Precautions and warnings with clorazepate should be fully understood before beginning treatment. For example, tell your healthcare provider if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, kidney failure, or liver disease, as the drug may not be right for you. Precautions and warnings with clorazepate also include being aware of side effects, knowing what drug interactions are possible, and telling your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking it.

• Depression
• Glaucoma
• A history of drug or alcohol abuse (see Tranxene and Alcohol)
• Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
• Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
   

• Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
• Breastfeeding.
   

• The medication is a controlled substance, which means that it has the potential to be abused. There are special rules and regulations for prescribing and dispensing it. Clorazepate is generally not recommended for people with a history of alcohol or drug abuse (see Tranxene Addiction).
   
• Clorazepate can cause psychological and physical dependence. The risk of abuse and dependence is greater for those taking a higher clorazepate dosage for long periods of time (more than a few weeks). Because the medication can cause dependence, you should not stop taking it suddenly without first discussing it with your healthcare provider (see Tranxene Withdrawal).
   
• Clorazepate can cause severe drowsiness and difficulty breathing, which may be life threatening. This risk is increased when the medication is combined with alcohol, narcotics, or other medications or substances that cause drowsiness and sedation (see Drug Interactions With Clorazepate). You should not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the drug will affect you.
   
• Clorazepate may cause depression or worsen preexisting depression. Make sure your healthcare provider knows if you are depressed or have a history of depression before you begin treatment.
   
• Elderly people are more sensitive to the effects of clorazepate and may need to be started at a lower dose. The medication may increase the risk of falling, which is especially dangerous in elderly people (who often have weak or brittle bones).
   
• Sometimes, people react to clorazepate in a way that is opposite of what is usually expected. That is, they may become agitated, aggressive, and restless, and may have difficulty sleeping. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience these effects while taking the drug.
   
• Let your healthcare provider know if you have liver or kidney disease, as your body may not handle clorazepate as well as it should.
   
• Clorazepate is considered a pregnancy Category D medication. This means that it is probably not safe for use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of taking the drug while pregnant (see Tranxene and Pregnancy).
   
• Clorazepate passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Tranxene and Breastfeeding).