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Can you take Clobazam with Ganaxolone?

1 drug interaction and 12 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

cloBAZam ganaxolone

Applies to: clobazam and ganaxolone

Using cloBAZam together with ganaxolone may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, especially the elderly, may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

cloBAZam Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: clobazam

Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of cloBAZam such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with cloBAZam. Do not use more than the recommended dose of cloBAZam, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Moderate:

ganaxolone Food/Lifestyle

Applies to: ganaxolone

Ganaxolone must be taken with food to ensure adequate absorption of the medication. It is best to avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness or other nervous system side effects of ganaxolone. You should also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

10 potential interactions Applies to: 7 conditions, including Depression, Psychosis, Liver Disease, Drug Dependence, and Alcoholism.

Acute Alcohol Intoxication

Major:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a major potential interaction with Acute Alcohol Intoxication.

The use of benzodiazepines with alcohol is not recommended. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibit depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of benzodiazepines may be additive with those of alcohol, and severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.

Alcoholism

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Ganaxolone can cause somnolence and sedation; other CNS depressants (including alcohol) could potentiate these effects. Caution is advised when using this agent in patients with alcohol disorders. Patients should be monitored for somnolence and sedation, and patients should be advised not to drive or operate machinery until they know how ganaxolone will affect them.

Depression

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Drug Dependence

Major:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a major potential interaction with Drug Dependence.

Benzodiazepines have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. However, abrupt cessation following continual use of as few as 6 weeks at therapeutic levels has occasionally precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Addiction- prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance when treated with benzodiazepines. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of benzodiazepine therapy should be undertaken gradually using a dosage- tapering schedule. If withdrawal symptoms occur, temporary reinstitution of benzodiazepines may be necessary.

Liver Disease

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The effect of liver dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of ganaxolone has not been studied; since this drug undergoes hepatic clearance, liver dysfunction can increase ganaxolone exposure. Caution is advised in patients with impaired liver function; they should be monitored for side effects and may require a reduced dosage of ganaxolone.

Psychosis

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Moderate:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

clobazam

cloBAZam has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Benzodiazepines are excreted by the kidneys and should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal function and end-stage kidney disease.

Minor:

ganaxolone

Ganaxolone has a minor potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The effect of renal dysfunction on the pharmacokinetics of ganaxolone has not been studied; however, since renal excretion is a minor elimination pathway, impaired renal function is unlikely to increase ganaxolone exposures significantly. Caution is recommended in these patients.

More resources

clobazam

A total of 537 drugs are known to interact with clobazam.

ganaxolone

A total of 423 drugs are known to interact with ganaxolone.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.