Klonopin

Klonopin - Clonazepam

The prescription drug Clonazepam, sold under the brand name of Klonopin, is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Klonopin and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) which inhibits many of the activities of the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. Klonopin is also used to prevent certain types of seizures.

Klonopin is used for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. It is used for certain types of seizures, specifically petit mal seizures, akinetic seizures, and myoclonus, as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. For these seizure disorders, Klonopin may use alone or together with other medications. Klonopin is taken orally in tablet form. Dosage of Klonopin varies greatly depending on the needs of the patient. Tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 15° and 30°C (59-86°F). Klonopin, and all benzodiazepines, interact with other medications and drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics. Your doctor should be notified of such medications prior to taking Klonopin.

An important warning about Klonopin is that Klonopin and other benzodiazepines have been associated with fetal damage, including congenital malformations, when taken by pregnant women in their first trimester. Klonopin is best avoided in the first trimester, and probably throughout pregnancy. Also, like all benzodiazepines, Klonopin can cause physical dependence. Suddenly stopping therapy after a few months of daily therapy may be associated with a feeling of loss of self-worth, agitation, and insomnia. If Klonopin is taken continuously for longer than a few months, stopping therapy suddenly may produce seizures, tremors, muscle cramping, vomiting, and/or sweating. Therefore, discontinuation usually is accomplished by tapering the dose.

The most commonly noted side effects associated with Klonopin are sedation, which is reported in approximately 1 in 2 people (one-half of patients), dizziness (one-third of patients), weakness, and unsteadiness. Other side effects include a feeling of depression, loss of orientation, headache, and sleep disturbance. Rare side effects that your doctor should be notified of include abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality; agitation; behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle weakness; skin rash or itching; sore throat, fever, and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of body, including the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe); and the yellowing of the eyes or skin.