Klonopin

What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is Roche’s trade name for clonazepam. It is prescribed for a number of conditions including epileptic seizures and panic disorder. It is a benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and potent anxiolytic characteristic. It is one of the most fast-acting of all benzodiazepines. It has been shown in clinical investigations to be extremely effective for panic disorder. Klonopin is effective either alone or in combined therapy for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and akinetic and myoclonic seizures. It may also be useful in patients with absence seizures.

How does Klonopin work?

Like all benzodiazepines, Klonopin acts by enhancing the neurotransmitter GABA, which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. As yet the mechanism by which resolves seizures and panic is not fully understood.

What does Klonopin look like?

Klonopin is available in a round orange pill of 0.5 mg strength, a round blue pill of 1 mg strength and a round white pill of 2 mg strength. All have a central “K” shape perforation. It is also available in disintegrating wafers in strengths of 0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg, imprinted with ?, 1 , 1, and 1 respectively.

Klonopin dosing and administration

The starting dosage for adults with seizures should be nor more than 1.5 mg daily divided into three doses. This may be increased by 0.5 or 1 mg every three days until there is adequate control of the seizures or until the dosage becomes too high for the patient to tolerate. It is important that the dose is individually titrated for the patient. No more than 20 mg per day should be taken. If other anticonvulsants are used concurrently, the dosage of Klonopin should be reduced appropriately. When treating panic disorder in adults, the starting dosage should 0.25 mg twice daily. Your doctor may increase this to 1 mg per day after three days. This dosage has been shown to be optical in clinical trials, with effectiveness decreasing at higher doses.

Common adverse effects from Klonopin

Common side effects of Klonopin may include drowsiness, headache, fatigue, restlessness, lethargy, dizziness, nausea, hangover, anxiety, depression, dry mouth, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, euphoria, confusion, blurred vision, bizarre dreams and vertigo. Less frequent side effects include anorexia, ataxia, tremor, unusual dreaming, balance problems, dyspnea, palpitations, vomiting, backache, hyperhidrosis, eye irritation, amnesia, hallucinations and a number of paradoxical responses including restlessness, hyperactivity and agitation.

Interactions with Klonopin

Klonopin may interact with a number of other drugs including alcohol, anesthetics, antidepressants and antipsychotics, barbiturates and narcotics, certain antibiotics and antifungals, other benzodiazepines, protease inhibitors, seizure medications and sleeping pills.

Klonopin warnings and precautions

Abrupt cessation of Klonopin treatment, particularly from a high dose, may result in withdrawal symptoms and epileptic seizures. Thus the dosage should be tapered gradually over several weeks. Liver function should be monitored regularly during long-term use of Klonopin. Klonopin may increase the frequency of seizures in patients who suffer from multiple seizure disorders. Klonopin may cause increased salivation and should be used with caution in patients with respiratory distress.