Clorazepate dipotassium

What is this medication for?

• Adjunctive anticonvulsant (with phenobarbital); anxiety/phobia behavior disorders — tolerance develops more slowly than clonazepam
• Anxiolytic

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• Sedation, wobbliness/unsteadiness (Most prevalent)
• Paradoxical excitation (Possible (class))

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Benzo hypersensitivity, narrow-angle glaucoma, significant liver disease
• has or has had: Extreme caution in aggressive (esp. fear-induced) animals; myasthenia gravis; phenobarbital interaction (mutual metabolism — monitor levels)

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Phenobarbital
  • Other CNS depressants
  • Omeprazole/acid suppression (human)

Storage and handling

C-into a vein controlled. Do not store compounded suspension in PVC; stability limited.

Good to know

• Prodrug pharmacology = slower onset but slower tolerance vs clonazepam's fast-acting fast-fading profile — the trade that defines their different niches.
• Not a status-epilepticus drug (conversion takes time) — maintenance adjunct only.
• The phenobarbital pairing needs level-checking in both directions.