Digestive Health Irritable Bowel Syndrome Treatment Side Effects of Librax By Amber J. Tresca Amber J. Tresca Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 28, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH LinkedIn Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Librax was a brand name for a drug used to relax the muscles in the intestines and the bladder. This brand name is no longer available, but the combination of medications it contained, chlordiazepoxide and clidinium, is still available as a generic drug. It's frequently used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). GYRO PHOTOGRAPHY / amanaimagesRF / Getty Images Components of Librax Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines, sometimes called benzos, may be prescribed to treat tension or anxiety. The clidinium component is an anticholinergic. It relaxes the muscles in the gut and the bladder and prevents spasms. In addition, clidinium lowers the production of stomach acid. Important Things to Know Chlordiazepoxide/clidinium may have a sedative effect, which means that it may make people tired or drowsy. For that reason, it's often recommended that people not drive when taking it as well as avoid alcoholic beverages. This, of course, limits its usefulness as a medication for IBS or other chronic conditions. People with glaucoma, a bladder obstruction, or an enlarged prostate gland shouldn't use chlordiazepoxide/clidinium. Because of the benzo component, people who have had difficulty with drug addiction in the past might not be able to take this drug. Chlordiazepoxide/clidinium also shouldn't be taken along with other medications that affect the central nervous system, such as antidepressants. After taking the medication for a long time, some people might experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. For this reason, it's important to taper the use of chlordiazepoxide/clidinium down slowly, rather than stopping it altogether. Chlordiazepoxide/clidinium shouldn't be used by pregnant women in the first trimester because it has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects. Even after the first trimester, it isn't typically used in pregnant women. Women taking chlordiazepoxide/clidinium should talk to their healthcare provider if there is a possibility of becoming pregnant. It is also not typically recommended for women who are breastfeeding an infant. Common Side Effects Check with your healthcare provider if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: Drowsiness, coordination problems, or confusionDry mouthIncreased or decreased interest in sexIrregular menstrual periodsNauseaProblems starting to urinateSkin problemsSwelling Always Notify Your Healthcare Provider About These Side Effects Blurred visionConstipationEye painMental depressionRash or hivesSlow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or trouble breathingSore throat and feverTrouble sleepingUnusual excitement, nervousness, or irritabilityYellow eyes or skin Symptoms of Overdose ConfusionDifficulty urinatingDrowsiness (severe)Dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe)Fast heartbeatSlow reflexesUnusual warmth, dryness, and flushing of skin Post-Cessation Side Effects After you stop using this medicine, check with your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following side effects: Convulsions (seizures)Muscle crampsNausea or vomitingStomach crampsTrembling A Word From Verywell This information is meant only as a guideline; always consult a healthcare provider or pharmacist for complete information about prescription medications. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any unusual symptoms, be sure to check in with your healthcare provider. Frequently Asked Questions Is Librax still available by prescription? No, the brand name drug Librax (chlordiazepoxide/clidinium) was discontinued by its manufacturer Bausch. Chlordiazepoxide and clidinium capsules are available in generic form by prescription. Is there a generic version of Librax? Yes, Librax is available as generic capsules of chlordiazepoxide and clidinium. Generic Librax is produced by several different pharmaceutical companies. Can you take Librax during the day? It depends. Librax can make you drowsy. You shouldn't take it if you need to drive or go to work until you know how the medicine affects you. What happens when you stop taking Librax? If you have been taking Librax consistently for six months or more, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. Chlordiazepoxide, one of the two drugs in Librax, is a benzodiazepine. Stopping a benzodiazepine abruptly can cause grand mal seizures and delirium. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medication. They may provide a schedule to slowly taper your dose. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! One of the most challenging aspects of having IBS is trying to figure out what's safe to eat. Our recipe guide makes it easier. Sign up and get yours now! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Librax: uses, dosage, side effects. Drugs.com. Food and Drug Administration. Librax label. Food and Drug Administration. Librax label. Food and Drug Administration. Librax label. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Clidinium and Chlordiazepoxide. Additional Reading Food and Drug Administration. Librax label. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Clidinium and Chlordiazepoxide.