Clonazepam

Overview of Clonazepam

Clonazepam is a generic drug as well as acts as an active ingredient in various branded medications such as Klonopin, Rivotril, and Klonopin Wafer. It is also called an anticonvulsant (used to treat epileptic seizures), anxiolytic (helps to decrease anxiety), sedative (CNS depressant), and muscle relaxant. Buy Clonazepam Online or nearby pharmacies to treat seizure disorder (epilepsy), NCSE (nonconvulsive status epilepticus), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and anxiety disorder. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been approved for treating panic disorders and epileptic seizures.

Pharmacological Effect of Clonazepam Medication

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is present in the central nervous system of the brain, which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Clonazepam is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that belongs to the class of drugs known as Benzodiazepines. This medicine helps to increase the activity of GABA.

Clonazepam is a modulator of GABA-A receptors, which is a ligand-gated chloride ion channel. Benzodiazepine facilitates the GABA to bind with its receptor, which helps to open Chloride ion channels. This enhances the inhibitory action of GABA and this decreases the excitability of neurons in the brain.

Clonazepam uses:

The uses of anti-anxiety Clonazepam are as follows:-

Medical Use:

• Seizures Disorder:- Clonazepam drug acts as a first-line treatment to treat different types of seizures, only for a short time.

          Non-convulsive status epilepticus:- It is a complex partial or absence seizure.

          Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome:- It is a serious form of epilepsy that appears in early childhood

• Panic Disorder – It is a mental and behavioral problem in which there is the occurrence of unforeseen panic attacks due to extreme fear, this includes sweating, irregular heartbeat, tremors, numbness, and feeling of suffocation. Clonazepam medicine helps to treat Panic disorders which may be with or without agoraphobia (a person feels an unsafe environment and no way to escape, which gives the feeling of helplessness and embarrassment)

Off-label use:

• REM Sleep Behavior Disorder:- It is a disorder in which a person acts out of their dreams while in the state of sleep.
• Restless Legs Syndrome:- It is a neurological problem that causes an urge to move legs while resting. It is due to an unpleasant sensation in the legs.
• Acute Mania:- It is a mental disorder that is distinguished by depression and the period in which mood gets elevated abnormally. This medication is an anticonvulsant as well and it has an antimanic effect.

Dose & Dosage Strength:

1) Dose Forms:

This anti-anxiety medicine acts as an active ingredient in  comes in the strengths of 

Klonopin 2 mg and Klonopin 1 mg. Also, the generic Clonazepam medication is available in the form of immediate-release form in the following dosage strengths, such as:

• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg
• 2 mg

It is also available in the form of tablets which are easily dissolved in the mouth (orally disintegrated tablets) tablets. It has the following strengths:-

• 0.125 mg
• 0.25 mg
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg
• 2 mg

2) Dosage strengths:

The dose and the strength of the Clonazepam’s dose are administered and altered by a healthcare provider. There are different doses for every disorder, such as:-

For Treating Seizures:-

For Adults:

In children whose weight is more than 30 kg and adults who are between 18 and 64 years, the starting dose is 0.5 mg. It can be taken three times a day. This dose is increased to 1 mg every third day unless seizures get closely controlled. 20 mg is the maximum dose in divided form.

For Geriatric:

The initial strength of the dose is the same as the adult’s dose.

For Children:

In children whose weight is below 30 kg, the starting dose is (0.01-0.03) mg per kg in a day. The maximum dose is 0.05 mg per kg in a day, which should be divided into 2 or 3 doses. The maximum dose should not be increased from 0.1 mg to 0.2 mg per day, which is divided into three doses.

To Treat Panic Disorder:-

For Adults (Above 18 to 64 years) 

The initial oral dose starts with 0.25 mg, two times in a day. This strength of dose is recommended only for three days. Then it is increased to 0.5 mg which can be taken twice a day. Doses can be increased and decreased by a doctor, and the maximum dose is 4 mg.

For Children (Below 18 years)

This medication is not recommended for children who are below 18 years.

For Geriatric

The dosage strength for older people who are above 64 years is the same as the starting dose for an adult.

Side Effects of Using Clonazepam Drug:

Common Side Effects:

• Trouble coordination (problem with walking)
• Fainting (dizziness)
• Lack of energy or tiredness (fatigue)
• Feeling sleepy (drowsiness)
• Memory problems such as hallucinations and cognitive impairment

Severe Side Effects

• Suicidal thoughts
• Extreme sadness (depression)
• Hallucination
• Sudden changes in mood, behavior, and personality
• Not able to breathe properly (shallow breathing)
• Confusion
• Blurred vision
• Allergic reactions like rashes and swollen face, throat and tongue
• Frequently occurrence of Seizures
• Anxious uneasiness
• Blood platelets get low–thrombocytopenia 

Note: For Clonazepam the U.S. FDA has given a box warning because it may cause detrimental effects on one’s health. For example, there is a risk of dependency, drug addiction and if taken with opioid medicines.

Precaution:

• If a person abruptly stops to take the drug, then it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
• It is advised not to take this medication with other drugs due to drug interaction which may cause respiratory problems and even may cause death.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking the drug because it may make you more dizzy.
• Before starting the treatment, one should inform their medical history to their doctor.
• Do not take this drug if you are allergic to Benzodiazepine.
• It is a prescription-only drug so, do not take the drug without a prescription from a doctor.