Home :: Klonopin :: Adverse Effects

Klonopin Antidepressant : Clonazepam

Brand Name : Clonazepam

Klonopin is used alone or along with other medications to treat convulsive disorders such as epilepsy. It is also prescribed for panic disorder--unexpected attacks of overwhelming panic accompanied by fear of recurrence. Klonopin belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Klonopin (clonazepam) is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Klonopin (clonazepam) affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause seizures or symptoms of panic disorder.

Uses of Klonopin

• Klonopin (clonazepam) is used to treat seizures and panic disorder.
• Clonazepam is used for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety.
• It is used for certain types of seizures, specifically petit mal seizures, akinetic seizures, and myoclonus, as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. For these seizure disorders, clonazepam may use alone or together with other medications.

How to Take Klonopin

Take Klonopin exactly as prescribed. If you are taking it for panic disorder and you find it makes you sleepy, your doctor may recommend a single dose at bedtime.

What are the Side Effects of Klonopin Medication

Less common or rare side effects in seizure disorders may include:

• Abnormal eye movements
• anemia
• bed wetting
• chest congestion
• coated tongue
• coma
• confusion
• constipation
• dehydration
• depression
• diarrhea
• double vision
• dry mouth
• excess hair
• fever
• fluttery or throbbing heartbeat
• hair loss
• hallucinations
• headache

Warnings and precautions before taking Klonopin Medication

• If you have several types of seizures, this drug may increase the possibility of grand mal seizures (epilepsy). Inform your doctor if this occurs. Your doctor may wish to prescribe an additional anticonvulsant drug or increase your dose.
• Klonopin may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how Klonopin affects you.
• If you have several types of seizures, Klonopin may increase the possibility of grand mal seizures (epilepsy). Inform your doctor if this occurs. Your doctor may wish to prescribe an additional anticonvulsant drug or increase your dose.

What drugs may interact with Klonopin Tablet

If Klonopin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Klonopin with the following:

• Antianxiety drugs such as Valium
  
• Antidepressant drugs such as Elavil, Nardil, Parnate, and Tofranil
  
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
  
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  
• Major tranquilizers such as Haldol, Navane, and Thorazine
  
• Narcotic pain relievers such as Demerol and Percocet
  
• Oral antifungal drugs such as Fungizone, Mycelex, and Mycostatin

Clonazepam, and all benzodiazepines, interact with other medications and drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics.

What to do if you take Overdose of Klonopin ?

The symptoms of Klonopin overdose may include:

• Coma
• confusion
• sleepiness
• slowed reaction time

How to Store Klonopin ?

Tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 15° and 30°C (59-86°F).