Precautions
Use of Librium should be avoided in individuals experiencing following conditions:
- Myasthenia gravis
- Acute intoxication with alcohol, narcotics, or other psychoactive substances
- Severe hypoventilation or decreased respiration
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis
- Severe sleep apnea
- Hypersensitivity or allergy to any drug in the benzodiazepine class
In the case of kidney impairment, the dose should be adjusted.
This medication should be used with extreme caution by seniors because of its long half-life.
This drug, in addition to other anxiolytics, has several interactions of which you should be aware. If you are prescribed this drug, ensure your pharmacist and/or doctor highlights the following interactions:
- Triprolidine: Both Triprolidine and Librium depress the central nervous system and cause excessive sedation. Monitor for increased central nervous system depressant effects during concomitant therapy.
- Oral contraceptives: Oral contraceptives decrease the metabolism of Librium and causes an increase in adverse and therapeutic effects of the drug.
- Sedatives or sleeping pills: These medications may cause severe sedation and may be fatal when taken with Librium.
- Carbamazepine, tricyclic antidepressants, phenytoin and theophylline: These drugs can decrease the effectiveness of Librium.
- Alcohol and caffeine: Avoid the intake of alcohol and excessive caffeine while taking this medication.
Additionally, the following drugs affect the metabolism of Librium and can cause toxicity if taken with the medication:
- Cimetidine
- Clozapine
- Fluconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Indinavir
- Nelfinavir
- Itraconazole
- Omeprazole
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Voriconazole
- Telithromycin
- Ethotoin
- Mephenytoin
- Fosphenytoin