Drug General Information (ID: DDI5YGRUKW)
Drug Name			Valproic acid		Drug Info		Clonazepam		Drug Info
Drug Type		Small molecule				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Anticonvulsants				Anticonvulsants
Structure

Mechanism of Valproic acid-Clonazepam Interaction (Severity Level: Moderate)
Additive CNS depression effects Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Valproic acid				Clonazepam
Mechanism		CNS depression effects				CNS depression effects
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		CNS depression effects
		Factor Description		CNS depressants are drugs that inhibit or suppress brain activity and can reduce mental and physical processes. Excessive CNS depression can lead to decreased heart rate, slow breathing (less than 10 breaths per minute), extreme confusion or loss of memory, nausea and vomiting, poor judgment, blue lips or fingertips, irritability and aggression, and clammy or cold skin.
Mechanism Description		Additive CNS depression effects by the combination of Valproic acid and Clonazepam

Recommended Action
Management		Monitoring for altered efficacy and safety is recommended if valproic acid (or its derivatives) and clonazepam are used together. alternative therapy may be appropriate if significant side effects or loss of seizure control occur.

References
1	Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics.".
2	Jeavons PM, Clark JE, Maheshwari MC "Treatment of generalized epilepsies of childhood and adolescence with sodium valproate("epilim")." Dev Med Child Neurol 19 (1977): 9-25
3	Watson WA "Interaction between clonazepam and sodium valproate." N Engl J Med 300 (1979): 678-9