$Unique_ID{BRK02101}
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$Title{PRAZEPAM}
$Subject{Centrax (Parke-Davis)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PRAZEPAM
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Centrax (Parke-Davis)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Benzodiazepine sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     prazepam
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg)
     Tablets (10 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Prazepam is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety.  It is not clear
exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve anxiety by acting as a
depressant of the central nervous system.  This drug is currently used by many
people to relieve nervousness.  It is effective for this purpose for short
periods, but it is important to try to remove the cause of the anxiety as
well.

TREATMENT

     Prazepam should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor.  It can be
taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs.  Do not take
this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may retard its absorption.
     If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose, take the
missed dose immediately if you remember within an hour.  If more than an hour
has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled dose.  Do
not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bitter taste in mouth, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness
(after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue, flushing,
headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, sweating, or
vomiting.  As your body adjusts to the medicine, these side effects should
disappear.
     To relieve constipation during therapy with this medication, increase the
amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and
whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink more water (unless your doctor
directs you to do otherwise).
     Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
chips.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred or double vision, chest pain, depression, difficulty in urinating,
fainting, falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, mouth sores, nightmares,
palpitations, rash, shortness of breath, slurred speech, sore throat,
uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness, or yellowing
of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Prazepam interacts with a number of other types of medications:
     1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
other sedative drugs, central nervous system depressants (such as
antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics,
medicines for seizures, and phenothiazine tranquilizers), or antidepressants.
     2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of levodopa.
     3. This drug may increase the effects of phenytoin.
     4. Disulfiram, isoniazid, and cimetidine can increase the blood levels of
prazepam, which can lead to toxic effects.
     5. Concurrent use of rifampin or carbamazepine may decrease the
effectiveness of prazepam.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions that you have
had to any medications, especially to prazepam or to other benzodiazepine
tranquilizers (such as alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam,
flurazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam, and triazolam).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
depression, or mental illness.
     * This medicine can cause drowsiness.  Your ability to perform tasks that
require alertness, such as driving a car or using potentially dangerous
machinery, may be decreased.  Appropriate caution should, therefore, be taken.
     * Prazepam has the potential for abuse and must be used with caution.
Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase the dosage without first
consulting your doctor.  It is also important not to stop this drug suddenly
if you have been taking it in large amounts or if you have used it for several
weeks.  Your doctor may reduce the dosage gradually.
     * This is a safe drug when used properly.  When it is combined with other
sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  This type of medicine
may increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
months of pregnancy.  In addition, too much use of this medicine during the
last six months of pregnancy may result in addiction of the fetus, leading to
withdrawal side effects in the newborn.  Also, use of this medicine during the
last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and
breathing difficulties in the infant.  Tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  This medicine can pass into the breast milk and
cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in
nursing infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
