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clonazepam (Klonopin) Side Effect, Dosage & Withdrawal Symptoms

What is clonazepam, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?

  • Clonazepam is an
    anti-anxiety medication in the
    benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes
    diazepam (Valium),
    alprazolam (Xanax),
    lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others.
    Clonazepam 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) that inhibits
    brain activity. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to
    anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. Clonazepam is primarily used for
    treating
    panic disorder and preventing certain
    types of seizures.
  • The FDA
    approved clonazepam in June 1975.

What brand names are available for clonazepam?

Klonopin

Is clonazepam available as a generic drug?

GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes

Do I need a prescription for clonazepam?

Yes

What are the uses for clonazepam?

Clonazepam is used for:

  • The treatment of panic disorder
  • Certain types of seizures, specifically petit mal seizures, akinetic seizures, and myoclonus, as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Clonazepam may be used alone or together with other medications for these seizure disorders.
  • The short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety.




QUESTION

Panic attacks are repeated attacks of fear that can last for several minutes.
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What are the side effects of clonazepam?

The most common side effects associated with clonazepam
are sedation, which is reported in approximately half of patients. Dizziness is
reported in one-third of patients.

Other common side effects include:

Other serious side effects of clonazepam include:

Other serious adverse reactions:

  • Antiepileptic medications have been associated with an increased risk of
    suicidal thinking and behavior. Anyone considering the use of antiepileptic
    drugs must balance this risk of
    suicide with the clinical need for the
    antiepileptic drug. Patients who begin antiepileptic therapy should be closely
    observed for clinical worsening,
    suicidal thoughts or unusual changes in
    behavior.

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What is the dosage for clonazepam?

The dose of clonazepam is tailored to the patient's needs.

  • For
    seizures in adults the initial dose is 1.5 mg daily in 3 divided doses.
  • Dosage
    may be increased by 0.5 to 1 mg daily every 3 days until seizures are controlled
    or side effects preclude further increases in dose.
  • The maximum dose is 20 mg
    daily. The initial dose for panic disorders is 0.25 mg twice daily.
  • The dose may
    be increased to the target dose of 1 mg daily after 3 days.

Which drugs or supplements interact with clonazepam?

  • Clonazepam, like all other benzodiazepines, accentuates
    the effects of other drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as
    alcohol,
    barbiturates, and narcotics and leads to increased sedation.

Is clonazepam safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

What else should I know about clonazepam?

What preparations of clonazepam are available?

  • Tablets: 0.5, 1, and 2 mg;
  • Disintegrating tablets: 0.125, 0.25,
    0.5, 1, and 2 mg.
How should I keep clonazepam stored?

Tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C
(59 F and 86 F).

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