Clonazepam

Clonazepam, widely sold under the brand name Klonopin (or Rivotril), is a long-acting, high-potency benzodiazepine used primarily to treat seizure disorders and panic disorders. It is also frequently used for short-term management of acute anxiety and various neurological conditions.

Brand Names: Klonopin, Rivotril
Generic Name: Clonazepam
This medication is not meant for treatment without a specialist's intervention

Common Uses:
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the activity of a naturally occurring chemical in the brain. Clonazepam is used alone or along with other medications to treat convulsive disorders such as epilepsy. It is also prescribed for panic disorder unexpected attacks of overwhelming panic accompanied by fear of recurrence. Clonazepam works best when there is a constant amount in the bloodstream. To keep blood levels as constant as possible, take your doses at regularly spaced intervals and try not to miss any.


How to Take:
Before start taking any new medicine, please consult a doctor. The starting dose should be no more than 1.5 mg per day, divided into 3 doses. Your doctor may increase your daily dosage by 0.5 to 1 mg every 3 days until your seizures are controlled or the side effects become too bothersome. The maximum dose per day is 20 mg. 

Warning and Precautions:
Clonazepam may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or difficulty with coordination. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Clonazepam with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
Clonazepam may cause you to lose consciousness if you have a history of seizures. Use Clonazepam with caution. Do not perform tasks that could be unsafe for you or others if you should lose consciousness (e.g., driving, swimming, running heavy machinery). Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (e.g., sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Clonazepam; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Clonazepam if it is used for seizures. 

Important:
Avoid Clonazepam if at all possible during the first 3 months of pregnancy; there is a risk of birth defects. When taken later in pregnancy, the drug can cause other problems, such as withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Clonazepam appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Mothers taking Clonazepam should not breastfeed.

Possible Side Effects:
Any of the medicine can cause side effects. If the side effects occur, seek medical attention or consult your doctor to get more information. Anyway, such common side effects may bother you:  behaviour problems, drowsiness, lack of muscular coordination. Seek medical attention if any of these side effects occur: chest pain, allergic reactions, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fainting, irregular or slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, unusual stomach pain.

Missed Dose:
If your doctor gave you strict instructions not to miss a dose and if you missed one, take the missed dose as soon as you have remembered. If it is time for your next dose, skip it and continue taking you medicine regularly. Do not double the medicine. It can cause severe side effects.

Overdose:
Almost any medicine taken in excess doses without consultation with a doctor can cause an overdose. Symptoms of overdose may include: coma, confusion, sleepiness, slowed reaction time. If you suspect an overdose, contact your emergency room immediately.

More Information:
The information given above is a summary. Your doctor can provide more information about Clonazepam. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store the medication with an end term of its storage.