Clorazepate
Also known as: Tranxene-SD, Gen-Xene, Tranxene T-tab
> **CRITICAL WARNING**: Do not stop giving this drug abruptly. Sudden withdrawal can trigger severe, life-threatening seizures. Always consult your veterinarian for a tapering schedule if the medication needs to be discontinued. * **Consistency is Key**: A major factor in anticonvulsant therapy failure is missed doses. Give the medication at the same times every day. * **Cats**: If your cat develops a lack of appetite, vomiting, or yellowish whites of the eyes/gums (jaundice), contact your veterinarian **immediately**, as this could indicate a severe liver reaction. * **Side Effects**: Your pet may appear sleepy, uncoordinated, or clumsy, especially when first starting the medication. This often improves as their body adjusts. * **Storage**: Keep the medication in its original container with the desiccant (moisture-absorbing) packet, as the drug degrades quickly when exposed to moisture.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Anxiolytic or for compulsive behaviors
- Alternative drug to phenobarbital for seizures
- Adjunctive medication in the treatment of seizures (in combination with phenobarbital)
- Adjunctive medication in the treatment of seizures (in combination with phenobarbital)
- Adjunctive medication in the treatment of seizures
- Adjunctive medication in the treatment of seizures
- Third-line agent for seizures
- Management of cluster seizures
- Adjunctive therapy for fears and phobias
- Adjunctive therapy for fears and phobias
- Adjunctive therapy for fears and phobias
- Adjunctive therapy for fears and phobias
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Sedation (most common)
- Ataxia
- Physical dependence (with chronic use)
- Acute hepatic necrosis (idiosyncratic in cats)
- Paradoxical excitation or disinhibition of aggression
Cautions & contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines
- Significant liver disease/dysfunction
- Acute narrow angle glaucoma
- Fear-induced aggression (relative contraindication; may disinhibit bite inhibition)
- Use with extreme caution in aggressive animals, particularly those with **fear-induced aggression**, as benzodiazepines can disinhibit anxiety-based bite inhibition and provoke attacks. Benzodiazepines may exacerbate **myasthenia gravis**. Safe use during pregnancy is not established (FDA Category D in humans; teratogenic effects noted in lab animals). The active metabolite, nordiazepam, is distributed into milk and may affect nursing neonates. Abrupt withdrawal after chronic use can precipitate severe rebound seizures.
Drug interactions
- Azole Antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole): May increase serum levels of benzodiazepines by inhibiting their metabolism.
- Cimetidine: May decrease the metabolism of benzodiazepines, leading to prolonged effects.
- CNS Depressants (barbiturates, narcotics, anesthetics): Additive CNS depression; may cause profound sedation or respiratory depression.
- Erythromycin: May decrease the metabolism of benzodiazepines.
- Phenobarbital: Complex interaction: Clorazepate may initially increase phenobarbital serum levels. Over time, clorazepate levels may decrease, leading to decreased phenobarbital levels. Requires close monitoring.
- Phenytoin: May decrease clorazepate concentrations.
- Rifampin: May induce hepatic microsomal enzymes and decrease the pharmacologic effects of benzodiazepines.
Frequently asked questions
What is Clorazepate used for in pets?
> **CRITICAL WARNING**: Do not stop giving this drug abruptly. Sudden withdrawal can trigger severe, life-threatening seizures. Always consult your veterinarian for a tapering schedule if the medication needs to be discontinued. * **Consistency is Key**: A major factor in anticonvulsant therapy failure is missed doses. Give the medication at the same times every day. * **Cats**: If your cat develops a lack of appetite, vomiting, or yellowish whites of the eyes/gums (jaundice), contact your veterinarian **immediately**, as this could indicate a severe liver reaction. * **Side Effects**: Your pet may appear sleepy, uncoordinated, or clumsy, especially when first starting the medication. This often improves as their body adjusts. * **Storage**: Keep the medication in its original container with the desiccant (moisture-absorbing) packet, as the drug degrades quickly when exposed to moisture.
Is Clorazepate safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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