Where is Clobazam used?
Clobazam is a prescription used to prevent seizures and treat severe anxiety for the short term. This is in the family of medications called benzodiazepines that acts on the brain and nerves to produce a calming effect.
Controlling and reducing seizures lets you do more of your normal daily activities and lessens your risk of harm when you lose awareness. This also lessens your risk for a possibly life-threatening condition of frequent and repeated seizures. Clobazam is a prescription approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
How does Clobazam work?
The brain and nerves are composed of several nerve cells that communicate with each other through electrical signals. These signals must be cautiously controlled for the brain and nerves to work well. When there is an unusually rapid and repetitive electrical signal released in the brain, it becomes over-stimulated. Also, the normal function is disturbed and results in seizures. Anxiety may also be related to the inappropriate stimulation of nerve cells in the brain.
Clobazam works by acting on GABA receptors in the brain and causes the release of a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. These are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. GABA acts as a natural nerve-calming agent which helps keep the nerve activity in the brain in balance. It is involved in inducing sleepiness, decreasing anxiety, and relaxing muscles.
As Clobazam increases the activity of GABA in the brain, it increases its calming effects. By calming nerve cells, Clobazam prevents excessively rapid and repetitive firing of electrical signals. This stabilizes the electrical nerve activity in the brain which helps to prevent fits.
How is Clobazam taken?
This medication is to be taken by mouth usually once or twice a day as directed by your doctor. You may take each dose with a full glass of water. If you are taking this once a day, then take it at bedtime. If you are taking this in divided doses, take the larger disease at bedtime. The recommended dose depends on your medical condition and response to the treatment.
What are the possible side effects of Clobazam?
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Vomiting
What are the precautions in using Clobazam?
- This medicine causes muscle weakness, drowsiness, and impairs alertness and concentration. These effects may continue into the following day and may get worse by drinking alcohol. If you are affected you should avoid possibly hazardous tasks such as operating machinery or driving. Do not drink alcohol while taking Clobazam.
- You should tell your doctor right away if you notice a rash, any blistering, or peeling of your skin, mostly if you have flu-like symptoms while taking this medicine. Your treatment may need to be stopped.
- This should be used with caution in people with decreased liver or kidney function, a disease that affects the airways or lungs, or those who have problems with muscle weakness.
- Clobazam is not recommended for use in people with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse, a condition called myasthenia gravies, severe breathing problems, sleep apnoea syndrome, or severely decreased liver function.
- Certain medicines should not be used during breastfeeding or pregnancy. Let your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy or pregnant, before taking any medication.
