Klonopin (Clonazepam) - Summary

KLONOPIN SUMMARY

Klonopin, a benzodiazepine, is available as scored tablets with a K-shaped perforation containing 0.5 mg of clonazepam and unscored tablets with a K-shaped perforation containing 1 mg or 2 mg of clonazepam.

Seizure Disorders

Klonopin 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, Klonopin 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 reestablish efficacy.

Panic Disorder

Klonopin 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 Klonopin 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, ie, 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 Klonopin 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 Klonopin for extended periods should periodically reevaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

See all Klonopin indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Klonopin (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 Klonopin (Clonazepam)

Bioavailability Study of Clonazepam Tablets Under Fasting Conditions [Completed]

Bioavailability Study of Clonazepam ODT Under Fasting Conditions [Completed]

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]

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.

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Reports of Suspected Klonopin (Clonazepam) Side Effects

Insomnia (35),  Anxiety (33),  Feeling Abnormal (32),  Drug Ineffective (30),  Somnolence (30),  Headache (28),  Depression (26),  Pain (23),  Weight Increased (20),  Suicidal Ideation (18), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Klonopin review by 33 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		anxiety
Dosage & duration:		2mg taken three times daily for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:		obesity
Other drugs taken:		lessina
		Reported Results
Benefits:		decreased anxiety less insomnia
Side effects:		none
Comments:		one pill three times daily, including at beditime to facilitate sleep

Klonopin review by 23 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Moderate Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		panic disorder
Dosage & duration:		1mg taken daily for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:		anxiety, depression
Other drugs taken:		effexor
		Reported Results
Benefits:		It has the effect of major Reduction in anxiety, it produces alot of calmness, able to function properly, they pills cured insomnia, it made me get less sever panic attacks, reduction and or elimination of panic attacks, it improveded mood.It was the best drug for panic attacks
Side effects:		They are very addictive and lose effectiveness over time. You become dependent on them and you need more and more to reduce your anxiety. It is very difficult to get off this drug. It make you gain wait and you have to get off of it eventually. You have to get off them slowly
Comments:		i took the drug for a long time and wit was really amazing and i like it and it was awewesome and it was afucn and it was cool and it was sweet but it was verry addicting and it sohouldnt be used for a long period of time because it losses effectiness over time

Klonopin review by 62 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		panic disorder
Dosage & duration:		2mg daily taken 4 months for the period of 4 months
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		none
Side effects:		blurred vision; inability to function on daily basis; 100% grogginess 24/7.
Comments:		Was incorrectly diagnosed with bi-polar. Panic attacks for 20 yrs. During most of the 20 yrs. xanax (alprazolam) was prescribed. Worked great; 100% effective. Was put on clonazepam - worst feeling ever; 2 mg daily, extreme tiredness, couldn't function doing daily activities. Dropped down to 1mg per script; same effect as taking 2mg. Prescribed .05mg; same effect as above. Since learned clonazepam is a sedative medication. Would not recommend to anyone.