What sort of medication is Klonopin?
Klonopin is a trade name for Clonazepam,
which is a highly potent anticonvulsant, amnestic, anxiolytic and
muscle relaxant. 1mg of Klonopin is approximately equal in effect
to 20mg of Diazepam (Valium).
While in the United States, Clonazepam is better known as Klonopin,
in Europe, Canada, Australia, South America and India it is distributed
under the brand name Rivotril.
Klonopin is one of the benzodiazepines. Like other benzodiazepines,
Klonopin acts on our benzodiazepine receptors, performing an
inhibitory effects on the central nervous system. It is used as an
anticonvulsant, amnestic, anxiolytic and muscle relaxant. The medication
may be used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It is also
used in cases of amphetamine overdose in order to reverse some of the
adverse effects.
In adults, Klonopin is sometimes used in the short-term treatment
of refractory epilepsies. It has also been used in the management of
seizure disorders in children and for infantile spasms. However,
long-term efficacy of the medication is not proved because the body
quickly develops tolerance or even physical dependence to it. Klonopin
also has a deleterious effect on neurological function, especially a
negative effect on cognition.
Klonopin is sometimes used to help with Methadone withdrawal
symptoms.
The half-life of the medication is from 18 up to 50 hours. The
long-lasting effects of Klonopin makes it hardly advisable for
the treatment of insomnia.
Long-term use of the medication (more than 2–4 weeks) can lead
to developing a withdrawal syndrome upon discontinuation. Abrupt
discontinuation of Klonopin may cause unpleasant symptoms (like
anxiety, insomnia, depression, numbness in limbs, tremor, cramps
and weakness), so the doses of the medication have to be reduced
gradually. From 10% to 15% of patients develop a protracted withdrawal
syndrome which can last for months, years, or a lifetime.
Klonopin should be administered to patients under 18 years and
to the elderly with great caution. Klonopin usage in little
children may be especially hazardous.
In the USA, Klonopin
(Clonazepam) is a Schedule IV controlled substance,
available under prescription only.
In Watson generic versions of Klonopin,
the active ingredient, Clonazepam, is found in dosages of:
0.5mg (in Watson 746
pills)
1mg (in Watson 747
pills) and
2mg (in Watson 748
pills).
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