Clobazam

What is clobazam?

Clobazam is a medicine called an anticonvulsant. It is used to control certain types of seizures.

Clobazam is an oral medication that is available as a tablet. You may hear clobazam called by its brand name Frisium.

Before giving clobazam to your child

Tell your doctor if your child is allergic to clobazam or any ingredient in the formulation.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. This medicine may not be right for your child if they have:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Glaucoma (eye disorder)
• Respiratory disorders (eg. asthma)
• Myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disease)
• Sleep apnea (pauses in breathing when you sleep)

How should I give my child clobazam?

Follow these instructions when giving your child clobazam:

• Give clobazam regularly, exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Avoid missing doses by giving your child the medicine at the same times each day.
• The tablets should be swallowed whole. If you need to, you may split or crush the tablet and mix it with water, applesauce, or chocolate pudding for administration.
• It can be given with or without food. Give it with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What should I do if my child misses a dose of clobazam?

If your child misses a dose of the medicine:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and give your child the next dose at the regular time.
• Give your child only one dose at a time.

What are the possible side effects of clobazam?

Call your doctor if your child continues to have any of these signs or symptoms:

• drowsiness or tiredness
• upset stomach
• dizziness or light-headedness
• irritability
• unsteadiness or clumsiness
• drooling
• difficulty sleeping
• weight gain
• headache
• cough
• constipation

Call your doctor immediately if your child has:

• confusion
• muscle weakness
• changes in behaviour
• blurred vision
• uncontrolled movements of the body, including eyes

What safety measures should you take when your child is using clobazam?

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with clobazam or in some cases the dose of clobazam or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter or herbal). Some medicines cause drowsiness and the dose of these medications may have to be adjusted when taken with clobazam. Examples include certain sleeping medicines, pain medicines, and other medications used to treat seizures.

What other important information should I know about clobazam?

• Before your child has any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking clobazam.
• Do not stop this medicine without first talking to your child's doctor or pharmacist. Stopping clobazam suddenly may cause symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, and an increase in seizures.
• Keep all medicines out of your child's sight and reach. Store clobazam at room temperature in a dry place.
• Make sure you have enough medicine on hand to last through weekends, holidays, or vacations.
  

Keep clobazam out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much clobazam, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.