Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)
No More Panic forum posts about this medication can be found here: Clonazepam / Klonopin / Rivotril
Clonazepam is an anticonvulsant primarily used in the treatment of seizure disorders. It is a member of the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.
This drug may also be used as an anti-anxiety, for the short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety.
Benefits Seen
- From the first day to a week.
If Stop Taking
- Do not stop without consulting your doctor and never abruptly if taking to control seizures or if have been taking for more then four weeks. It will need to be stopped gradually.
Overdose symptoms include
- Confusion, loss of consciousness, or slowing of reflexes.
Warnings
- Narcotics may increase the sedative effects of this drug.
- Do not take other sedative, benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills with this drug. The combinations could be fatal.
- Do not drink alcohol when taking benzodiazepines. Alcohol can lower blood pressure and decrease your breathing rate to the point of unconsciousness.
- The habit-forming potential is high. Psychological and physical dependence is common. It is possible to become dependent in only two to four weeks. If used for anti-anxiety treatment: This drugs should not be taken for more then four weeks.
- Do not stop taking this drug abruptly, this could cause psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.
- Do not take this drug if you are pregnant or if planning to become pregnant.
- Do not take if you are breast-feeding.
- Do not take this drug if a child and in small doses if over sixty with close monitoring.
Do not use if
- You had negative reactions to this drug or any other benzodiazepines in the past.
- If you have a history of alcoholism.
- If you have drug dependence.
- You have had a stroke.
- You have multiple sclerosis.
- You suffer from asthma or chronic bronchitis.
- You have Alzheimer’s disease.
- You have liver disease.
- You have acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
- You have acute intermittent porphyria.
- You have emphysema.
- You are seriously depressed.
- You have any type of brain disorders.
Symptoms or Side Effects
Common
- Anxiety
- Behavior problems
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Problems with coordination
Rare
- Abdominal cramps
- Blurred vision
- Chest congestion
- Coated tongue
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Diarrheoa
- Double vision
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Fluid retention
- hair loss
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Involuntary eye movement
- Loss of voice
- Memory loss
- Racing heartbeat/palpitations
- Shaking/slurred speech
- Sore gums
- Staggering/trembling
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual bleeding/bruising
- Urination problems
See doctor always
- Abdominal cramps
- Blurred vision
- Chest congestion
- Coated tongue
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Diarrheoa
- Double vision
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Fluid retention
- hair loss
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Involuntary eye movement
- Loss of voice
- Memory loss
- Racing heartbeat/palpitations
- Shaking/slurred speech
- Sore gums
- Staggering/trembling
- Trouble breathing
- Unusual bleeding/bruising
- Urination problems
See doctor if severe
- Anxiety
- Behavior problems
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Problems with coordination.
See doctor NOW
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Trouble breathing
- Staggering/trembling
