Clonazepam Description

Generic Name: CLONAZEPAM

Pronunciation: (kloe na' ze pam)

Trade Name(s): Clonotril, Lonazep, Rivotril, Klonopin

Why it is prescribed: Clonazepam is used to control seizures, including seizures caused by epilepsy.

When it is to be taken: Clonazepam usually is taken three times a day, including a dose at bedtime. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken: Clonazepam comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction:
1. If the severity of your seizures increases, contact your doctor.
2. The drug can lose its effectiveness after several months or years.
3. Clonazepam can decrease alertness and coordination. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
4. As clonazepam is habit-forming, do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than as directed.
5. Do not stop taking this drug without consulting your doctor, especially if you have been taking large doses for a long time.
6. Stopping the drug abruptly can cause irritability, restlessness, sleeplessness, handtremors, sweating, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, and seizures.
7. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually. Keep all appointments with your doctor so that your response to the medication can be evaluated.
8. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is near that time for your next scheduled dose, omit the missed dose and take only the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects:
1. Drowsiness, muscle incoordination and behavioral problems like aggressiveness, irritability, agitation, and excessive movement are seen. Contact your doctor if these effects persist.
2. Increased salivation, chest congestion, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions:
1. Pregnant or breast-feeding women should inform their doctors.
2. If you become pregnant while taking clonazepam, contact your doctor but do not stop taking the drug.
3. Before taking clonazepam, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other seizure medication, cimetidine, disulfiram, levodopa, sleeping pills, prescription pain medication, barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, antihistamines, and medication for allergies and colds.
4. Before taking clonazepam, tell your doctor if you have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or other lung disease; kidney disease; liver disease; or glaucoma.
5. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by the drug, so limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
6. Do not smoke while taking clonazepam. Smoking can decrease its effectiveness.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light