Review of Klonopin

Klonopin - What is it?

Klonopin is one of the groups of drugs known as benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It has an effect on brain’s chemicals that might have become unstable and result in anxiety.

Klonopin is utilized to treat panic disorders and seizure disorders. It could also be utilized for other purposes not mentioned in this medication guide.

Klonopin - Important information

This medication should not be used by people who have severe liver disease or are allergic to any other benzodiazepines, for instance chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene) or oxazepam (Serax).

This medication could cause harm to a fetus and could result in feeding or breathing problems in a newborn baby. However, a seizure in a pregnant woman could harm the mother as well as the fetus. You should not take Klonopin when pregnant without informing your doctor of your pregnancy.

In case you become pregnant whilst taking Klonopin for seizures problems, you should not stop the medication unless your doctor advises you to. It is essential to have your seizures in control during pregnancy and the advantages of seizure prevention could prevail over the risks of taking Klonopin.

Prior to using Klonopin, ensure that you inform your doctor if you suffer from glaucoma, any breathing problems, suicidal thoughts, liver or kidney disease, or a history of depression or addiction to alcohol or drugs.

When taking lonazepam, do not consume alcohol. This drug could increase the alcohol effects. Klonopin could be addictive and therefore should only be taken by the person to whom it was prescribed for. Never share Klonopin with another person, particularly if the person has a history of addiction or drug abuse. Make sure you store the medication in a safe place that is not accessible to others.

Klonopin – What to inform my doctor before taking it?

Klonopin should not be used by people who have severe liver disease or are allergic to any other benzodiazepines, for instance chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), clorazepate (Tranxene) or oxazepam (Serax).

Before you start taking Klonopin, inform your doctor if you are to any kind of medication or have:

* liver or kidney disease;
* asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), emphysema, other breathing problems;
* glaucoma;
* a history of depression or suicidal tendency or thoughts;
* a history of alcohol or drug addiction.

In case you suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions, you require an adjustment of your Klonopin dose or undergo special tests to verify if it is safe for you.

Klonopin is categorized by the FDA as pregnancy category D medication. This medication could cause harm to a fetus and could result in feeding or breathing problems in a newborn baby. However, a seizure in a pregnant woman could harm the mother as well as the fetus. You should not take Klonopin when pregnant without informing your doctor of your pregnancy.

Klonopin could pass through breast milk and might be harmful to the nursing baby. You should not take this medication when breast feeding. The sedative effects of Klonopin could last longer in case of older adults. There are many cases of accidental falls in elderly patients who are taking benzodiazepines. Use prudence to avoid accidental injury or falling when taking Klonopin.

Clonazepam could be addictive and therefore should only be taken by the person to whom it was prescribed for. Never share Klonopin with another person, particularly if the person has a history of addiction or drug abuse. Make sure you store the medication in a safe place that is not accessible to others.

Klonopin - How should it be taken?

Klonopin should be taken exactly as prescribed to you. Never take higher doses or take it for longer durations than what has been recommended by your doctor. You should follow the directions that are on the prescription label.

Occasionally, your doctor might alter the dose of Klonopin to ensure you derive the maximum results from this medication.

The regular Klonopin tablet should be taken as a whole with a glass of water.

The procedure for taking the Klonopin orally disintegrating tablet (wafer) is:

* The tablet has to remain in its blister pack till you are all set to take the drug. The package has to be opened and foil peeled back from the tablet blister. The tablet should not be pushed through the foil as the tablet could be damaged.
* Use dry hands to remove the tablet and put it in your mouth. It begins to dissolve immediately.
* The tablet as a whole should not be swallowed. It should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth without chewing.
* You should swallow many times when the tablet dissolves. If required you can drink water to assist in swallowing the dissolved tablet.

Klonopin is meant for short-term use. This medication should not be taken for more than 9 weeks without the advice of your doctor.

To ensure that Klonopin is not causing any side effects, your liver and blood could be required to be tested regularly. You should not miss your visits to your doctor.

You should not discontinue the use of Klonopin or alter your dosage without consulting your doctor first although you feel better. You if suddenly discontinue its use you could have increase seizures. You may be required to reduce the dosage slowly before stopping the use of Klonopin altogether. Your doctor could prescribe any other medication for seizure for you while you are discontinuing the use of Klonopin.

If using Klonopin for longer durations and discontinuing its use, it is possible for the symptoms may return. You could experience withdrawal symptoms or seizures when you quit taking Klonopin. Some of the withdrawal symptoms might include tremors, difficulty in sleeping, muscle twitching, vomiting, stomach pain, unusual thoughts or odd behavior.

Klonopin should be stored at room temperature away and kept from heat, moisture and light

Keep a count of the usage of the medication from a new bottle of Klonopin. Benzodiazepines are known to be addictive and you should make sure that no other person is using the medication inappropriately or without prescription.

Klonopin – Missed doses

In case you miss a dose, it can be taken immediately on remembering. But, if it nearly the time for the next dose, you can skip the missed dose and continue with the scheduled dose. You should not take an extra dose to make up the missed dosage.

Klonopin – Overdose

You should seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have taken an overdose of Klonopin. The symptoms of Klonopin overdose could include extreme sleepiness, muscle weakness, confusion or fainting.

Klonopin – What to avoid when taking it?

Do not consume alcohol when taking Klonopin. This drug could increase the alcohol effects. Klonopin could have side effects that might impair your thinking capacity or reactions. You should exercise caution if you are driving or need to anything that requires you to stay awake and attentive.

Klonopin - Side effects

You should seek immediate medical help in case you experience any of these signs of allergic reactions – difficulty in breathing; hives; swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects:

* confusion, strange thoughts or behavior, hallucinations;
* hyperactivity, anxiety, aggression;
* shallow or weak breathing;
* depression, suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting yourself;
* involuntary or odd eye movements;
* painful or difficulty in urination, more or less urination than ordinary;
* pale skin, easy bleeding or bruising;
* new or aggravation in seizures; or
* tightness of chest, rapid or pounding heartbeats.

The not so serious side effects of Klonopin could include:

* feeling tired, muscle weakness, loss of coordination or balance;
* slurred speech;
* sleepiness, faintness, spinning sensation;
* memory problems;
* runny or stuffy nose;
* sore gums, dry or drooling mouth;
* anxiety, lack of sleep (insomnia);
* Reduced appetite, diarrhea, nausea, constipation;
* headache;
* blurred vision;
* skin rashes; or
* changes in weight.

There may be side effects that are not listed here. Consult your doctor if experience any side effects to seek medical advice. You could report side effects of Klonopin to FDA at the number 1-800-FDA-1088.

Klonopin – Other drug interactions

Any cold medication, allergy medicine, sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and drugs for anxiety, seizures or depression could increase the sleep effects of Klonopin. Inform your doctor if you use any of these drugs regularly or any other medicines for seizure.

Also, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

* propantheline (Pro-Banthine);
* any antidepressant for example amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;
* any antifungal medication for example fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), voriconazole (Vfend) or itraconazole (Sporanox),;
* a barbiturate for example amobarbital (Amytal), mephobarbital (Mebaral), butabarbital (Butisol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton) or secobarbital (Seconal);
* an MAO inhibitor for instance isocarboxazid (Marplan), rasagiline (Azilect), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
* drugs for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, for instance chlorpromazine (Thorazine), mesoridazine (Serentil), haloperidol (Haldol), thioridazine (Mellaril) or pimozide (Orap).

There might be other medicines that are not mentioned here that could interact with Klonopin. Inform your doctor of all the prescription as well as over the counter medications you are taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, medications prescribed by other doctors and minerals. You should not begin taking a new medication without consulting your doctor first.

Klonopin - Where to get more information?

Any questions you have regarding Klonopin, ask your pharmacist.

Bear in mind to keep Klonopin and all other medications out of the reach of children, not the share any drugs with others and use Klonopin only for the prescribed indication.

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