Health Library

Chlordiazepoxide/clidinium (By mouth)

Chlordiazepoxide (klor-dye-az-e-POX-ide), Clidinium (kli-DIN-ee-um)

Treats stomach or bowel problems including ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and enterocolitis.

Brand Name(s):

Librax

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Take this medicine before meals and at bedtime.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how this medicine works. Tell your doctor if you are using blood thinner, MAO inhibitor, phenothiazine medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy may cause problems in your newborn baby (including sedation or withdrawal symptoms). Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. This medicine passes into your breast milk and may cause problems in your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, eye or vision problems, bleeding problems, trouble urinating, or a history of depression, mental health problems, or drug or alcohol abuse.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of overdose, which can be life-threatening
  • Respiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)
  • Unusual thoughts or behavior
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or trouble seeing. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Blurred vision, change or loss of consciousness, constipation, dry mouth, sleepiness, trouble urinating
• Clumsiness, trouble with coordination
• Fast or slow, or shallow breathing, trouble breathing
• Severe confusion, drowsiness, muscle weakness
• Unusual thoughts, mood, or behavior

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Nausea

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024