Clonazepam: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Clonazepam uses

What is clonazepam for?

Clonazepam is a drug that is useful for preventing and controlling seizures. These drugs are known as anti-seizure or anti-epileptic drugs (anticonvulsants). Clonazepam is a drug that is also useful for treating panic attacks.

Clonazepam is a drug that works by calming the brain and nerves. This drug belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

How do you take clonazepam?

Read the medication instructions given by your pharmacist before you start using clonazepam and each time you get a refill. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Clonazepam is an oral medication that is usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. Clonazepam dosage will usually depend on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment.

Meanwhile, the dosage for clonazepam for children is given based on body weight. The dosage for the elderly is given at a low dose to reduce the risk of side effects. Do not increase your dose, take it more often or for longer than recommended.

Clonazepam is a drug that must be used regularly for maximum benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Don't stop using your medication without consulting your doctor.

Clonazepam is a drug that may cause withdrawal reactions (withdrawal), especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms may appear if you suddenly stop taking this medication.

To prevent withdrawal reactions, the doctor may reduce the dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

If this medication is used long-term, it may not work as well. Talk to your doctor if the medication stops working well.

Clonazepam is a potentially addictive drug. You will increase your risk of becoming addicted if you have previously abused alcohol or illegal drugs. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction.

If you have certain types of seizures, you may have seizures that get worse when you start taking clonazepam. Consult a doctor as soon as possible if this happens. Your doctor may need to increase or adjust the dose of other drugs you are taking to control seizures.

Tell your doctor if your condition doesn't get better or gets worse.

How to store this drug?

Clonazepam is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the shower or freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Clonazepam dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the clonazepam dosage for adults?

Clonazepam is a drug that can be used for prophylactic seizures with the following doses:

• Initial dose: Should not exceed 1.5 mg / day in 3 separate doses.
• The dose may be increased by 0.5-1 mg every 3 days until the seizures are controlled or until the side effects are no longer increasing.
• Maintenance dose: Varies for each patient depending on response.
• The maximum daily dose of clonazepam is 20 mg.

Adult dosage for treating bipolar disorder:

• Initial dose: Should not exceed 1.5 mg / day in 3 separate doses.
• The dose may be increased by 0.5-1 mg every 3 days until the seizures are controlled or until the side effects are no longer increasing.
• Maintenance dose: Varies for each patient depending on response.
• The maximum daily dose of clonazepam is 20 mg.

Clonazepam dosage for panic attacks:

• Initial dose: 0.25 mg bid.
• Maintenance dose: It is possible to increase the target dose for most patients by 1 mg / day after 3 days.
• The dose may be increased by 0.125-0.25 mg bid every 3 days until the panic attack is controlled or side effects disappear. To reduce drowsiness, one dose at bedtime may be necessary.
• The maximum dose of clonazepam is 4 mg / day

Treatment should be stopped gradually, with a reduction of 0.125 mg bid every 3 days, until the drug is used up.

What is the clonazepam dosage for children?

The following is the clonazepam dosage for children under 10 years of age:

• Initial dose: To reduce drowsiness, the starting dose should be between 0.01-0.03 mg / kg / day but not more than 0.05 mg / kg / day in 2 or 3 separate doses.
• The dose should be increased by no more than 0.25-0.5 mg every 3 days until a daily maintenance dose of 0.1-0.2 mg / kg of body weight has been reached, if seizures are not controlled or side effects worsen.
• The daily dose should be divided into 3 doses (three times) as much as possible. If the doses are not evenly distributed, the highest dose should be given before stopping.

Meanwhile, here are the clonazepam dosages for children over 10 years of age:

• The starting dose should not exceed 1.5 mg / day in 3 separate doses.
• The dose may be increased by 0.5-1 mg every 3 days until the seizures are controlled or until the side effects disappear.
• The maintenance dose varies from patient to patient depending on the response.

The maximum daily dose of clonazepam for children is 20 mg.

In what dosage and preparation is clonazepam available?

Clonazepam is a drug that is available in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg tablets.

Clonazepam Side Effects

What side effects might clonazepam have?

Clonazepam is a drug that can cause side effects. Seek emergency help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. Symptoms of a clonazepam allergy are:

• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor. Following are the symptoms you need to watch out for after taking clonazepam:

• changes in mood or habits
• depression
• anxious
• feel irritable
• aggressive
• can't calm down
• hyperactive (mentally or physically)
• thinking about suicide or injuring yourself

Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects. The dangerous side effects of clonazepam are:

• confusion, hallucinating, thinking or acting strangely
• lethargy or shallow breathing
• more reckless to take risks, no fear
• unusual or unconscious eye movements
• fast heart rate
• difficulty or pain when urinating, urinating less often
• pale skin, easy to bruise or bleed
• new seizures or getting worse

The milder side effects of clonazepam are:

• drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty thinking or remembering
• feeling tired, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination
• slurred speech, salivating or dry mouth, sore gums
• runny nose or stuffy nose
• loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation
• blurry vision
• headache
• insomnia
• rash
• changes in weight

Not everyone experiences the side effects that have been mentioned. It could be that some people do not experience the side effects above or some that have not been mentioned.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Precautions

What should be known before using clonazepam?

Before taking clonazepam, there are several things you need to consider, including:

1. Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other allergies, such as food allergies, dyes, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

2. Children

Clonazepam is a drug whose efficacy has not been determined in children. Safety and efficacy for children with panic attacks is not clear.

3. Elderly

Inadequate research to date has not demonstrated the specific problems in older people that will diminish the benefits of clonazepam in this age group.

However, older patients are usually more prone to experiencing confusion and extreme drowsiness, or heart, liver, or kidney disease due to age. This may require a dose adjustment or special warning before taking this medication.

Is clonazepam safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Clonazepam is a drug whose use cannot be ascertained for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This medication falls into the pregnancy risk category D (there is evidence that it is risky) according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an organization equivalent to the POM in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with clonazepam?

Just like other drugs, clonazepam is a drug that can also interact with other drugs. These drug interactions may affect the performance of the drug or increase the risk of side effects.

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in certain conditions, drugs can also be used together, even though there is a possible interaction.

In cases like this, the doctor may change the dose or make other measures. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Using this drug with some of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary, including:

• Alfentanil
• Amobarbital
• Anileridine
• Aprobarbital
• Buprenorphine
• Butobarbital

Can food or alcohol interact with clonazepam?

Certain drugs cannot be used at mealtimes or consuming certain foods / drinks because of the potential for drug interactions.

Smoking tobacco or consuming alcohol with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

What health conditions can interact with this drug?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, in particular:

• Depression
• Lung or breathing problems — Use with caution. It might worsen the condition.
• Glaucoma, acute or chronic
• Kidney illness
• Liver disease — Use with caution. The drug effect may be increased due to the slow process of removing the drug from the body.

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.