Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Clonazepam? Then you probably have a lot of questions about what this medicine is, what it is for, and whether there are any side effects. That's normal. It's very important to be fully informed when starting a new medicine. So don't worry, today we will talk about this medicine called Clonazepam in a simple way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is Clonazepam?
Clonazepam is a medication used to treat conditions such as seizures. It is also used to treat panic disorder, a severe anxiety disorder that some people experience.
This belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. To be precise, this medication works by calming your nervous system and controlling excessive agitation, or unwanted electrical activity, in your brain. This can help reduce the likelihood of seizures and panic attacks.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting clonazepam, it is extremely important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Alcohol or drug addiction. | This medication also has the potential to be addictive, so the risk may be increased. |
| Other mental illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder. | This medication can affect mental status, which may worsen an existing illness. |
| Glaucoma. | Eye pressure can be affected. |
| Kidney or liver disease. | Because these organs help remove drugs from the body, if their function is impaired, the dosage of the drug may need to be adjusted. |
| Lung or breathing problems (such as asthma). | This medication can slow breathing slightly, so it can be dangerous if you already have breathing problems. |
| Neurological diseases such as myasthenia gravis and Parkinson's disease. | These symptoms may worsen. |
| The presence of suicidal thoughts. | This medication can sometimes increase such thoughts, so the doctor should be especially careful about it. |
| Being pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | This medicine may affect the baby in the womb or through breast milk. |
How should I use the medicine?
- Take with a glass of water: Take the pill at the prescribed time with a glass of water, as prescribed by your doctor.
- If you get an upset stomach: Some people may experience a slight upset stomach after taking this. If so, take the medicine with a meal or a glass of milk.
- Take it on time: Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed times. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
- Do not stop suddenly (very important): This is the most important thing you need to remember. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause your symptoms to return more severely, make you feel worse, or cause severe reactions. If you stop taking the medicine or change the dosage, do so gradually, as your doctor tells you to.
Overdosage: If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once just because you forgot.
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Clonazepam is a drug that can interact with other medications and alcohol, so if you are taking this medication, you should be very careful about the following:
| Things you should never take | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Alcohol can increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by clonazepam, which can be very dangerous. |
| Some cough syrups (Narcotic medications for cough) | These also increase drowsiness, and taking both together can even cause respiratory arrest. |
| Things to be very careful about when taking and what to inform your doctor about | |
| Medicines for colds and allergies (Antihistamines) | These also cause drowsiness, which is further increased when taken with clonazepam. |
| Medications for depression, anxiety, and insomnia | Ex: (amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline) |
| Narcotic medications for pain | May cause excessive sleepiness and breathing difficulties. |
| Other medications given for fit | Ex: (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin) |
| Anesthetic drugs used in surgery | If you are undergoing surgery, it is imperative to tell the doctors that you are taking clonazepam. |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, herbal medicine, or supplement you take. Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
What side effects might I experience when taking the medicine?
Like any medicine, clonazepam can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are not serious, but there are some things we should be especially careful about.
| Things to report to your doctor immediately |
|---|
|
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist |
|
Special attention to drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, avoid getting up from a standing position and getting up from a sitting position to avoid falls.
How do you keep your medicine safe?
- Keep away from children and pets.
- Since some people tend to misuse (abuse) this medicine, keep it in a safe place where it can be protected from thieves.
- Never share your medicine with anyone else. Doing so is dangerous and illegal.
- Store the bottle tightly closed in an airtight container, away from light, at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius).
- Do not use after the expiration date. Mix any remaining medicine with something like coffee grounds or cat litter, put it in a tightly sealed container, and discard.
Take-Home Message
- Clonazepam is a medication that should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly for any reason without your doctor's advice.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medicine. It is very dangerous.
- As drowsiness may occur, avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness until you become accustomed to the medication.
- If you experience any changes in your mental state or negative thoughts, inform your doctor immediately.
- Give your doctor a complete description of all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
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