Clofritis

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Clofritis

Medically reviewed

Rosario Oropesa

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Clofritis

Property Description
Active ingredient Clobazam
Form Oral tablet, suspension, and soluble film
Pharmacological class Benzodiazepine derivative, Anticonvulsant
Common use (General) Stabilizing central nervous system activity
Origin Synthetic chemical compound

Clofritis is the trade name for the prescription medicine containing the active substance Clobazam. This compound is classified as a benzodiazepine derivative and its primary pharmacological role is as an anticonvulsant. Pharmacological studies confirm its established role in providing central nervous system stabilization.

Definition, Type, and Active Composition

The medication is chemically classified as a 1,5-benzodiazepine, a structural designation that distinguishes it from the more widely known 1,4-benzodiazepines. Clobazam is a synthetic chemical compound, meaning it is manufactured through chemical synthesis rather than being derived from natural or herbal sources. As a single-active-ingredient product, the medication’s core therapeutic action relies solely on the effects of Clobazam. Clobazam is primarily classified as an anxiolytic and antiepileptic agent.

Pharmacological Classification and General Purpose

Clofritis belongs to the class of medications known as Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, which function by moderating electrical activity in the brain. Its anticonvulsant property is achieved by acting as a positive allosteric modulator on the brain’s GABAA receptors, thereby enhancing the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. This mechanism creates a systemic calming and stabilizing effect on nerve cells, recognized in clinical practice for reducing the likelihood of uncontrolled electrical firing.

Available Pharmaceutical Forms and Delivery

The Clobazam compound is formulated for oral administration and is supplied in several high-level dosage forms, providing significant delivery flexibility. These forms include conventional scored tablets, a liquid oral suspension, and a specialized oral soluble film. The availability of the oral soluble film, in particular, distinguishes Clofritis by addressing practical ingestion challenges, ensuring consistency of medication delivery across the intended user population.

What side effects are possible with Clofritis?

Clofritis is a medication whose safety profile is strictly defined by government regulatory authorities based on clinical trial data and post-marketing surveillance. This section summarizes the possible side effects and key safety considerations as documented in official prescribing information.

Adverse Reaction Scope

The adverse reactions associated with Clofritis are categorized by the frequency of their occurrence, consistent with the classification framework used by regulatory bodies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These reactions are grouped by the System-Organ-Class (SOC) that they primarily affect, which is a standardized system for organizing medical terminology.

Common Adverse Reactions typically affect the nervous system, with reports of somnolence (drowsiness) and headache being frequently documented. Gastrointestinal disturbances are also commonly reported, including nausea and dry mouth.

Serious Adverse Reactions have been documented and are considered clinically significant events, requiring immediate medical attention. Regulatory labeling highlights the potential for severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and certain effects on the cardiovascular system, such as changes in blood pressure or heart rhythm, though these are typically classified as uncommon or rare.

Safety-Related Restrictions

Official labeling contains population-specific safety considerations. For instance, use in elderly patients may require particular caution due to increased sensitivity to sedative effects. Safety-related restrictions often advise caution when operating heavy machinery or driving until the effects of the medication are known, particularly due to the risk of drowsiness.

Some safety patterns may be time- or duration-related, with sedative effects potentially being more pronounced during the initial phase of treatment. The documented safety data underscores the structured, evidence-based approach used by regulatory bodies to communicate the established risks of the medicine to prescribers and patients.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Scope

The official regulatory profile for Clofritis overdose is defined by signs of Exaggerated Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression, which primarily include drowsiness, confusion, lethargy, and impaired coordination (ataxia). Physiological systems affected include the CNS, Respiratory System (potential respiratory depression), and Cardiovascular System (potential hypotension). The greatest risk of profound sedation, coma, and death is documented when the drug is used with other CNS depressants, particularly Opioids. Increased caution is noted for patients with hepatic or renal impairment.


Overdose Classifications (High-Level)

The overdose carries a risk of life-threatening outcomes. Although Flumazenil is the general benzodiazepine antidote, its use in Clobazam toxicity has not been well established.


Official Overdose Statements and Emergency Response

  • Life-threatening outcomes documented in regulatory sources include respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death, especially when Clobazam is taken with other CNS depressants.
  • Seek emergency medical care immediately is the mandated action for severe symptoms, particularly slowed or difficult breathing or unresponsiveness.
  • The necessary intervention involves symptomatic and supportive treatment, requiring monitoring measures such as airway protection and hemodynamic monitoring in a hospital setting.

Connection to the overall overdose profile (2–4 sentences): Regulatory documents define the Clofritis overdose profile by detailing manifestations of progressive CNS depression that can escalate to severe cardiopulmonary compromise. The risk for these serious outcomes is explicitly linked to concomitant use with other depressants like opioids. The official guidance on when to seek help is strictly based on the appearance of life-threatening signs such as slow breathing or unresponsiveness, mandating immediate emergency medical intervention and supportive care.

Therapeutic Uses of Clofritis

Clofritis (Clobazam) is applied across domains where supportive symptom management is appropriate; it is commonly used with other medications to assist with managing seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS).

This medication is applied in conditions characterized by periods of heightened symptoms, primarily focusing on support for chronic, severe, refractory seizure disorders and the short-term supportive relief for acute disabling anxiety. It is used to help address symptom clusters related to symptoms of increased neurological or muscular activity. For patients with complex epilepsy, Clofritis plays a role in managing conditions presenting with significant symptomatic burden. It supports a reduction in the frequency of severe motor seizures, such as atonic seizures and tonic seizures. This may assist with coping more steadily by contributing to easing the overall symptom load.

Quick Fact: Relief for Heightened Symptoms
Primary Focus: Support for chronic, difficult-to-treat seizures in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.
Secondary Focus: Short-term supportive management of acute, disabling anxiety.
Benefit: Supports general well-being by contributing to easing the overall symptom load and assisting with maintaining functional stability.

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility for Clofritis (Clobazam): Official Regulatory Rules

Official regulatory documents strictly define the population groups permitted to use Clofritis and those who are formally restricted or prohibited.


Populations with Absolute Contraindications

Use is strictly prohibited for patients with a known hypersensitivity to Clobazam or any component of the formulation. The European prescribing label additionally contraindicates use in patients with severe respiratory insufficiency, myasthenia gravis, sleep apnoea syndrome, or severe hepatic insufficiency.


Age and Organ Function Restrictions

Clofritis is officially established for patients 2 years of age and older for the adjunctive treatment of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Safety and effectiveness have not been established for children younger than two years. Use is restricted for geriatric patients due to higher plasma concentrations. Patients with hepatic impairment or those who are CYP2C19 Poor Metabolizers require conditional use and specific regulatory adjustments. Use is not established for populations with severe renal impairment or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).


Pregnancy and Lactation

Use in pregnant and lactating women is restricted. The medicine may cause fetal harm, and the active substance is present in breast milk, necessitating a formal risk-benefit assessment as stipulated in the official prescribing information.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory information for Clofritis (Clobazam) documents interaction patterns across pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic domains, establishing required usage constraints.

Category Official Regulatory Information for Clofritis (Clobazam)
Medicinal product categories with documented interactions CNS Depressants (including opioids, certain sedatives, anticonvulsants); Strong or Moderate CYP2C19 Inhibitors; CYP2D6 Substrates; Hormonal Contraceptives.
Specific interacting medicines (if explicitly listed) Opioids, Fluconazole, Fluvoxamine, Omeprazole, Ticlopidine, Cannabidiol (CBD).
Mechanistic basis of interactions (only if stated in label) Pharmacokinetic: Clobazam is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6. The active metabolite is formed via CYP2C19 and CYP3A4. Pharmacodynamic: Additive CNS depression with other CNS depressants.
Timing-based interaction rules (if applicable) Hormonal Contraceptives: Nonhormonal birth control must be used during treatment and for 28 days following the final dose.
Population-specific interaction notes (if applicable) CYP2C19 Poor Metabolizers: These patients exhibit increased exposure to the active metabolite (N-desmethylclobazam). Hepatic Impairment: Slower clearance may increase potential exposure.
Interaction-related restrictions Alcohol (Ethanol): Co-administration causes an approximate 50% increase in Clobazam blood levels. Cannabidiol (CBD): May increase the risk of adverse reactions due to elevated N-desmethylclobazam exposure. Food: No significant interaction.

The regulatory profile defines constraints for co-administration. A Boxed Warning addresses the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression from pharmacodynamic potentiation when co-administered with opioids. Pharmacokinetic interference via CYP enzymes necessitates adjustments for co-administered CYP2D6 substrates and for Clobazam itself when co-administered with CYP2C19 inhibitors. These established constraints, including the temporal restriction for hormonal contraceptives, are designed to manage documented exposure changes and potentiation effects.

Mechanism of Action

How Clofritis Works

Targeting Inflammatory Mediator Pathways

This domain covers how Clofritis engages mechanisms that modulate signaling sequences within immune cells, specifically by acting on key intracellular components like certain kinases or transcription factors. By initiating or suppressing these signaling sequences, the drug restricts the sustained production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in an altered profile of pathway activity.

Modulating Innate Immune Recognition

Clofritis also acts within domains involving the initial detection of foreign substances by the innate immune system. The drug modifies the activity of specific Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs), which bind to Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs). This mechanism restricts the full activation of the early alarm signal, which results in subsequent changes in local physiological processes.

Dosage and Administration Information

Administration and Dosing Schedule

Clofritis is designed solely for oral administration and is available as a scored tablet, an oral suspension, and a specialized soluble film. The general usage pattern involves taking the medicine in two divided doses per day, although a single dose may be taken if the total daily dose is 5 mg. Standard practice involves taking the largest portion of the total daily dose in the evening. Treatment is not stopped abruptly; upon discontinuation, a gradual dose reduction (tapering) is required, typically achieved by decreasing the daily amount by 5 mg to 10 mg per week. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible unless the next dose is due, in which case the missed dose is skipped to prevent a doubled amount.


Standard and Adjusted Regimens

Initial dosing for conditions like Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in adults typically begins at 10 mg daily, administered in two divided doses. Subsequent increases, known as titration, must proceed slowly, with dose adjustments occurring no faster than once per week and up to a maximum adult dose of 40 mg daily. Dosing recommendations may vary by indication; for instance, supportive use for acute anxiety is limited to the shortest possible duration, generally not exceeding four weeks. Specific populations, including older adults, patients with hepatic impairment, or poor metabolizers, are generally instructed to start at 5 mg daily and target a lower overall maintenance dose than the standard adult regimen.


Preparation and Use Conditions

The standard tablets can be taken with or without food. For administration flexibility, the tablets may be crushed and mixed into soft food. The oral suspension must be shaken vigorously before measurement, utilizing the specific dosing syringe provided with the product. The specialized soluble film is administered by placing it on the tongue to dissolve and must not be taken with any liquid.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Clofritis

This section details the structure of the clinical evidence available for Clofritis (Clobazam) in its studied uses. It describes the types of trials that were conducted, the outcomes researchers chose to measure, and the patient groups that were observed, without making claims about effectiveness or suitability for any individual.


Evidence Supporting Use in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)

Clinical research for Clofritis has been conducted in the context of Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), a condition characterized by fluctuating or episodic manifestations of seizures. The primary research involved randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (RCTs), a design used to reduce external influences during the measurement of study outcomes.

Clofritis was studied for use as an add-on treatment alongside patients’ existing anti-seizure medicines. Studies were observed in a broad age range, including children as young as 2 years old, up to adults aged 60. The studies primarily examined outcomes related to episodic or acute changes, such as the weekly rate of drop seizures. The findings from these trials describe patterns observed in the studies regarding the measurements of drop seizure frequency in the group receiving the medicine versus the group receiving the placebo.


Evidence Supporting Use in Acute Distressing Anxiety

Clofritis was studied for use in the short-term supportive management of severe, distressing anxiety. The evidence in this area relies more heavily on historical clinical data and open-label clinical trials (studies that did not include a comparison group). Research examined outcomes related to physiological strain or stress and symptomatic relief in adult populations. Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations during periods of increased symptom activity. However, this historical research often lacks modern comparative evidence against other anti-anxiety medicines currently available.


Areas of Uncertainty and Remaining Research Gaps

Evidence highlights what is known — and what is still uncertain—about the medicine's research profile. Several research limitations are noted in the regulatory evidence:

  • The high-quality LGS research results apply only to the populations studied using the medicine as an add-on (adjunctive) therapy. Evidence for its use as the sole anti-seizure medicine (monotherapy) is uncertain.
  • Data for certain groups remain insufficient, including for pregnant populations and those with severe kidney or liver impairment.

Key Studies & References

  1. Clobazam (oral route) - NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information
  2. Clobazam - LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (NIH)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Clofritis (FAQ)

Q: Can I take my dose of Clofritis at any time of day?

Official product information generally describes the total daily amount of Clofritis as being taken in two divided doses per day. To help manage activity within the central nervous system, regulatory documents often suggest that the largest portion of the total daily dose is taken in the evening.

Q: What are the most common side effects of Clofritis?

The most frequently documented adverse reactions in official safety information generally affect the nervous system and the stomach or digestive tract. Common reports include somnolence (drowsiness) and headache, along with gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and dry mouth.

Q: If I miss a dose of Clofritis, should I take it when I remember?

Official instructions typically state that a missed dose may be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, if it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose, the regulatory advice is to skip the missed dose in this instance. Skipping the missed dose is noted as important to prevent the doubling of the medicine amount.

Q: What color are the Clofritis tablets?

Official prescribing information describes the physical appearance of the tablets. For example, the 10 mg tablets are typically white to off-white, round, flat-faced, bevel-edged, and feature a functional score line on both sides.

Q: What is the half-life of Clofritis in the body?

The half-life refers to the time it takes for the concentration of the medicine to reduce by half in the body. The mean elimination half-life of the active ingredient, Clobazam, is approximately 36 to 42 hours. Its active metabolite, N-desmethylclobazam, is noted to have a longer half-life, approximately 71 to 82 hours.

Q: Can Clofritis cause weight gain or weight loss?

Official information regarding possible side effects includes increased appetite, which was reported in clinical trials. However, regulatory documents do not list weight gain or weight loss specifically as a common adverse reaction associated with this medication.

Q: Is Clofritis a controlled substance, and what schedule is it?

Yes, Clofritis (Clobazam) is recognized as a federally controlled substance by government authorities. It is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for abuse, misuse, and dependence.

How should Clofritis be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Clofritis?

Clofritis (Clobazam) must be stored under specific environmental and safety conditions as required by regulatory labeling.

Official Storage Conditions

The medication should be stored in a closed container at room temperature, generally not exceeding 25 C (77 F). It is essential to keep the product from freezing and protect it from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. As a controlled substance, Clofritis must be stored securely and kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Stability and Disposal

The liquid oral suspension must be discarded 90 days after the bottle is opened. Unused or expired Clofritis must not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Disposal should be handled in accordance with local requirements for unused medicine, and patients should consult a healthcare professional for guidance.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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