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Clobazam

Supportive Care

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What is clobazam?

Clobazam (also called Onfi®) is used to treat certain types of seizures. It may be given for other reasons. Talk with your doctor. Clobazam is available as a 10 mg and 20 mg tablet or a liquid suspension that is taken by mouth.

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Possible side effects

Most common

  • Clumsiness, trouble with coordination, weakness
  • Hard stools (constipation)
  • Feeling dizzy, drowsy, or sleepy
  • Drooling
  • Fever
  • Vomiting (throwing up)
  • Cough


 

If you have any of these side effects, tell the doctor right away:
 

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Short of breath
  • Fever
  • Change in balance
  • Feeling confused
  • Seizures that are different, worse, or occur more often after starting this medicine
  • Feeling very tired or weak
  • Pain when passing urine
  • Slurred speech
  • Not able to sleep
  • Feeling very dizzy or passing out
  • Feeling very sleepy
  • Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
  • Feeling confused or unusually excited, nervous, or irritable
  • Feeling depressed or anxious or having thoughts of hurting yourself or others
  • Seeing things that are not there (hallucinating)

 

Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck.

Not all patients who take clobazam will experience these side effects. Common side effects are bolded, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Find more information on side effects.

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Tips for patients and families

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you are taking this medicine. This includes doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or are breast-feeding a baby.
  • Some medicines can affect how clobazam works. Tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following:
    • Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control might not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use an extra form of birth control, like a condom, when taking this medicine. Continue for 28 days after the medicine is stopped.
    • Fluconazole
    • Fluvoxamine
    • Omeprazole (Prilosec®)
    • Ticlopidine
  • Birth control pills
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • Do not change the dose or stop taking without first talking to your doctor. This could cause seizures. If you need to stop this medicine, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by the doctor.
  • Avoid tasks or actions that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Talk with the doctor before taking other medicines, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products that may slow your actions.

Drug at Home:

Clobazam may be taken with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

Oral tablet:

  • Take the mixed drug right away. Do not store for use at a later time.

Oral liquid suspension:

  • Shake well before use.
  • Use an oral syringe to measure the dose of this liquid medicine.
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Always check the medication label. Many medicines look the same. Do not take any new medicine, including over-the counter medicines or supplements, without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what to do in the case of a missed dose, allergic reaction, or medical emergency. 

This information is not intended to be a complete guide and is not a substitute for talking with your provider. Medicine names, appearance, formulas, or availability may vary by clinic location. Always follow the instructions given by your care team.

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