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Pharmacology
Like other benzodiazepines, clonazepam is believed to act by simulating the action of GABA on the central nervous system. Because of strong anxiolytic properties and euphoric side-effects it is said to be among the class of 'highly potent' benzodiazepines.
Although
benzodiazepines are valuable in the treatment of anxiety disorders, they have some potential for misuse and may cause dependence
or
addiction. The sedative effects of clonazepam are relatively weak, when compared to its strong anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects, as well as when compared to most other benzodiazepines. One milligram of clonazepam is approximately equivalent to twenty milligrams of diazepam. [1]
Unlike most other benzodiazepines clonazepam appears to also have a secondary effect on the neurotransmitter serotonin. [2]. It has shown itself to be useful as a short-term adjunct to SSRI treatment in Clinical Depression
[3],
superior to SSRI treatment alone. Similar results have been found with some other anxiety disorders, but the role of the serotonergic effects enhancing the action of the SSRI treatment remains unclear in these cases due to clonazepam's primary anxiolytic mechanism of action.
Indications
Clonazepam is commonly prescribed for:
Epilepsy
Hyperekplexia. Clonazepam is prescribed to dampen the effects of the disorder, reducing the startle response in sufferers. Those who fall when startled are less likely to do so once treated.
Anxiety disorders. Due to the chronic nature of anxiety, long-term low-dose
benzodiazepine
treatment may be necessary for some
patients;
this continuation of treatment should not
be
considered abuse or addiction.
Panic attacks
Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
Initial treatment of mania, together with firstline-drugs such as lithium, haloperidol or risperidone
Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (off-label use)
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Night terrors
Tourette Syndrome - Clonazepam has shown to
be
helpful in reducing and dealing with the physical motor tics associated with TS, though is still considered an off-label usage by many.
Schizophrenia -
Clonazepam
has been prescribed in order to alleviate the side effects of certain antipsychotic agents used in the treatment of Schizophrenia.
Clonazepam is rarely used as a treatment for
insomnia,
because its sedative effects are
relatively
weak compared to other benzodiazepines.
Availability
Klonopin 0.5mg
Klonopin 1mg
Clonazepam
1mg
(Generic)
Clonazepam was approved in the United States as a generic drug in 1997 and is now manufactured and marketed by several companies.
Clonazepam is available in the U.S. as tablets (0.5, 1.0, and 2mg), orally-disintegrating tablets (wafers) (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2 mg), liquid solution (2.5mg per ml) and for injection (1mg per ml)
Side effects
Common:
Drowsiness
Impairment of cognition and judgement
Impaired motor function
Impaired coordination
Impaired balance
Dizziness
Anterograde amnesia (common with higher doses)
Rare:
Paradoxical Disinhibition[1] (Most frequently in children, the elderly, and in persons with
developmental
disabilities)
Rage
Excitement
Irritability
Impulsivity
Some users report hangover-like symptoms of being drowsy, having a headache, being sluggish, and irritable after waking up if the medication is taken before sleep. This is likely the result of the medication's long half-life which continues to affect the user after they wake up as well as its disruption of the REM cycle.
Withdrawal-related:
Anxiety, irritability, insomnia
Panic attacks, tremor
Seizures similar to delirium tremens (With long-term use of excessive doses)
Use of alcohol or other
CNS
depressants while taking clonazepam greatly intensifies the effects (and side effects) of the drug. Side effects of the drug itself are generally benign, but sudden withdrawal after long-term use can cause severe, even fatal symptoms.
Interactions
Similar to Diazepam.
Overdose
An individual who has consumed too much clonazepam will display one
or
more of the following symptoms:
Somnolence (difficulty staying awake)
Mental confusion
Hypotension
Impaired motor functions
Impaired reflexes
Impaired coordination
Impaired balance
Dizziness
Coma
Unless combined with other drugs, deep coma or other and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder,[4] with the combination being
manifestations of severe central nervous system depression are rare, and the mortality rate associated with poisoning is very low. As with other benzodiazepines, overdose symptoms of clonazepam may
be
reversed with flumazenil (Romazicon®).
Recreational Use
Benzodiazapines such as Clonazepam are sometimes used recreationally, when used for this function they are often referred to by the slang term "clammies", "Klonnies",
or
"Kpins" if in Klonopin form, most commonly as a secondary drug to increase the pleasure resulting from a primary drug, or possibly to lessen or prevent some of the primary drug's negative side effects. It should be noted that relatively few cases of addiction arise from legitimate use of benzodiazepines. [5]
Up to 30% of individuals treated on a long-term basis develop a form of dependence known as "low-dose-dependence". These patients do not develop a tolerance, and do not need increasingly large doses to experience the anxiolytic side effects of the drug.
References
O'Brien, CP. "Benzodiazepine use, abuse, and dependence", Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2005;66 Suppl 2:28-33. [6]
Wallace, Christina. "Kpin, a hit drug with teens, can be deadly, officials say." Boston Metro, Wednesday April 12, 2006. Page 2.
So... Why?
Pharmacology
Like other benzodiazepines, clonazepam is believed to act by simulating the action of GABA on the central nervous system. Because of strong anxiolytic properties and euphoric side-effects it is said to be among the class of 'highly potent' benzodiazepines.
Although
benzodiazepines are valuable in the treatment of anxiety disorders, they have some potential for misuse and may cause dependence
or
addiction. The sedative effects of clonazepam are relatively weak, when compared to its strong anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects, as well as when
So there you have it.
-krsna77
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