USED FOR:
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Myoclonic seizures |
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Akinetic seizures |
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Absence seizures |
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Lennox Gastaut syndrome |
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Used with some success in partial seizures, infantile spasms, tonic-clonic seizures |
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Tolerance may develop during the first 3 months or more of treatment and you may cease to respond to clonazepam. |
PRECAUTIONS:
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Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disorder, respiratory disease or glaucoma. |
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If you have several different types of seizures clonazepam may increase or precipitate generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizures. |
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Use caution when performing tasks requiring complete mental alertness. |
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS:
Depending on the individual, side effects may occur at varying degrees or not at all, including:
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drowsiness |
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respiratory problems |
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loss of coordination |
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increased salivation |
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behavioural and personality changes, such as aggressiveness, irritability, agitation, hyperactivity. |
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sedation (but may diminish over time) |
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forgetfulness or confusion |
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swelling of the face and eyelids (should be evaluated by a physician) |
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increased seizures/appearance of other seizure types |
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Allergic Reaction/Idiosyncratic - skin rash (if you notice a rash seek immediate medical help) - leukopenia (low white blood cell count) rare
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
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Alcohol or other drugs that slow down the nervous system (CNS depressants) may increase the depressant effects of clonazepam, as may using multiple anti-epilepsy drugs. |
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Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and primidone may lower the concentration of clonazepam |
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Valproic acid with clonazepam may produce continuous absence seizures |
Inform your doctor of any other medicines (prescription and non-prescription) or substances you are taking.
DAILY DOSAGE:
Adults - 8-10 mg/day
Children ( 30kg)- 0.05 to 0.2 mg/kg/day
Regimen - Daily dose usually divided into three equal doses.
Dosage of clonazepam must be individualized according to each patient's response and tolerance.
FORMS:
Tablets - 0.5 and 2 mg
Liquid Suspension - 0.1 mg/ml
TIPS FOR USING CLONAZEPAM (Rivotril®):
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Avoid alcohol and other drugs that slow down the nervous system (CNS depressants) while on clonazepam |
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Drowsiness and loss of coordination may diminish over time. |
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If you develop a tolerance for clonazepam, your doctor may adjust your dose to re-establish efficacy. |
MISSED DOSE:
Try to take each dose at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered. Do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. If you skip a whole day, inform your doctor.
STORAGE:
Store at room temperature (15 to 30oC), protect from light, heat, and moisture, and keep out of reach of children.
IN PREGNANCY:
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Anti-epileptic medications may slightly increase the risk of fetal abnormalities |
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Women who are considering pregnancy should first consult their doctor |
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While on clonazepam, mothers should not breast feed |
WARNING:
Abrupt withdrawal of any anti-epileptic medication may trigger status epilepticus, a potentially fatal condition of continued seizures without recovery. When there is a need for reduction, discontinuation or substitution of the medication, this should be done gradually and under the physician's care.
MORE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR MEDICATION
CREDIT:
This drug fact sheet has been reviewed by the pharmacists of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association Drug Information and Research Centre (DIRC).
DISCLAIMER:
The material offered on the website of Epilepsy Toronto is to provide general information about epilepsy to the public. It is not intended to be taken as personal medical advice. Epilepsy Toronto, its employees, Board members, Medical Advisors, volunteers, agents and sponsors do not assume responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions or for consequences from the use of information obtained over this site or any links accessed through this site, and is not liable for any outcome or damages resulting from information in its content in either an indirect or direct form. We recognize that each individual's experience of epilepsy is different. Consult your physician and/or neurologist and/or pharmacist with any questions you have.
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