Clonazepam is one of the class of medications called benzodiazepines. In general, benzodiazepines are employed being a sedative or to decrease seizures or anxiety. Clonazepam is utilized to treat seizure disorders. It helps by slowing the game with the nerves inside the brain (i.e., the neurological system).
This medication may be available under multiple brandnames and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand of this medication is probably not obtainable in all from the forms or approved for all in the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of the medication will not be useful for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor could have suggested prescription drugs for conditions aside from those classified by these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this together with your doctor or aren't sure your purpose in taking this medication, confer with your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without conferring with your medical professional.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, regardless of whether they've a similar symptoms when you do. It can be harmful for people to consider this medication if their doctor hasn't prescribed it.
The dose of clonazepam is determined based on how expensive is necessary to control seizures and is different from person to person. It is important that the dose be individualized for your specific needs to avoid decreased coordination or excessive drowsiness.
The recommended adult starting dose of clonazepam mustn't be higher than 1.5 mg daily in 3 divided doses. This really helps to minimize drowsiness as well as other side effects. Your doctor will gradually boost the dose until your seizures are controlled. The recommended maintenance dose for adults is 8 mg to 10 mg every day in 3 divided doses.
For children as much as 10 years old or who weigh 30 kilograms or less, the dose is dependant on body weight. The starting dose must be calculated as 0.01 mg per kilogram of bodyweight every day to 0.03 mg per kilogram of weight each day, separated into two or three doses. The maximum starting dose ought to be no more than 0.05 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The doctor will gradually improve the dose prior to the child’s seizures are controlled. Generally, the maintenance dose is between 0.1 mg per kilogram and 0.2 mg per kilogram of body weight.
Clonazepam could be taken with food or before eating any breakfast. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice when you are taking medicines as it could boost the degrees of clonazepam within your blood.
Many things can affect the dose of an medication a person needs, including body mass, other health concerns, as well as other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose distinctive from those listed here, don't change the method that you take the medication without consulting your physician.
It is important to look at medicines just as prescribed by a medical expert. If you miss a dose, take it immediately and continue together with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your upcoming dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to produce up to get a missed one. If you usually are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact a medical expert or pharmacist for advice.
Store prescription drugs at room temperature, prevent leakages from light and moisture, and keep against each other from the reach of youngsters.
Do not eliminate medications in wastewater (e.g. around the sink or inside toilet) or perhaps in household garbage. Ask the pharmacist the best way to dispose of medications which are don't needed or have expired.
Many medications can cause unwanted effects. A side effect is an unwanted a reaction to a medication if it's used normal doses. Side effects could be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The negative effects listed below are certainly not felt by everyone who takes medicines. If you might be concerned about negative effects, discuss the potential for loss and benefits on this medication using your doctor.
The following side effects happen to be reported by at the very least 1% of folks taking this medication. Many of the side effects could be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your physician when you experience these side effects plus they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist could possibly be able to give you advice on managing side effects.
Although most from the unwanted side effects the following don't happen often, they can result in serious problems should you do not seek medical help.
Check together with your doctor at the earliest opportunity if any with the following unwanted effects occur:
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical assistance if any from the following occur:
Some people may experience negative effects besides those listed. Check using your doctor you may notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Do not use clonazepam if you:
Clonazepam could be used by people with open angle glaucoma that are receiving appropriate treatment.
There could possibly be an interaction between clonazepam and then for any from the following:
If you're taking some of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, a medical expert might want that you:
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one too. Speak to your physician about how any drug interactions are managed or ought to be managed.
Medications besides those in the list above may communicate with prescription drugs. Tell a medical expert or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you adopt. Also say to them about any supplements you're taking. Since caffeine, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications; you need to let your prescriber know if you use them.
Before you start taking a medicine, make sure to inform your doctor from a health conditions or allergies you could possibly have, any medications you're taking, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and then for any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect the method that you should take medicines.
Alcohol: People taking this medication must not consume alcohol since doing so can help to eliminate the effectiveness of this medication and boost the risk of side effects.
People who have an being hooked on alcohol and other drugs must not take clonazepam except in rare situations under medical supervision.
Breathing: Clonazepam can suppress breathing. This effect on breathing may be more pronounced for those with breathing problems, brain damage, or that are taking other medications that suppress breathing (e.g., codeine, morphine). If you have severe breathing problems, discuss the risks and benefits of taking prescription drugs your medical professional.
Coordination problems: If you have a condition that affects coordination (e.g., spinal or cerebellar ataxia, discuss along with your doctor how prescription drugs may affect your problem, how your medical condition may get a new dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Dependence and withdrawal: Physical dependence (a necessity to consider regular doses to stop physical symptoms) has been associated with benzodiazepines like clonazepam. Severe withdrawal symptoms may occur when the dose is really a lot reduced or suddenly stopped. These symptoms include seizures, irritability, nervousness, problems with sleep, agitation, tremors, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, memory impairment, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion. Reducing the dose gradually under medical supervision might help prevent or decrease these withdrawal symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking prescription drugs without actually talking to your medical professional.
Depression: Clonazepam, like other benzodiazepines, has been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or perhaps a good reputation for depression, discuss together with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical problem may modify the dosing and effectiveness on this medication, and whether any special monitoring is necessary. If you have signs of depression for example poor concentration, modifications in weight, changes in sleep, decreased fascination with activities, or notice them inside a family member who is taking this medication contact a medical expert immediately.
Clonazepam just isn't recommended for usage by individuals with depression or psychosis or that have attempted suicide.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Because clonazepam causes drowsiness and sedation, avoid activities requiring mental alertness, judgment, and physical coordination (for example driving or operating machinery) while taking it. This is particularly true when first utilizing the medication and in anticipation of having established how clonazepam affects you. Alcohol can boost the drowsiness effects and must be avoided.
Grapefruit juice: Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you're taking prescription drugs as it could boost the degrees of clonazepam within your blood.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or kidney disease might cause medicines to formulate inside body, causing side effects. If you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function, talk to your medical professional how prescription drugs may affect your problem, how your medical problem may customize the dosing and effectiveness on this medication, and whether any special monitoring should be used.
Lactose intolerance: Lactose is one with the ingredients within this medication. If you have a hereditary condition that creates you intolerant to lactose, discuss other alternatives along with your doctor.
Liver function: If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss using your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical problem may get a new dosing and effectiveness on this medication, and whether any special monitoring should be used. People with severe liver problems ought not take medicines.
Memory: This medication may impair recent memory. If you have this while taking medicines, contact a medical expert.
Porphyria: If you have porphyria, discuss using your doctor how prescription drugs may affect your problem, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of the medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Seizures: For some people taking prescription drugs, seizures may worsen or even a new type of seizure can happen. If you go through worsening seizures or the frequency of one's seizures does not decrease while taking this medication, contact your medical professional.
Pregnancy: Taking clonazepam while pregnant can improve the risk of certain birth defects. This medication should basically be used when pregnant if your benefits outweigh the potential for loss. If you conceive while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly, since this may result in withdrawal symptoms. Discuss your options with your doctor and follow their instructions closely.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you're a breast-feeding mother and take clonazepam, it may affect baby. Talk to a medical expert about whether you need to continue breast-feeding.
Children: If long-term use of clonazepam has considered for any child, discuss along with your child's doctor the huge benefits and also the risks of clonazepam use. Long-term use might have an effect on your child’s physical and mental development.
Seniors: Seniors could be at increased risk for that sedative and impaired coordination effects of this medication. This can improve the chance of falls and fractures. Seniors may necessitate lower doses of this medication.
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