Description
Clonazepam is a prescription medicine used to treat epilepsy (seizures) and anxiety disorder. It helps to decrease the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells and calms the brain.
Clonazepam may be taken with or without food. However, take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it has a high potential of habit-forming. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. You should not stop this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may increase the seizure frequency and can cause nausea, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, and muscle pain.
Some common side effects of this medicine include fatigue, depression and impaired coordination. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. It is important to inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or depression as this medicine may cause suicidal thoughts.
USES OF CLONAZEPAM
Treatment of Anxiety disorder
Feeling anxious at times of special situations, like exams, job interviews, etc., is considered normal. However, exceesive anxiety and overwhelming worry and tension that persists for months is referred as anxiety disorder. You may feel symptoms, like, shakiness of hands, excessive sweating, pounding heartbeat, headaches, frequent urination or diarrhea, or muscle twitches.
Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Epilepsy is a disorder of the nervous system. In this condition, the disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain causes episodes of the characteristic epileptic seizures. Possible causes include genetic disorder, brain injury, stroke, infection, tumor, etc.
BENEFITS OF CLONAZEPAM
In Treatment of Anxiety disorder
Clonazepam stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious so it can reduce the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry. It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable and sleep problems that often come with Anxiety Disorder. It will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
In Treatment of Epilepsy/Seizures
Clonazepam slows down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures (fits). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this time you may still have seizures. Do not stop using this medicine even if you feel well, until your doctor advises you to. Missing doses may trigger a seizure.
SIDE EFFECTS OF CLONAZEPAM
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them.
Common side effects of Clonazepam:
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Impaired coordination
HOW TO USE CLONAZEPAM
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Clonazepam may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW CLONAZEPAM WORKS
LClonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Clonazepam
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Clonazepam is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Clonazepam is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Clonazepam may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
CAUTION
Clonazepam should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Clonazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Clonazepam can cause excessive sleepiness in patients with end stage kidney disease.
Liver
CAUTION
Clonazepam should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Clonazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
