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Rivotril belongs to the group of medicines
called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow
down the nervous system).
Rivotril is used to relieve anxiety.
However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or
tension caused by the stress of everyday life.
Rivotril is used in the treatment of other
conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve
muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures
to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. The
benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by
your doctor.
Rivotril may be habit-forming (causing
mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or
in high doses.
Special precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must
be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your
doctor will make. For Rivotril , the following
should be considered:
Allergies� tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to Rivotril .
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Rivotril may
contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy� Rivotril has been
reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the
first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been
reported with the other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since
all of the benzodiazepines are related.
Benzodiazepines given just before or during labor may cause weakness
in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially
by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause breathing
problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature
problems in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding� Rivotril is used to
relieve anxiety. may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness,
difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers
taking these medicines.
Children� Most of the side effects of these
medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very
young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the
effects of benzodiazepines.
Older adults� Most of the side effects of
these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually
more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime
drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition,
falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients
taking benzodiazepines.
Other medicines� although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In
these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary.
Other medical problems� the presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you
tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)�Dependence
on benzodiazepines may be more likely to develop
Brain disease�CNS depression and other side effects
of benzodiazepines may be more likely to occur
Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung
disease or
Hyperactivity or
Mental depression or
Mental illness (severe) or
Myasthenia gravis or
Porphyria or
Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during
sleep)�Benzodiazepines may make these conditions worse
Epilepsy or history of seizures�Although some
benzodiazepines are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly
stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures
Glaucoma, acute narrow angle�Benzodiazepines should
NOT be used if you have this condition.
Glaucoma, open angle�Benzodiazepines can be used but
your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.
Kidney or liver disease�Higher blood levels of
benzodiazepines may result, increasing the chance that side effects will
occur
Side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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 as soon as possible if any of the following
side effects occur:
Less common
- Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly);
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ; lack of memory of
events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more
common with triazolam); mental depression
Rare
- Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense
of reality ; agitation; behavior changes, including
aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or
outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures);
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not
there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle
weakness; skin rash or itching ; sore throat, fever,
and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in
mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of
body, including the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising ;
unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ; unusual
tiredness or weakness (severe); yellow eyes or skin
Symptoms of overdose
- Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures);
drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow
heartbeat; slow reflexes; slurred speech (continuing)
; staggering; troubled breathing ; weakness
(severe)
Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each
of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of
them. All of the benzodiazepines are similar, so any of the above side
effects may occur with any of these medicines.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.
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