$Unique_ID{BRK03297} $Pretitle{} $Title{prazepam} $Subject{Centrax Parke-Davis Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic prazepam anxiety depressant central nervous system nervousness} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. prazepam ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAME (Manufacturer) Centrax (Parke-Davis) TYPE OF DRUG Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic INGREDIENT prazepam DOSAGE FORMS Capsules (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg) Tablets (10 mg) STORAGE This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. USES Prazepam is most often prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety. It is not clear exactly how this medicine works, but prazepam may relieve anxiety by acting as a depressant of the central nervous system. This medication is currently used by many people to relieve nervousness. It is effective for this purpose for short periods, but it is important to attempt to remove the cause of the anxiety as well. TREATMENT Prazepam should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. It can be taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Do not take this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may retard its absorption. If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour. If more than an hour has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled dose. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Bitter taste in mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness (after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or vomiting. As your body adjusts to the medicine, these side effects should disappear. To relieve constipation during therapy with this medication, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice chips. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a sitting or reclining position. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about blurred or double vision, chest pain, depression, difficulty in urinating, fainting, falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, mouth sores, nightmares, palpitations, rash, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Prazepam interacts with a number of other types of medications: 1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol, other sedative drugs, central nervous system depressants (such as antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics, medicines for seizures, and phenothiazine tranquilizers), or antidepressants. 2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of levodopa. 3. This drug may increase the effects of phenytoin. 4. Disulfiram, isoniazid, and cimetidine can increase the blood levels of prazepam, which can lead to toxic effects. 5. Concurrent use of rifampin or carbamazepine may decrease the effectiveness of prazepam. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions that you have had to any medications, especially to prazepam or to other benzodiazepine tranquilizers (such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, and triazolam). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease, kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental depression, or mental illness. * This medicine can cause drowsiness. Your ability to perform tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or using potentially dangerous machinery, may be decreased. Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken. * Prazepam has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution. Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage without first consulting your doctor. It is also important not to stop this drug suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it for several weeks. Your doctor may reduce the dosage gradually. * This is a safe drug when used properly. When it is combined with other sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This type of medicine may increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three months of pregnancy. In addition, too much use of this medicine during the last six months of pregnancy may result in addiction of the fetus, leading to withdrawal side effects in the newborn. Also, use of this medicine during the last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in the infant. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. This medicine can pass into the breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in nursing infants. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.