Overview

Clonazepam is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Clonazepam is used to treat seizure disorders or panic disorder.

ATMOZEPAM USED FOR?

Clonazepam is used to prevent and control seizures. This medication is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug. It is also used to treat panic attacks. Clonazepam works by calming your brain and nerves. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Warnings

Do NOT use clonazepam if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in clonazepam or to another benzodiazepine (eg, diazepam)

you have a severe mental disorder, acute angle glaucoma, or severe liver disease

you are taking sodium oxybate (GHB) Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Contraindications

Clonazepam should not be used in patients with a history of sensitivity to benzodiazepines, nor in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. It may be used in patients with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy but is contraindicated in acute narrow angle glaucoma.

Side Effects

drowsiness, dizziness, problems with thinking or memory, tired feeling, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination, slurred speech, drooling or dry mouth, sore gums, runny or stuffy nose, loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, blurred vision, headache.

Dosage

Oral:
Disclaimer:To be taken only after consulting with the doctor.

Storage

Tablets should be kept at room temperature, between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

The precise mechanism by which clonazepam exerts its antiseizure and antipanic effects is unknown, although it is believed to be related to its ability to enhance the activity of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Convulsions produced in rodents by pentylenetetrazol or, to a lesser extent, electrical stimulation are antagonized, as are convulsions produced by photic stimulation in susceptible baboons. A taming effect in aggressive primates, muscle weakness and hypnosis are also produced. In humans, clonazepam is capable of suppressing the spike and wave discharge in absence seizures (petit mal) and decreasing the frequency, amplitude, duration and spread of discharge in minor motor seizures.

Pharmacokinetics

Clonazepam is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration. The absolute bioavailability of clonazepam is about 90%. Maximum plasma concentrations of clonazepam are reached within 1 to 4 hours after oral administration. Clonazepam is approximately 85% bound to plasma proteins. Clonazepam is highly metabolized, with less than 2% unchanged clonazepam being excreted in the urine. Biotransformation occurs mainly by reduction of the 7-nitro group to the 4-amino derivative. This derivative can be acetylated, hydroxylated and glucuroni dated. Cytochrome P-450 including CYP3A, may play an important role in clonazepam reduction and oxidation. The elimination half-life of clonazepam is typically 30 to 40 hours. Clonazepam pharmacokinetics are dose-independent throughout the dosing range. There is no evidence that clonazepam induces its own metabolism or that of other drugs in humans.

Interactions

Clonazepam, like all other benzodiazepines, accentuates the effects of other drugs that slow the brain's processes, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics and leads to increased sedation.