Librium Side Effects and
Special Warnings
What
Librium side effects may be expected?
While specific Librium side
effects cannot be anticipated, if any develop or change in intensity you should
contact your physician immediately. Only your doctor can determine if you need
to continue taking this antianxiety medication if you experience any Librium
side effects.
Librium
side effects may include:
Confusion, constipation,
drowsiness, fainting, increased or decreased sex drive, liver problems, lack of
muscle coordination, minor menstrual irregularities, nausea, skin rash or
eruptions, swelling due to fluid retention, yellow eyes and skin
Librium
side effects that may be due to rapid decrease or abrupt withdrawal include:
Abdominal muscle cramps,
convulsions, exaggerated feeling of depression, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors
and vomiting
Special
warnings in addition to Librium side effects:
Librium can possibly cause
you to become drowsy or less alert, therefore you should not drive or operate
heavy machinery until you are well aware of the Librium side effects. If you
have a history of depression or are currently depressed, you should contact your
physician prior to taking this antianxiety medication. Also, this drug may
cause children to be less alert as well. If you have a hyperactive, aggressive
child taking this medication, you should talk to your doctor immediately if you
notice contrary reactions such as excitement, stimulation or acute rage. Also,
contact your doctor immediately before taking Librium if you're being treated
for porphyria, (a rare metabolic disorder), or kidney or liver disease.
Possible
food drug interactions in addition to Librium side effects:
Librium will intensify or
cause an additive effect when taken with alcohol because it is a central nervous
system depressant. You should never drink alcohol when taking this anti-anxiety
medication. If Librium is taken with other medications, the effects of the
medications can be increased, decreased or in other ways possibly altered. You
should always talk with your physician prior to taking or combining Librium with
the following:
-
Antacids such as Maalox
and Mylanta
-
Antidepressant drugs known
as MAO inhibitors including Nardil and Parnate
-
Antipsychotic medications
such as chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine
-
Barbiturates such as
Phenobarbital
-
Blood thinning drugs such
as Coumadin
-
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
-
Disulfiram (Antabuse)
-
Levodopa (Larodopa)
-
Narcotic pain medicines
such as Demerol and Percocet
-
Oral contraceptives
Librium side effects should
be noted and reported to your physician immediately. You should never disregard
negative interactions with other medications or Librium side effects.
Information provided by
The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs - Sixth Edition
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
