Description

Klonopin is a trading name of the active ingredient Clonazepam. This medicine gives a sedative action on the central nervous system.

One of the main causes of epilepsy is a high agitation of neurons, so that convulsive spasms, epileptic attacks, movement disorders and speech disorders appear. Klonopin belongs to the drugs which reduce the frequency and degree of the epilepsy attacks.

The mechanism of the action of Klonopin is simple. It enhances a sensitivity of GABA-receptors to the action of amino-butyric acid, a main inhibitory transmitter in the central nervous system. It does not increase a synthesis of this acid, and therefore it does not influence on the biological processes in the body. Due to the drug, a normal amount of the amino-butyric acid better inhibits the activity of neurons, and so the convulsive spasms do not appear.

An inhibition of the agitation of neurons is accompanied by the moderate sedative action. Therefore, Klonopin is often prescribed for the treatment and prevention of epilepsy as well as:

• Increased excitability of the central nervous system
• Panic disorder
• Increased muscle tone
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Combined therapy of diseases caused by organic brain damage
• Combined therapy of mental disorders

In what dose is Klonopin used?

In order to identify an optimal therapeutic effect, it is necessary to begin the use of Klonopin from the minimal doses. Patients are usually recommended to take a tablet of Klonopin 0,5 mg 3 times per day at the beginning of the therapy.

A therapeutic effect takes some time and is gradually increased during a long-term treatment. Depending on the body reaction, the dose is increased by 0,5-1 mg every 3 days, in a week after the started treatment.

A therapeutic dose of Klonopin is different for every patient depending on the severity of the disease, latitude of the affections of the brain tissues, or sensitivity to GABA. A dose of Klonopin may be increased up to 10 mg per day 3 times. But of an intensive therapeutic effect is achieved during the use of the lower doses, do not increase the daily dose up to the maximal one.

Children may take not more than 6 mg per day (2 mg 3 times per day) to treat epilepsy.

Precautions

• If your doctor recommended to end the course of the treatment, do not do it at once. Decrease the daily dose of Klonopin within 2-3 weeks in order to avoid a withdrawal syndrome
• Do not take Klonopin during pregnancy or breast-feeding
• If you have bronchial asthma, COPD or other severe diseases of the respiratory system, the use of Klonopin is contraindicated
• If you have diseases of the cardiovascular system, increased intraocular pressure, or other serious chronic diseases, consult a physician before using Klonopin

Side effects

An inhibition of the central nervous system is almost always accompanied by side effects. Using Klonopin in low doses, the side effects are not felt, but a long-term use of middle and high doses may cause slowing of psychomotor reactions, fatigue, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, muscle weakness, diarrhea, and nausea.

The dose adjustment quickly helps to neutralize a side effect of Klonopin on the body. But the decrease of the dose should not lead to the reduction of the therapeutic effect.