Clobazam

Information about Clobazam

Clobazam is a benzodiazepine that is used as an anticonvulsant in the therapy of severe childhood epilepsy. 

Clobazam_structure

Liver safety of Clobazam

Therapy with clobazam has not been associated with serum aminotransferase elevations, and clinically apparent liver injury from clobazam has yet to be reported and must be rare, if it occurs at all. 

Mechanism of action of Clobazam

Clobazam (kloe' ba zam) is a unique 1,5 benzodiazepine which is used in the United States as an anticonvulsant, but is available in other countries for therapy of anxiety as well as epilepsy.  The anticonvulsant activity of clobazam appears to be mediated by its ability to enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) medicated inhibition of synaptic transmission via binding to the GABA-A receptor. 

FDA approval information for Clobazam

Clobazam was approved for use in the United States in 2011 as an anticonvulsant to be used either alone or in combination with other agents as therapy of the severe form of childhood epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. 

Dosage and administration for Clobazam

Clobazam is available in tablets of 5, 10 and 20 mg under the brand name Onfi in the United States and Frisium and Urbanol elsewhere.  The recommended initial dose is 5 mg once or twice daily, with subsequent increases to a usual maintenance dose of 20 mg twice daily.  The dose should be increased and tapered gradually. 

Side effects of Clobazam

The most common side effects are dose related and include dizziness, somnolence, impaired concentration, nervousness, aggression, antegrade amnesia, headache, fatigue, nausea and weakness.  Clobazam can also lead to physical dependence and sudden discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms and rebound seizure activity.

• Dailymed label info on Clobazam
• FDA Clobazam