Clonopine (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine that has been shown to be effective in treating panic disorder and also sometimes for social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Benzodiazepines work by reducing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Using Klonopin may be helpful in controlling anxiety; It usually works to reduce anxiety, but it may take some time before you start taking full advantage of the medication.
If you have recently been prescribed Klonopin, or are considering using medicine for SAD, you probably have a lot of questions. Learning more about this medication can help alleviate your anxiety.
administration
Clonopine is available as a tablet or an oral disintegrating tablet (wafer). Regular tablets should be taken with water, while wafers without water can be swallowed. It usually becomes one to three times a day, with or without food.
Dose Riglyne
The initial daily dose of Klonopin for panic disorder is 0.5 mg to 1 mg per day in divided doses. Your dose can be increased if necessary.
If you are taking Klonopin for social anxiety disorder , your doctor should first prescribe a low dose for a limited period (such as one week) and then follow up with the evaluation of its effectiveness, side effects and dose adjustment.
Who to avoid
You should not take Klonopin if you have a history of sensitivity to benzodiazepines, significant liver disease or acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
Use of Klonopin during pregnancy or breast-feeding is not recommended. There is also no information on the safety or effectiveness of Klonopin in children under 18 years of age.
Medication Interactions
There are a number of possible medication interactions with Klonopin. Various classes of medications including narcotics, barbiturates, nonbarbiturate hypnotics, antioxidants, phenothiazines, thioxanthines and butyrophenone classes of antipsychotics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants may improve the depressant or calming effect.
In addition, the effects of Klonopin may be enhanced when combined with other drugs or alcohol. It is important that your doctor is aware of all the medicines you are currently using.
Potential side effects
The most common possible adverse effects you may experience when using Klonopin are somnolence, dizziness and cognitive impairment. These effects usually increase with larger doses and for older individuals.
Other possible adverse effects you may experience include the following:
- shakiness
- Coordination problems
- Increased saliva production
- Pain in your muscles or joints
- Regular urination
- Disturbed vision
- Changes in your sex drive or sexual performance
Some additional potential side effects may be serious and should be reported to your doctor immediately. These include rashes, hives, swelling (of your face, throat, eyes, etc.) and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Associated Risks
In general, there is some physical and psychological dependence when using Klonopin. If you stop taking Klonopin suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions to discontinue this medication or to change your dose. Never stop using this medication suddenly without talking to your doctor, even if you experience adverse effects.
The effects of overdose are generally not life-threatening unless combined with other drugs or alcohol.
The management, operation of hazardous machinery and participation in hazardous activities should not be undertaken until you know how you will react to this medication.
Medication Removal
Make sure you take medication that you do not need. If you are unsure, talk to your pharmacist about the right way to dispose of this medication.
A Word From
This information should be used in consultation with your doctor’s advice if you are prescribing Klonopin for social anxiety disorder. If you are concerned about medication or wondering about other treatment options for SAD, know that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also been shown to be effective.
While medication can help reduce your symptoms of anxiety, speech therapy such as CBT will teach you how to monitor and change your thought patterns to deal with situations in a more adaptable way.
