Also indexed as: Gen-Xene, Tranxene
Clorazepate is used to treat the symptoms of
anxiety, including restlessness, insomnia,
and worry; it is also used for convulsions and symptoms associated with acute alcohol
withdrawal. It is in a class of drugs known as
benzodiazepines.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Vinpocetine*
|
Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements
when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity
of the medication in the body. |
Tobacco
|
|
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Alcohol
|
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
L-tryptophan*
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
L-tryptophan
Test tube studies show that L-tryptophan and clorazepate dipotassium interact in the blood in
such a way that the actions of the drug may be enhanced when high amounts of L-tryptophan are
ingested.1 Controlled research is needed to determine the significance of this
interaction and to investigate possible interactions between clorazepate and 5-hydroxytryptophan, a supplement related to
L-tryptophan.
Vinpocetine
In a preliminary trial, an extract of periwinkle called vinpocetine was shown to produce minor
improvements in short-term memory among people taking flunitrazepam, a
benzodiazepine.2 Further study is needed to determine if vinpocetine would be a
helpful adjunct to use of benzodiazepines, or clorazepate specifically.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol while taking clorazepate may enhance drowsiness and slow reaction
time,3 and, according to animal studies, prolong sleep time.4
Consequently, people taking clorazepate dipotassium should avoid alcoholic beverages.
Smoking
Cigarette smoking decreases the amount of time clorazepate is in the body, lowers blood levels
of the drug, and reduces the beneficial effects;5 therefore, people should avoid
smoking while taking the drug. People who quit smoking while taking clorazepate might
experience unwanted side effects due to increased blood levels of the drug; gradual reduction
in nicotine is preferred.
References:1. Coassolo P, Briand C, Bourdeaux M, Sari JC. Microcalorimetric method
to determine competitive binding. Action of a psychotropic drug (dipotassium clorazepate) on
L-tryptophan human serum albumin complex. Biochem Biophys Acta
1978;538:512–20.
2. Bhatti JZ, Hindmarch I. Vinpocetine effects on cognitive impairments
produced by flunitrazepam. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;2:325–31.
3. Threlkeld DS, ed. Central Nervous System Drugs, Psychotherapeutic
Drugs, Antianxiety Agents. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO:
Facts and Comparisons, 1993, 1255–69.
4. Sifton, DW, ed. Physicians Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ;
Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 475–6.
5. Norman TR, Fulton A, Burrows GD, Maguire KP. Pharmacokinetics of
N-desmethyldiazepam after a single oral dose of clorazepate: the effect of smoking. Eur J
Clin Pharmacol 1981;21:229–33.