Sympazan Side Effects

Generic name: clobazam

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jul 20, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Sympazan Side Effects associated with clobazam. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Sympazan.

Applies to clobazam: oral film, oral suspension, oral tablet.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (film; suspension; tablet)

Warning: Risks from Concomitant Use with Opioids; Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction: and Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions. Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.The use of benzodiazepines, including clobazam, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death.

Before prescribing clobazam and throughout treatment, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction.The continued use of benzodiazepines, including clobazam, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence.

The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose.

Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of clobazam after continued use may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening.

To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue clobazam or reduce the dosage.

Serious side effects of Sympazan

Along with its needed effects, clobazam (the active ingredient contained in Sympazan) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clobazam:

More common side effects

• difficulty with swallowing
• fever
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Less common side effects

• change in speech pattern
• restlessness
• slurred speech
• trouble sitting still
• trouble speaking

Incidence not known

• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• blood in the urine or stools
• chest pain
• chills
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficult or trouble breathing
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• itching, rash, hives, or welts
• joint or muscle pain
• lack of feeling or emotion
• painful or difficult urination
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• red, irritated eyes
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
• swollen glands
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking clobazam:

Symptoms of overdose

• agitation
• blurred vision
• change or loss of consciousness
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• loss of strength or energy
• nightmares
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• slurred speech
• sweating
• talkativeness
• trouble speaking
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability

Other side effects of Sympazan

Some side effects of clobazam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• aggressive
• body aches or pain
• decreased appetite
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• drooling
• ear congestion
• irritability
• loss of voice
• runny or stuffy nose
• sneezing
• vomiting

Less common side effects

• bladder pain
• cloudy urine
• cough with mucus
• frequent urge to urinate
• increased appetite
• lower back or side pain

Incidence not known

• double vision
• full or bloated feeling
• headache
• muscle spasms
• pressure in the stomach
• red skin
• swelling of the stomach area

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clobazam: oral film, oral suspension, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included sedation or somnolence, tiredness, pyrexia, and lethargy.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Sedation or somnolence (up to 32%), somnolence (up to 25%), lethargy (up to 15%), drooling (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, dizziness, disturbance in attention, dysarthria, headache, psychomotor hyperactivity, sedation, slow speech, slurred speech, speech disorder, tremor
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amnesia, anterograde amnesia, memory impairment
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Impaired consciousness
• Frequency not reported: Articulation disorders, cognitive disorder, fine tremor of the fingers, gait disorders, indistinct speech, nystagmus, other motor function disorders, slow response to stimuli, unsteady gait/movement^[Ref]

Altered consciousness more commonly occurred in older patients, and may have been combined with respiratory disorders.

Anterograde amnesia occurred in the normal dose range, but was more frequently reported with higher doses.

Articulation disorders, gait disorders, other motor function disorders, slow speech, and/or speech disorder were typically reversible and occurred more frequently with higher doses and/or at the beginning of treatment.

Fine tremor of the fingers typically occurred at the beginning of treatment, and usually disappeared with continued treatment.

Nystagmus occurred more frequently with higher doses and/or with prolonged treatment.

Somnolence occurred more frequently with higher doses and/or at the beginning of treatment.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Tiredness (up to 32%), pyrexia (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Drug tolerance, fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fall
• Frequency not reported: Hangover, hypothermia, paradoxical reaction, reaction time slowed^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Aggression (up to 14%), irritability (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Confusion/confusional state, depression/unmasked preexisting depression, insomnia, restlessness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal behavior, anxiety, delusion, loss of libido, nightmare, numbed emotions
• Frequency not reported: Abuse, acute agitational states/agitation, anger, decreased libido, dependence/physical dependence/psychic dependence, difficulty falling asleep/staying asleep, euphoria, fits of rage, habituation, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, initial insomnia, poor quality sleep, psychotic disorder/reactions, rebound phenomena, suicidal ideation, suicidal tendencies, withdrawal
• Postmarketing reports: Apathy, delirium^[Ref]

Dependence more commonly occurred during prolonged use.

Loss of libido was typically reversible and occurred more frequently with higher doses and/or with prolonged treatment.

Withdrawal and rebound phenomena have occurred with discontinuation of treatment.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 14%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, cough, pneumonia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Respiratory disorders
• Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, respiratory failure
• Postmarketing reports: Aspiration^[Ref]

Respiratory failure more commonly occurred with high doses and/or in patients with preexisting compromised respiratory function (e.g., bronchial asthma, brain damage).^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dysphagia, nausea
• Frequency not reported: Vomiting
• Postmarketing reports: Abdominal distention, lip edema^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased/increased appetite
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight increased
• Frequency not reported: Anorexia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cutaneous reactions, urticaria
• Frequency not reported: Photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, sweating, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)/fatal TEN
• Postmarketing reports: Facial edema^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
• Postmarketing reports: Urinary retention^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia
• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, visual disorders^[Ref]

Diplopia was typically reversible and occurred more frequently with higher doses and/or at the beginning of treatment.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle aches, muscle spasms/frequent muscle spasms, muscle weakness, spasm, stiffness^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal hematologic tests
• Postmarketing reports: Anemia, eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function tests
• Postmarketing reports: Increased liver enzymes^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• What is the difference between Sympazan and Onfi?

Further information

Sympazan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer