Librium

Librium is a sedative/hypnotic for the treatment of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Chlordiazepoxide belongs to the group of drug called benzodiazepines which are central nervous system depressants that act to slow down the nervous system.

This drug requires a prescription.

If you are about to start Librium, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before taking this drug combination, the risks and benefits for your body should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. The safety, efficacy, and effects of chlordiazepoxide in children below 6 years of age have yet to be established. No demonstrable geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of chlordiazepoxide in the elderly have encountered.

Due to increased sensitivity to this drug in the elderly some effects such as severe drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, or unsteadiness are more prevalent. A lower dose may be required in the elderly to help reduce unwanted effects. Studies about infant risk when taking this drug during breastfeeding show no relationship.

Consult your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Anileridine, Bromazepam, Buprenorphine, Butabarbital, Butalbital, Carbinoxamine, Carisoprodol, Chloral, Hydrate, Chlorzoxazone, Codeine, Dantrolene, Ethchlorvynol, Fentanyl, Flibanserin, Flumazenil, Fospropofol, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Ketoconazole, Lacosamide, Levorphanol, Meclizine, Meperidine, Mephenesin, Mephobarbital, Meprobamate, Metaxalone, Methadone, Methocarbamol, Methohexital, Mirtazapine, Morphine, Morphine Sulfate, Liposome, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Pentobarbital, Phenobarbital, Primidone, Propofol, Propoxyphene, Remifentanil, Secobarbital, Sodium Oxybate, St John's Wort, Sufentanil, Suvorexant, Tapentadol, Theophylline, Thiopental, and Zolpidem. Inquire your healthcare provider about adjustments in dosage if you are taking any of this drugs with chlordiazepoxide.

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with chlordiazepoxide is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems, especially kidney or liver disease as these diseases may potentiate the effects of this drug because of slower excretion of the drug. Consult with your healthcare professional if you have genetic disorders such as porphyria before taking this drug.

To use Librium properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

This drug must be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Additional or prolonged doses could increase the chance of side effects.

The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed. The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug.

The treatment of anxiety in adults is usually prescribed with oral dosage form (capsules) in 5 to 25 milligrams taken three or four times a day. 5 milligrams taken two to four times a day is usually given to older adults and children 6 years and above.

The dosage for children younger than 6 years of age should be determined by a healthcare professional.

A dosage of 5 to 10 milligrams three or four times a day taken several days before the surgery is given for apprehension and anxiety before surgery in adults. Adults with alcohol withdrawal symptoms are given 50 to 100 milligrams.

Repeat doses may be required to control agitation but usually does not exceed 300 mg per day. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children.

Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

Before using Librium, there are some precautions you must take.

Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened using blood tests.

Serious unwanted effects in newborns are expected when this drug is taken during pregnancy. If you think you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant while taking this drug, consult with your healthcare provider immediately.

Some effects specific to the elderly can be drowsiness, dizziness, light-headedness, clumsiness or being less alert than normally. Care should be taken when taking this drug before doing anything potentially dangerous.

This drug combination potentiates the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants such as antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, barbiturates, medicine for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any of the aforementioned while taking the drug combination.

If you experience signs of a serious liver problem such as dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, consult with your healthcare provider immediately.

If you experience signs of agranulocytosis such as unusual bleeding or bruising or weakness, consult with your healthcare provider immediately. Consult with your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking chlordiazepoxide.

Confusion, worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability are unusual and extreme symptoms. You should consult your healthcare provider before you stop taking this drug. Your healthcare provider may slowly taper the drug before stopping it completely to reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as convulsions (seizures), stomach or muscle cramps, tremors, or unusual behavior.

Do not take other prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbal or vitamin supplements unless they have been discussed with your healthcare provider.

If you notice any side effects of Librium, immediately make an appointment with your doctor.

Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Symptoms of fainting mood or mental changes, shakiness and walk unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination are rare.

Abdominal or stomach pain, chills, clay-colored stools confusion, cough or hoarseness, dark urine, difficulty with speaking, dizziness, drooling, drowsiness, fever with or without chills, general feeling of tiredness or weakness, headache, itching, loss of appetite, loss of balance control, lower back or side pain, muscle trembling, jerking or stiffness, nausea, painful or difficult urination, pale skin, rash, restlessness, shakiness and unsteady walk, shuffling, walk sore, throat sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth, stiffness of the limbs, swelling twisting movements of the body uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back unpleasant breath odor, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination, unusual bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness or weakness, vomiting of blood yellow eyes or skin still have unknown incidence.

If symptoms of overdose such as blurred vision change in consciousness, difficulty having a bowel movement, dry mouth, lack of coordination, loss of consciousness, sleepiness, or unusual drowsiness occur, contact emergency medical services immediately.

As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists, or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Inability to have or keep an erection increase or loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance, increased or decreased interest in sexual intercourse, menstrual changes, skin and blisters have been reported but have unknown incidence.

Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.