Generic
Clobazam
Indications
Acute and chronic anxiety states which may produce the following symptoms in particular: anxiety, tension, restlessness, excitement, irritability, sleep disturbances from emotional causes, psychovegetative and psychosomatic disorders (for example, in the cardiovascular or gastrointestinal area), and ... Read moreAcute and chronic anxiety states which may produce the following symptoms in particular: anxiety, tension, restlessness, excitement, irritability, sleep disturbances from emotional causes, psychovegetative and psychosomatic disorders (for example, in the cardiovascular or gastrointestinal area), and emotional instability. In patients with depression or anxiety associated with depression, Clobazam must be used only in conjunction with adequate concomitant treatment. Use of benzodiazepines alone, can precipitate suicide in such patients. Before treatment of anxiety states associated with emotional instability, it must first be determined whether the patient suffers from a depressive disorder requiring adjunctive or different treatment. In patients with schizophrenic or other psychotic illnesses, use of benzodiazepines is recommended only for adjunctive, i.e. not for primary treatment. As adjunctive therapy in patients with epilepsy who are not adequately stabilized with their anticonvulsant monotherapy.
Pharmacology
Clobazam binds at distinct binding sites associated with the chloride ionopore at the post-synaptic GABA receptor. These GABA receptors are in various locations in the CNS (limbic, reticular formation) and clobazam increases the duration of time for which the chloride ionopore is open. As a result, hyper polarization and stabilization of the membrane occur as the post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA is enhanced.
Dosage Administration
General Dosage: Dosage and duration of treatment must be adjusted to the indication, the severity of the condition and the individual clinical response. Due regard must be paid to the possibility of interference with alertness and reaction time. The fundamental principle is to keep the dose as low as possible. Treatment of anxiety states- Adults and adolescents over 15 years of age: The initial dose is usually 20 mg clobazam daily. If necessary, the daily dose may be increased. Generally, it is recommended that a total daily dose of 30 mg is not exceeded. Elderly: Increased responsiveness and higher susceptibility to adverse effects may be present in elderly patients and require low initial doses and gradual dose increments under careful observation. A maintenance dose of 10 to 15 mg clobazam daily is frequently sufficient. Children from 3 to 15 years of age: Increased responsiveness and higher susceptibility to adverse effects may be present in children and require low initial doses and gradual dose increments under careful observation. A daily dose of 5 to 10 mg clobazam is frequently sufficient. Benzodiazepines must not be given to children without careful assessment of the need for their use. Secondary dosage adjustment: After the improvement of the symptoms, the dose may be reduced. Timing of doses: If the dose is to be spread throughout the day, it is recommended that the larger portion be taken in the evening. Duration of treatment: The duration of treatment must be as short as possible. The patient must be reassessed after a period not exceeding 4 weeks and regularly thereafter in order to evaluate the need for continued treatment, especially where the patient is free of symptoms. Generally, the overall duration of treatment (i.e. including tapering-of process) must not exceed 8 to 12 weeks. In certain cases, extension beyond the maximum treatment period may be necessary; treatment must not be extended without a re-evaluation of the patient's status using special expertise. It is strongly recommended that prolonged periods of uninterrupted treatment be avoided, since they may lead to dependence. Discontinuation of treatment: It is strongly recommended that after prolonged treatment clobazam is not withdrawn suddenly but rather that the dose is reduced gradually under medical supervision; otherwise, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Treatment of epilepsy in combination with one or more other anticonvulsants- Adults and adolescents over 15 years of age: It is recommended that administration be started at small doses (5 to 15 mg daily), if necessary, increasing the dose gradually to a maximum daily dose of about 80 mg. Children from 3 to 15 years of age: It is recommended that normally treatment be started at 5 mg daily. A maintenance dose of 0.3 to 1.0 mg/kg body weight daily is usually sufficient. Higher susceptibility to adverse effects may be present in children and require gradual dose increments under careful observation; Benzodiazepines must not be given to children without careful assessment of the need for their use. Elderly: Higher susceptibility to adverse effects may be present in elderly patients and require low initial doses and gradual dose increments under careful observation. Timing of doses: If the dose is spread throughout the day, it is recommended that the larger portion be taken in the evening. Doses of up to 30 mg clobazam can also be administered as a single evening dose. Duration of treatment: The patient must be re-assessed after a period not exceeding 4 weeks and regularly thereafter in order to evaluate the need for continued treatment. Discontinuation of treatment: At the end of treatment- to include cases in which response to therapy has been poor- it is strongly recommended that clobazam is not withdrawn suddenly but rather that the dose is reduced gradually; otherwise an increased susceptibility to seizures as well as other withdrawal symptoms may occur.
Side Effects
Alcohol: Concomitant consumption of alcohol can increase the bioavailability of clobazam by 50% and therefore lead to increased clobazam effects. Central nervous system depressant drugs: Especially when clobazam is administered in higher doses, a mutually potentiating effect is to be expected if other central nervous system depressant drugs (such as antipsychotics, anxiolytics, certain antidepressant agents, anticonvulsant drugs, sedative antihistamines, anaesthetics, hypnotics or narcotic analgesics, or other sedatives) are taken at the same time. Special caution is also necessary when clobazam is administered in cases of intoxication with such substances or with lithium. Opioids: The concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including clobazam, and opioids increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death because of the additive CNS depressant effect. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids. Anticonvulsants: If clobazam is administered simultaneously with anticonvulsants in the treatment of epilepsy, the dosage must be adjusted under regular medical supervision (EEG monitoring), as there may be interactions with the patient's basic anticonvulsant medication. In patients receiving concomitant treatment with valproic acid, there may be a slight to moderate rise in plasma valproic acid concentration. Phenytoin plasma levels may rise if patients receive concomitant treatment with clobazam. Where possible, it is recommended that blood levels of concomitantly administered valproic acid or phenytoin be monitored. Carbamazepine and phenytoin may cause an increase in the metabolic conversion of clobazam to the active metabolite N-desmethyl clobazam. Stiripentol increases plasma levels of clobazam and its active metabolite N-desmethylclobazam, through inhibition of CYP3A and CYP2C19. Monitoring of blood levels is recommended, prior to initiation of stiripentol, and then once new steady-state concentration has been reached, i.e. after 2 weeks approximately. Narcotic analgesics: If clobazam is used concomitantly with narcotic analgesics, possible euphoria may be enhanced; this may lead to increased psychological dependence. Muscle relaxants: The effects of muscle relaxants and nitrous oxide may be enhanced. CYP 2C19 inhibitors: Strong and moderate inhibitors of CYP2C19 may result in increased exposure to N-desmethylclobazam (N-CLB), the active metabolite of clobazam. Dosage adjustment of clobazam may be necessary when co-administered with strong CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g., cannabidiol containing medicinal products, fuconazole, fuvoxamine, ticlopidine) or moderate CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole). CYP 2D6 substrates: Clobazam is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor. Dose adjustment of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 (e.g. dextromethorphan, pimozide, paroxetine, nebivolol) may be necessary.
Pregnancy And Lactation
Clobazam must not be used- In patients with hypersensitivity to clobazam or any of the excipients of Clobazam. In patients with myasthenia gravis (risk of aggravation of muscle weakness). In patients with severe respiratory insufciency (risk of deterioration). In patients with sleep apnoea syndrome (risk of deterioration). In patients with severe impairment of liver function (risk of precipitating encephalopathy). In breast-feeding women Benzodiazepines must not be given to children without careful assessment of the need for their use. Clobazam must not be used in children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, other than in exceptional cases for anticonvulsant treatment where there is a compelling indication.
Therapeutic
Benzodiazepine hypnotics
Storage Conditions
Benzodiazepine hypnotics
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