Librium Side Effects

Generic Name: chlordiazepoxide

Please note - some side effects for Librium may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Librium - for the Consumer

Librium

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Librium:

Clumsiness; confusion; dizziness; excessive daytime drowsiness; headache; lack of coordination; lightheadedness; unsteadiness; unusual weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Librium Injection

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Librium Injection:

Blurred vision; clumsiness; confusion; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; short-term memory loss; unusual weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); birth defects; increased anxiety symptoms (excitement, stimulation, rage).

Librium Side Effects - for the Professional

Librium

The necessity of discontinuing therapy because of undesirable effects has been rare.  Drowsiness, ataxia and confusion have been reported in some patients – particularly the elderly and debilitated.  While these effects can be avoided in almost all instances by proper dosage adjustment, they have occasionally been observed at the lower dosage ranges.  In a few instances syncope has been reported.

Other adverse reactions reported during therapy include isolated instances of skin eruptions, edema, minor menstrual irregularities, nausea and constipation, extrapyramidal symptoms, as well as increased and decreased libido.  Such side effects have been infrequent, and are generally controlled with reduction of dosage.  Changes in EEG patterns (low-voltage fast activity) have been observed in patients during and after Librium treatment.

Blood dyscrasias (including agranulocytosis), jaundice and hepatic dysfunction have occasionally been reported during therapy.  When Librium treatment is protracted, periodic blood counts and liver function tests are advisable.

Side Effects by Body System

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects are common and most often have included drowsiness, ataxia, and dizziness.

Chlordiazepoxide may impair the psychomotor skills necessary for driving. Persistent electroencephalographic changes (involving a decrease in the mean energy content and an increase in the variability of the EEG) have been reported rarely.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included respiratory depression which may be clinically important in patients with underlying respiratory disease.

Other

Other side effects have included withdrawal symptoms and case reports of hiccups.

Withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation of chlordiazepoxide may include agitation, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, convulsions, tremor, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and sweating.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included hallucinations, vivid dreaming, agitation, and behavioral disinhibition.

Local

Local side effects have included reactions at the site of parenteral injection (pain, burning, local irritation and swelling).

Hematologic

The manufacturer recommends periodic monitoring of blood counts during protracted treatment with chlordiazepoxide.

One case of non-thrombocytopenic purpura has also been reported.

Hematologic side effects including blood dyscrasias such as agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia have been reported rarely.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including cholestatic jaundice have been reported rarely. Mild transient increases in liver function tests have also been reported.

The manufacturer recommends periodic monitoring of liver function tests during protracted treatment with chlordiazepoxide.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included depression of iodine 131 uptake, galactorrhea, and potential aggravation of hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included fixed drug eruptions and drug-induced photosensitivity.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have rarely included syncope, tachycardia, hypotension, and edema.

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