What is Klonopin
ClonazepamThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryClonazepam is a medication that has been used since 1960 to treat seizures, such as myotonic or atonic seizures and absence seizures. It can also be used to treat panic disorder. The drug works by boosting the effects of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid. Clonazepam is widely used and is available as a generic medication. It is prescribed to millions of people around the world each year, but it can also be abused recreationally.
Klonopinis the brand name
Klonopin Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Klonopin
Clonazepam
1975
356
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Clonazepam, otherwise called Klonopin, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses including Akinetic seizures and myoclonic seizures .Akinetic seizures
Helps manage Akinetic seizures
myoclonic seizures
Helps manage myoclonic seizures
Seizures
Helps manage refractory absence Seizures
Panic Disorder
Effectiveness
How Klonopin Affects PatientsClonazepam is a type of benzodiazepine that has several effects, including reducing seizures, calming the body, and reducing anxiety. It works quickly to control many types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, like seizures or abnormal spikes in brain waves. It is especially effective at decreasing the frequency, intensity, and spread of minor motor seizures. Clonazepam can be used to treat both generalized and specific epileptic conditions.
How Klonopin works in the bodyGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it stops neurons from firing. Clonazepam binds to GABA-receptors and makes it easier for GABA to bind and stop neurons from firing. This helps control seizures and also reduces fear-based responses, making it an effective anti-anxiety drug. Clonazepam essentially amplifies the effects of GABA, resulting in a calming effect on the nervous system.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Klonopin is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, including Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS), Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) and myoclonic seizures. The amount of dosage is adjustable in regard to the method of delivery (e.g. Tablet or Oral) presented in the following table.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
myoclonic seizures
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Tardive Dyskinesia
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Akinetic seizures
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Eye Movements
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Tremor, Essential
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Behcet Syndrome
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Bipolar Disorder
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Seizures
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Acute Coryza
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Burning Mouth Syndrome
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Panic Disorder
2.0 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, , 0.25 mg, 0.125 mg
Tablet, Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral, Tablet - Oral, , Tablet, orally disintegrating, Wafer - Oral, Wafer
Warnings
Klonopin has three contraindications and should be avoided in cases of the ailments listed in the following table.Klonopin ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
Do Not Combine
Myasthenia Gravis
Do Not Combine
Respiratory Insufficiency
Do Not Combine
Toxoplasma Infections
Do Not Combine
Disease
Do Not Combine
Glaucoma
Do Not Combine
Common Klonopin Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Aminophylline
Major
The metabolism of Aminophylline can be decreased when combined with Clonazepam.
Azelastine
Major
Clonazepam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Azelastine.
Ethanol
Major
Clonazepam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Ethanol.
Methadone
Major
Clonazepam may increase the central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant) activities of Methadone.
Olanzapine
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Clonazepam is combined with Olanzapine.
Klonopin Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking clonazepam can cause drowsiness, difficulty speaking, unsteadiness, and involuntary eye movements. Overdosing on clonazepam usually isn't serious, but can lead to decreased reflexes, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and coma. It's possible that taking clonazepam while pregnant or breastfeeding could harm the baby. Clonazepam is not recommended for children under 5 years of age and elderly patients should start on the lowest dose possible. There is also an increased risk of falls and fractures among elderly people taking clonazepam or other sedatives. The toxic dose
Klonopin Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Klonopin?
24 active investigations are examining the potential of Klonopin to ameliorate Behcet Syndrome, Tremor, Essential and Myoclonic Seizures.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Behcet Syndrome
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Tremor, Essential
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
myoclonic seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Burning Mouth Syndrome
0 Actively Recruiting
Eye Movements
0 Actively Recruiting
Gilles de la Tourette's Syndrome
0 Actively Recruiting
Panic Disorder
19 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 2
Acute Coryza
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Bipolar Disorder
0 Actively Recruiting
Tardive Dyskinesia
0 Actively Recruiting
Akinetic seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
1 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Seizures
0 Actively Recruiting
Lennox Gastaut Syndrome (LGS)
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3
Klonopin Reviews: What are patients saying about Klonopin?
5Patient Review
5/22/2018 Klonopin has really helped me manage my anxiety and panic attacks. I was worried about potential side effects, but my doctor assured me that they would be manageable. So far the only notable side effect has been some hair loss, which is a small price to pay for being able to live a normal life again.
5Patient Review
12/14/2018 This drug worked very quickly for me to eliminate my anxiety and panic. I had been struggling with racing thoughts constantly, but after just one dose of this medication, they were gone. I use it in combination with fentanyl patches because I can't take any SRI or SSRI drugs because they cause serotonin syndrome and clonus.
5Patient Review
3/31/2021 I've found this treatment to be much more effective than something like Xanax. However, it is best used on days when social interaction is necessary; if taken every day, it doesn't seem to work as well.
5Patient Review
1/20/2022 If you're looking for a way to stop taking clonazepam, carbamazepine is the only drug that can do it. So if you've been experiencing panic attacks and seizures, tell your doctor to prescribe carbamazepine. And don't worry about the future too much – we can't control what happens, so worrying won't help. Instead, focus on the present moment and enjoying your life.
4.7Patient Review
8/1/2018 I've been using this drug to treat my panic attacks for a decade now, and it's by far the most effective one I've tried. I had no problems whatsoever reducing my dosage from 0.5 mg to 0.25 mg - just go slowly and you'll be fine!
2.7Patient Review
2/6/2019 My GP really messed up when they prescribed this to me. I was taking 3 mg per day for ten months and it made it impossible for me to function. Stay away from benzos if you can, and look into CBT or DBT instead.
2.3Patient Review
4/22/2021 I overdosed on Xanax and had to spend eight days in a behavioral health hospital. They gave me Klonopin twice a day, which caused me nightmares. Once I was out of the hospital, I realized that this is a common side effect of the drug.
Patient Q&A Section about klonopin
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Are Klonopin a narcotic?
"Klonopin is not a narcotic, and taking it in large doses can make you feel high. Narcotics are drugs used to relieve severe pain that work by depressing the central nervous system."
Answered by AI
Is Klonopin good for anxiety?
"Klonopin is a type of benzodiazepine medication typically used to treat seizures, panic attacks, and anxiety. It may also be used as a secondary medication to help manage symptoms of mania in people with bipolar disorder."
Answered by AI
Can Klonopin make you sleepy?
"Clonazepam (Klonopin) works by slowing down your central nervous system.
No, clonazepam (Klonopin) is not a sleeping pill. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is approved by the FDA for anxiety and panic disorders, not insomnia. However, a common side effect of the drug is drowsiness, so a lot of people have taken clonazepam (Klonopin) to help them sleep. Clonazepam (Klonopin) works by slowing down your central nervous system."
Answered by AI
What does Klonopin do to you?
"A long-acting Benzodiazepine, Klonopin is the brand name for Clonazepam. Klonopin is a drug that slows down brain activity to help users feel relaxed. It was initially formulated to help people with epilepsy manage seizures. However, later on, it was discovered that the drug's rapid and powerful calming effects could also be used to treat panic attacks."
Answered by AI