Importance of Sleep

When it comes to the treatment of anxiety, a frequently asked question associated with medication is simply, what is clonazepam used for? Also known by the brand name Klonopin, this medication is an anti-anxiety treatment that belongs to the benzodiazepine class. Although this medication is mainly used to treat panic disorders and seizures, it can be used to treat other conditions like akathisia too. Akathisia is a movement disorder that is characterised by restlessness and a reduced ability to stand or sit still.

Clonazepam tablets come in two forms, one being an oral disintegrating tablet (dissolving tablet) and a normal oral tablet that can be swallowed whole. Below is a breakdown of clonazepam side effects, dangers, addiction, withdrawal symptoms for people who are looking to buy clonazepam tablets. Like with all medications, the likelihood of side effects exists. Some known clonazepam side effects include tiredness, dizziness, and muscle weakness. These commons side effects are generally mild and do not affect every person. They usually improve as the body gets used this treatment.

Clonazepam Effects

This medication is known to be very quick and effective, usually taking effect within one hour of consumption. From there, the effects can last anything from 6 to 12 hours. Some patients who buy anxiety medication use this anxiolytic treatment as part of a combination therapy. In other words, this medicine can be used in conjunction with other medications or treatments like psychotherapy.

Another common question that often gets asked is how does clonazepam work? This medication increases the activity of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a chemical that sends signals within a person’s nervous system. When there is a deficiency of GABA in a person’s body, that person becomes at risk of falling into what is called an ‘excited state,’ thus resulting in a seizure or panic attack.

GABA is essentially the body’s natural calming chemical that helps reduce the activity of nerve cells when they become overexcited. The tranquilising effect of this medication can also be beneficial for the treatment of insomnia, particularly insomnia associated with anxiety. In clinical studies, it has been shown to decrease the time to sleep onset, while reducing or preventing nocturnal awakenings.

Is Clonazepam Dangerous?

The effects of this product vary from person to person. The risk of serious clonazepam side effects can be heightened when this anti-anxiety treatment is used in conjunction with some other medications. For example, the use of this medication with opioids is known to cause serious side effects that can be dangerous. Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking clonazepam anti-anxiety medication with other products like opioid pain or cough relievers, lorazepam, sleep medication or muscled relaxants. Mixing these medications can alter the way they work, increasing the chance of adverse effects.

Clonazepam Addiction

Chronic use of this medication can lead to addiction, as the body tends to build up tolerance over long-term treatment periods. In other words, the risk of dependence increases if this medication is taken long after the recommended, or intended, treatment duration. Cautiously adhering to patient usage advice will significantly reduce the likelihood of dependence and clonazepam side effects.

A doctor will typically prescribe a lower clonazepam dosage for a patient in the beginning of treatment. This will allow their body to adjust to the medication, with little or no side effects. Throughout treatment, the lowest dosage that can still produce the desired effect is highly recommended. Below is a breakdown of the recommend dosage for seizures and panic attacks in adults.

• For seizures, adults who fall within the age bracket of 18 to 64 years can start at a dose of 0.5 mg, to be consumed three times a day.
• Often, doctors increase a person’s dosage by 0.5 mg to 1 mg, every 3 days. This may be done whilst monitoring the frequency of seizures until such a point that they are controlled.
• The maximum dosage per individual is 20 mg per day, which should be divided in doses throughout the day.

For the treatment of seizures in elderly patients, the recommended dosage of this medication is usually lower than the adult dosage. Medications are known to process slower in senior citizens, as their kidneys may not work as well as those who are much younger. Due to this, the likelihood of the medication staying in the body for a prolonged period is higher, making elderly patients more prone to the risk of side effects. Doctors will need to start them at a lower dosage to prevent buildup of the medication in the body. Use this medication with extra care if you are over the age of 65.

• For the treatment of panic disorder, the usual starting dose for adults is 0.25 mg, to be consumed two times a day.
• You may increase the dose to 0.5 mg, 2 times a day after a period of 3 days.
• The maximum dosage per individual is 4 mg per day.

Clonazepam Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person stops taking this medicine or reduces the dosage amount significantly, they become at risk of developing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms usually last a few days or weeks and include restlessness, irritability, muscle tension and difficulty concentrating.

If you have been taking this medication for longer than two weeks, it is therefore advisable to taper the medication slowly. Tapering means slowly decreasing the dose until a patient is able to discontinue treatment without withdrawal symptoms. Adhering to a tapering schedule is integral to preventing physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. The following are some clonazepam tapering strategies:

• Reduce the dosage by 0.5 mg every 14 days until the dosage is 1 mg daily. This dosage can subsequently be reduced to 0.25 mg per week.
• Reduce the dosage by 0.25 mg per week until the taper process is no longer needed.
• Reduce the dose by 25% in the first week and 10% for each subsequent week.

The duration of time needed for tapering is usually affected by the size of the person’s usual dose. For example, if someone is taking clonazepam 2 mg doses (6 mg per day) or higher, it will generally take them longer to end treatment. In contrast, someone who has been taking a lower dose will usually be able to wean off this medication in less time.