dosage. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Tranxene and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
General considerations for when and how to take Tranxene include the following:
- The medication comes in short-acting tablets (Tranxene T-Tabs) and long-acting tablets (Tranxene-SD). It is usually taken one to three times daily, depending on the particular product and the dosage.
- You can take Tranxene with or without food. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. You may experience serious problems if you take it at higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Tranxene Addiction).
The dose of Tranxene your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Tranxene. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Upset stomach.
(Click Tranxene Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Tranxene may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Slow reflexes.
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Tranxene as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Tranxene tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Tranxene T-Tabs 3.75 mg
- Tranxene T-Tabs 7.5 mg
- Tranxene T-Tabs 15 mg
- Tranxene-SD 11.25 mg
- Tranxene-SD 22.5 mg.
Tranxene T-Tabs are regular immediate-release tablets (named after the distinctive "T" on one side of each tablet. Tranxene-SD tablets are extended-release tablets. The "SD" stands for "single dose," because these long-acting tablets are taken just once a day.
Is There a Generic Version of Tranxene?
Currently, generic Tranxene T-Tabs (but not Tranxene-SD tablets) are licensed for sale
(see Generic Tranxene).
