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.
|
