In the USA, most people are dealing with health issues like cardiovascular diseases, chronic disorders, etc. Apart from these health issues, there are some other serious problems like seizures, convulsions, etc., which are nerve-related, as well as sleeping and anxiety disorders. These numbers are rising day by day and it is affecting our lives, physically as well as mentally. The reason for this may be due to unhealthy habits like physical inactivity, lack of exercise, unbalanced diet, sleep deprivation, etc. Today’s blog is about two medicines Restoril vs Clonazepam. You will get to know about these medications, their similarities, and differences which will be categorized on the basis of different criteria like uses, reason for their prescription, their function, etc.
What is Restoril?
This medicine is prescribed for those patients who are dealing with sleeping problems. Restioril drug has US FDA permission to treat insomnia for a short duration. It is labeled as a controlled substance of Schedule IV. Its medicinal class is Benzodiazepines in which Temazepam acts as an active component in this branded drug.
What is Clonazepam?
It acts as a salt composition in branded medications like Rivotril, KlonoPin, and KlonoPin Wafer. This medication is prescribed to prevent and treat seizures and panic disorder. Its drug class is a Benzodiazepine and it is considered as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act.
Mechanism of Action of Both Medications
Both medicines fall under the category of the drug class known as Benzodiazepine. It has sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties. These medicines increase the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA-A) in the brain.
After activation of the GABA-A which is ligand-gated Cl channels, it increases Chloride influx that leads to hyperpolarization. The GABA is a neurotransmitter which slows down the nervous system activity in the Central Nervous System
This is how these drugs produce calming effects and help to reduce the effects of seizures, panic disorder, and insomnia in patients.
Similarities Between Restoril vs Clonazepam
- Although both medicines are used for different purposes, they both have the same class of medicine, Benzodiazepine.
- Both are prescribed medicines.
- These medicines have some common and severe side effects which are quite similar to some extent.
Differences Between Restoril & Clonazepam
1) Active Ingredients
Restoril – Temazepam
Clonazepam (active ingredient)– Used in branded drugs KlonoPin Wafer and KlonoPin.
2) Dose & Dosage Strength
a) Restoril
- It comes in the form of oral capsule with different medicinal strength:-
- Restoril 7.5 mg
- Restoril 15 mg
- Restoril 22.5 mg
- Restoril 30 mg
Dosage Administration
A nominal dose starts with 15 mg for adults. Sometimes, a dose of 7.5 mg can be advised in elderly patients. The recommended maximum dose is up to 30 mg. The dose of the medicine is advised by a General Practitioner and can be altered after examining the patient’s age and medical condition.
b) Clonazepam
It is available in two forms such as an orally dissolved tablet or ODT and tablet. The dosage strengths are as follows:-
Tablet Form
- 0.5 mg
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
Oral Disintegrating Tablet
- 0.125 mg
- 0.25 mg
- 0.5 mg
- 1 mg
- 2 mg
Dosage Administration
There are different doses for adults and children and the medicinal strength depends on the type of disorder.
Panic Disorder
- For Children
Not advised children who are below 18 years old.
- For Adults (Above 18 years)
A dose starts with 0.25 mg which can be increased every third day.
- For Elderly Patients
It is not suggested to geriatric people who are above 65 years, however, those below that age can start with a low dose of the medicine.
Seizure Disorder
- For Adults
Adults can take a dose of 0.5 mg, thrice a day and this dosage strength can be increased every third day. Its increment is done to control seizures. 20 mg is the maximum medicinal dose.
- For Children
Children who have a weight up to 30 kg can take a dose of 0.01mg to 0.03 mg per kg in a day. In order to control seizures, the dose is increased every third day.
- For Geriatric Patients
It is not advised for patients who are more than 65 years of age, however, other older patients can start with a low dose.
The brand name Klonopin is available in the dosage strengths as klonopin 1 mg and Klonopin 2 mg
3) Side Effects of Restoril and Clonazepam Drug
Common Side Effects
- Feeling faint
- Feeling tired
- Lack of coordination (Clonazepam)
- Extreme sleepiness
- Nausea (Restoril)
- Headache (Restoril)
Severe Side Effects
- Suicidal ideation
- Hallucination (wrong perception about seeing or hearing an object that is not real)
- Confusion
- Extremely aroused
- Swelling in lips, tongue, face, and throat due to allergic reaction
- Mood swings (Clonazepam)
- Depression (Clonazepam)
- Occurrence of new seizures (Clonazepam)
- Shallow breathing (Clonazepam)
Precautions of Both Drugs (Clonazepam vs Restoril)
- Alcohol should not be consumed by a person who is taking medicine.
- It is advised to check whether you have an allergic reaction to active components which are present in these drugs.
- Both are prescribed drugs, do not take these medications without seeking advice from a Physician.
- Always inform the doctor about your medical history before starting any treatment.
If the effects do not go away within a short duration then immediately contact the healthcare provider.
Conclusion
I hope after reading this blog, you got to know about these medicines and how are differentiated with few similarities. Restoril is a sleeping pill helps to manage the symptoms of sleeping problems and Clonazepam is a drug that us used to treat painc disorder, seizures, etc in people. Both are prescription-only medications. Before their consumption, it is advised to seek guidance from a medical expert to prevent any fatal health consequences.
