chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine
Generic Name: chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine (klor die AY zeh pock side and meth skoe PALL a meen)
Brand Names: Librax
What is chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine?
Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Chlordiazepoxide is used in the
relief of anxiety and tension.
Methscopolamine reduces the secretions of certain organs in the body.
Together, chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine are used in the treatment of stomach ulcers,
irritable bowel syndrome (irritable colon, spastic colon, mucous colitis), and acute infections of the
intestines.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience
drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of
medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use.
Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather.Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine increases
the risk of heat stroke because it causes decreased sweating.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine?
Do not take chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine without first talking to your doctor if
you have
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease;
-
a blockage in the intestines, severe ulcerative colitis, or
ulcerative colitis complicated by toxic megacolon;
-
enlargement of the prostate;
-
urinary retention or bladder neck obstruction;
-
myasthenia gravis;
-
thyroid problems;
-
high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat, or any type of
heart disease;
-
hiatal hernia or reflux disease;
-
asthma or chronic lung disease;
-
depression or suicidal thoughts; or
-
a psychiatric disease or take a psychiatric medication.
You may not be able to take chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine, or you
may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine. You may require a lower dose of the medication.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means
that it is not known whether chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant during treatment.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine passes into breast milk in small amounts and may
affect a nursing baby. Do not take chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine?
Take chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Do not take more than is prescribed for you.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than the prescribed amount of
medication or take it for longer than is directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if
chlordiazepoxide is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may
recommend a gradual reduction in dose.
Store chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose,
skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not
take a double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine overdose may include sleepiness,
dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, headache, vomiting, dry mouth, dilated pupils, a slow heart beat,
difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, anxiety, seizures, difficulty walking and talking, appearance of
being intoxicated, and unconsciousness.
What should I avoid while taking chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine??
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If you experience
drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, psychiatric medications, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used
to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to
your doctor.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine increases
the risk of heat stroke because it causes decreased sweating.
What are the possible side effects of chlordiazepoxide and
methscopolamine?
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Withdrawal effects may occur if chlordiazepoxide is
stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual
reduction in dose.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking chlordiazepoxide and
methscopolamine and seek emergency medical attention:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
an irregular or fast heart rate;
-
rash or flushing;
-
hallucinations or severe confusion; or
-
eye pain.
Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take
chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
headache, dizziness, or lightheadedness;
-
weakness or nervousness;
-
blurred vision, large pupils, or sensitivity of the eyes to
bright light;
-
nausea, bloating, heartburn, or constipation;
-
changes in taste;
-
difficulty urinating;
-
decreased sweating; or
-
nasal congestion, stuffiness, or a dry mouth.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine?
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, psychiatric medications, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used
to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to
your doctor.
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine may increase the level of digoxin (Lanoxin,
Lanoxicaps) in your blood. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin so that your digoxin levels can be
monitored and changes in your dosage can be made if necessary.
Many other drugs may increase the side effects of chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
-
amantadine (Symmetrel);
-
quinidine (Quinaglute, Cardioquin, Quinora, Quinidex);
-
antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, many
others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, Bromphen, many others), triprolidine (Actifed, others),
and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), which are found in many over-the-counter and
prescription cough, cold, and allergy medications;
-
decongestants and appetite suppressants such as
phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, others), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, others), which are also
found in many over-the-counter and prescription products;
-
phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and
prochlorperazine (Compazine);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin,
enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or
tinzaparin (Innohep);
-
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
-
other commonly used phenothiazines, including
fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril),
trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and promazine (Sparine);
-
tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil,
Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor); or
-
other commonly used tricyclic antidepressants,
including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine
(Tofranil), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil).
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with chlordiazepoxide
and methscopolamine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or
over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine
written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Chlordiazepoxide and methscopolamine is available with a prescription generically and under
the brand name Librax. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your
pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners
in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare
administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 11/7/05 5:18:29 PM.
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