Description
Klonopin
Klonopin is a tranquilizer, close in chemical structure to neuroleptics. Therefore, it can be used to control epileptic seizures and to treat panic disorder. Klonopin solves at once two problems of treatment of mental frustration in epilepsy –exerts a sedative effect and simultaneously helps keep seizures to a minimum.
Prescribing Information
Klonopin exhibits a potent therapeutic activity in the relief of absences, myoclonic and atonic epileptic seizures. In manic and depressive conditions, the drug exerts an antipsychotic, tranquilizing and moderately hypnotic effect.
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine derivative. The drug enhances the inhibitory activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) – the main inhibitory mediator –over the benzodiazepine receptors. After the ingestion, Klonopin rapidly suppresses epileptogenic activity and reduces the excitability of the subcortical brainstructures.
In antiepileptic and antipanic therapy, Klonopin tablets are used, each of which can contain 0.25 mg, 0.125mg, 0.5mg, 1 mgor 2 mg of the active ingredient Clonazepam.
Dosage
The dosage of Klonopin for antiepileptic therapy depends on the age of the patient:
- Children under 10 years of age should take 0.01-0.03 mg per kilogram of body weight daily. The daily dose is divided into 2-3 intakes. Every 3 days, the daily dose can be increased by 0.25-0.5 mg/kg;
- The initial daily dose for adults is 1.5 mg. Every 3 days of therapy, the daily dose can be increased by 0.5-1 mg.
To solve mental problems, adult patients can begin the antipanic therapy with a single Klonopin dose of 0.25 mg. Further on, to prevent panic attacks, patients can take 1 mg of Klonopin daily.
The treatment of severe panic disorder may require the use of high Klonopin doses: 2-4 mg per day. Any patient over 18 years of age can take the medication to solve psychological problems.
The average duration of the antiepileptic or antipanic therapy with Klonopin is 2-3 months.
To avoid side effects, Klonopin can not be used together with other medicines to prevent panic attacks. In antiepileptic therapy, the tranquilizer can be taken in combination with other drugs to treat epilepsy.
Interactions
- The interaction of Klonopin and Valproic acid promotes a strong sedative effect in some patients and leads to absences.
- When interacting with Klonopin, the therapeutic effect of neuroleptics, analgesics and muscle relaxants is enhanced.
- The antiepileptic drug Phenytoin increases the clearance of Klonopin and strengthens its toxicological effect on the body.
Side effects
Most often, patients may experience a mild cognitive impairment (MCI)after Klonopin dosing, which is expressed in a decrease in operability and memory impairment. Due to cognitive impairment that manifests because of Klonopin administration, patientsare not advised to drive or operate complex machinery.
Such side effects, as asthenia, short-term memory abnormalities, ataxia or paradoxical aggressiveness limit the use of Klonopin. Usually, to stop unwanted reactions, it is enough to stop taking the medication for a short time, and then resume therapy.
Tips
To ensure a successful and safeantiepileptic and antipanic therapy with Klonopin, it is necessary to follow a few simple recommendations.
To avoid the risk of withdrawal syndrome, patients should end Klonopin use by gradually reducing its dosage;
Since the drug has a mild hypnotic effect, it should be administered with great care to patients with cognitive impairment and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome;
To increase the effectiveness of the antiepileptic therapy, you can use a combination of Klonopin and Sodium Valproate.