Generic Name: chlordiazepoxide (klor dye az e POX ide)
Brand Names: Librium
What is Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Chlordiazepoxide is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Chlordiazepoxide affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Chlordiazepoxide is used to treat anxiety disorders or alcohol withdrawal.
Chlordiazepoxide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax). This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use chlordiazepoxide if you are pregnant.
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, porphyria, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Treatments for depression are getting better everyday and there are things you can start doing right away.
Do not drink alcohol while taking chlordiazepoxide. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by chlordiazepoxide.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlordiazepoxide or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
glaucoma;
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
porphyria;
kidney or liver disease;
a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.
Chlordiazepoxide may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Chlordiazepoxide should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Chlordiazepoxide can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use chlordiazepoxide without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication. Chlordiazepoxide may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. The sedative effects of chlordiazepoxide may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking chlordiazepoxide.
How should I take Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Chlordiazepoxide should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice. Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms. Do not stop using chlordiazepoxide suddenly, or you could have seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using chlordiazepoxide.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store chlordiazepoxide at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of chlordiazepoxide can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, excitation, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Do not drink alcohol while taking chlordiazepoxide. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol. Chlordiazepoxide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, or depression can add to sleepiness caused by chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other anxiety medications.
Librium (chlordiazepoxide) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
confusion;
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;
hallucinations; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
drowsiness, tiredness;
swelling;
skin rash;
nausea, vomiting, constipation; or
irregular menstrual periods.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Librium (chlordiazepoxide)?
Before taking chlordiazepoxide, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril);
narcotic medication such as butorphanol (Stadol), codeine, hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone (Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Asendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).
This is not a complete list and there may be other drugs that can interact with chlordiazepoxide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Librium resources
- Librium Side Effects (in more detail)
- Librium Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Librium Drug Interactions
- Librium Support Group
- 32 Reviews for Librium - Add your own review/rating
- Librium Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Librium MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Librium Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Librium Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Chlordiazepoxide Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Chlordiazepoxide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Librium with other medications
- Alcohol Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Light Sedation
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlordiazepoxide.
See also: Librium side effects (in more detail)
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