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Clonazepam (Clonazepam) - Summary

 
 



CLONAZEPAM SUMMARY

Clonazepam Tablets USP, a benzodiazepine, is available as scored tablets containing 0.5 mg of clonazepam and unscored tablets containing 1 mg or 2 mg of clonazepam. Each tablet also contains colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose, with the following colorants: 0.5 mg – D&C Yellow #10 aluminum lake; 1 mg – FD&C Blue #1 aluminum lake.

Seizure Disorders:

Clonazepam is useful alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, clonazepam may be useful.

In some studies, up to 30% of patients have shown a loss of anticonvulsant activity, often within 3 months of administration. In some cases, dosage adjustment may re-establish efficacy.

Panic Disorder:

Clonazepam is indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, as defined in DSM-IV. Panic disorder is characterized by the occurrence of unexpected panic attacks and associated concern about having additional attacks, worry about the implications or consequences of the attacks, and/or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks.

The efficacy of clonazepam was established in two 6- to 9-week trials in panic disorder patients whose diagnoses corresponded to the DSM-IIIR category of panic disorder (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY :   Clinical Trials ).

Panic disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, i.e., a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:  (1) palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate; (2) sweating; (3) trembling or shaking; (4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; (5) feeling of choking; (6) chest pain or discomfort; (7) nausea or abdominal distress; (8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint; (9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself); (10) fear of losing control; (11) fear of dying; (12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations); (13) chills or hot flushes.

The effectiveness of clonazepam in long-term use, that is, for more than 9 weeks, has not been systematically studied in controlled clinical trials. The physician who elects to use clonazepam for extended periods should periodically re-evaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).


See all Clonazepam indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Clonazepam

Comparing Gabapentin with Clonazepam for Residual Sleeping Problems following Antidepressant Therapy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2015]
for treating residual sleeping disturbances... CONCLUSION: This study revealed that gabapentin is comparable to clonazepam for

A double-blind study on clonazepam in patients with burning mouth syndrome. [2012]
STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial... CONCLUSIONS: Clonazepam appears to have a positive effect on pain in BMS

Comparing effects of clonazepam and zolpidem on sleep quality of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. [2011]
patients... CONCLUSIONS: Clonazepam was more effective than zolpidem in the improvement of

Fluoxetine-clonazepam cotherapy for anxious depression: an exploratory, post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double blind study. [2010.01]
Anxious depression, defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by high levels of anxiety, seems to be both common and difficult to treat, with antidepressant monotherapy often yielding modest results. We sought to examine the relative benefits of antidepressant-anxiolytic cotherapy versus antidepressant monotherapy for patients with anxious depression versus without anxious depression...

Fluoxetine-clonazepam cotherapy for anxious depression: an exploratory, post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double blind study. [2010]
Anxious depression, defined as major depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by high levels of anxiety, seems to be both common and difficult to treat, with antidepressant monotherapy often yielding modest results. We sought to examine the relative benefits of antidepressant-anxiolytic cotherapy versus antidepressant monotherapy for patients with anxious depression versus without anxious depression...

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Clinical Trials Related to Clonazepam

Effect of Clonazepam on REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Patients With Parkinsonism [Recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to determine whether clonazepam is effective and safe in the treatment of rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Study of Antiepileptic Drug in Generalised Convulsive Status Epilepticus [Completed]

Bioavailability Study of Clonazepam ODT Under Fasting Conditions [Completed]

Bioavailability Study of Clonazepam Tablets Under Fasting Conditions [Completed]

Acupuncture Versus Clonazepam in Burning Mouth Syndrome [Completed]
Objective: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is chronic oral condition characterized with burning symptoms which affects perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. It seems that neuropathy might be the underlying cause of the condition. There are still insufficient data regarding successful therapy. The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of acupuncture and clonazepam in 42 BMS patients (38 women, 4 men), age range 66. 7±12 years. Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Acupuncture was performed in group I during four weeks, 3 times per week on the points ST 8, GB 2, TB 21, SI 19, SI 18, LI 4 on both sides of the body as well as GV 20, each session lasted half an hour. Group II patients took clonazepam two times a day (0. 5 mg) in the morning and after two weeks two tablets (0. 5 mg) in the morning and in the evening during the next two weeks. Prior to and one month after either therapy, participants fulfilled questionnaires: visual analogue scale, Beck depression inventory, LANSS pain scale, 36-item short form Health Survey (SF-36) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Statistical analysis was performed by use of Student t test and Pearson's correlation test. P values lower than 0. 05 were considered significant.

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Clonazepam Side Effects

Completed Suicide (261)Toxicity TO Various Agents (160)Cardiac Arrest (117)Respiratory Arrest (109)Cardio-Respiratory Arrest (104)Death (93)Drug Ineffective (78)Anxiety (78)Somnolence (66)Convulsion (66)more >>


PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 13 ratings/reviews, Clonazepam has an overall score of 7.77. The effectiveness score is 8.46 and the side effect score is 8. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Clonazepam review by 21 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Anxiety/ Panic Attacks
Dosage & duration:   0.5mg taken as needed for the period of 2 1/2 years
Other conditions:   BiPolar, Depression, Anxiety
Other drugs taken:   Welbutrin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I get very bad panic attacks and completely break down no matter where I am. I decided that I couldn't let it control my life anymore, so I talked to my doctor and he prescribed me clonazepam. This drug is very dependable and works fast. Whenever I feel anxiety coming on I will take 1 or 2 pills and I'm fine.
Side effects:   It makes me sleepy, but it's definitely worth it. I'd rather feel tired than have a panic attack
Comments:   As needed

 

Clonazepam review by 32 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   sleep walking/talking
Dosage & duration:   1mg taken before bedtime for the period of 7 months
Other conditions:   obesity, migraines
Other drugs taken:   Midrin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   This drug is very effective in making me sleep well, and works as a paralytic on my brain to keep me from sleep walking/talking. It has also cut down on my migraines since I started taking it.
Side effects:   Daytime drowsiness, highly addictive, bad withdrawal symptoms which caused terrible insomnia.
Comments:   I took 1mg at night (up from an initial 1/2 mg dose) before bed as a treatment for sleep walking/talking and the inability to progress to deep sleep. This medicine worked great at first, but after 6 months I was no longer seeing a benefit. The doctor took me off of it for 2 weeks as a drug holiday to let my brain rest, and had to put me on another med during that time because I had terrible insomnia as a result of withdrawal (I have never had insomnia in my life). I do have some short term memory problems, but overall saw a bigger benefit to feeling better and an increased quality of life to stop taking the drug.

 

Clonazepam review by 57 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Blepharospasm
Dosage & duration:   1 mg taken 1/day for the period of 3 months - still taking it
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Very slight reduction in muscle spasms around eyes. Ended up also getting light Botox injections in eyelid muscles. This combo therapy has not resulted in a total cessation of eyelid spasms, but has reduced them enough so that I can drive again (the main disability caused by the blepharospasm). Taking the clonazepam at night also helps me get a better night's rest than before I took it.
Side effects:   The first few days I took it I was dizzy and very sleepy. However, those side effects have now subsided.
Comments:   Take 1 MG tab at night before bed. As mentioned above, also got Botox injections to reduce eyelid spasmx.

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Page last updated: 2015-08-10

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