Description
How it works
- Clonazepam acts on nerve cells to calm abnormal electrical activity within the brain.
- Clonazepam calms and sedates and may be used for the treatment of anxiety, as an anticonvulsant, or for its sedative effects.
- Experts aren’t exactly sure how clonazepam works, but believe its effects are due to its ability to strongly bind to the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex, which enhances the affinity for GABA (a neurotransmitter that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain). Low levels of GABA have been linked to anxiety, mood disorders, seizure disorders, and pain.
- Clonazepam belongs to the class of medicines known as benzodiazepine
Tips
- Take exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without his or her advice. If you have been taking clonazepam for a long period of time do not stop suddenly as withdrawal reactions (blurred vision, insomnia, sweating, rarely seizures) may occur. Your doctor will advise you how to taper off the dose. Keep out of sight of potential drug seekers.
- Swallow regular-release tablets whole with water.
- For orally disintegrating tablets, open the pouch and peel back the foil on the blister; do not push the tablet through the foil. Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in the mouth; it will dissolve rapidly in saliva.
- Clonazepam may cause sleepiness and affect your ability to drive or perform other complex tasks. Avoid doing these activities if clonazepam has this effect on you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking clonazepam because it may enhance the side effects of sedation and respiratory depression.
- Clonazepam may make you feel dizzy, increasing your risk of falls. Be careful when sitting or standing up after lying down.
- If you think you have become dependant on clonazepam or addicted to it, talk with your doctor.
- Do not take any other medications with clonazepam including those bought over the counter without first checking with your pharmacist or doctor that they are compatible.
- If your mood changes, or you experience depression or a worsening of depression, talk with your doctor.
- Do not use it if you are allergic to it or other benzodiazepines like alprazolam, lorazepam, or oxazepam.
- Do not start or discontinue the drug during pregnancy without speaking to your provider first.
. Response and Effectiveness
- it takes approximately 20-60 minutes to start working. The peak effects of clonazepam are reached in 1-4 hours.
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use it only for the indication prescribed.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.