Anxiety disorders are chronic, recurrent and serious mental illnesses that result in functional impairment and are associated with significant social costs. Benzodiazepines are useful drugs for treating anxiety disorders, in part because they have a quick onset of action and are generally well tolerated. Due to their potential addictive risk, Benzodiazepines are more commonly used for short periods of time and in conjunction with other medications, including antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Although high potency Benzodiazepines are known to have higher risks of causing memory impairment, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms, high potency Benzodiazepines remain an important option for patients with high levels of anticipatory anxiety and frequent anxiety attacks.
Among the many high potency Benzodiazepines available clonazepam, the most frequently recommended and widely used in the clinical setting. Although similarities exist among most Benzodiazepines, differences in the pharmacologic properties exist and the efficacy of the Benzodiazepines varies across the spectrum of anxiety disorders.
Many experts further suggest carefully assessing the pros and cons of the diverse array of Benzodiazepines before selecting an agent for a patient. Numerous studies have been conducted to compare the efficacy of different Benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety disorder.
Despite these facts, studies comparing the efficacy and tolerability of these three widely used Benzodiazepines in patients with anxiety disorder taking concomitant antidepressants are lacking. Moreover, as novel agents with anxiolytic effects have become available, studies in the most recent decade have typically focused on comparing the effectiveness of Benzodiazepines with other agents, including new antidepressants.
What is Klonopin
Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam. It comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg dosages. It's a prescription medication that classifies as a benzodiazepine tranquilizer, used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that clonazepam is also used to treat seizure disorders. These substances all share similar chemical properties and effects with the major difference being the speed of action and total time that the positive effects last. Some of these can affect the user for up to 24 hours. All benzodiazepines have depressant effects that result in a net slowing of various physical and mental processes. In some situations, benzodiazepines are prescribed for their sedative-hypnotic effects, for their muscle relaxing benefits, and to manage the precarious withdrawal from substances like alcohol. Because of its desirable anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety effects, this drug is prescribed as a pharmaceutical treatment for anxiety disorders - including panic attacks, agoraphobia and others. Despite its benefits, caution must be taken when using clonazepam.
Where to Buy Klonopin safely?
Klonopin (Clonazepam) is for occasional or short-term use (up to 3-4 weeks) for anxiety, and to treat seizures. Less severe withdrawal symptoms compared to similar drugs. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is an inexpensive drug used to treat certain types of seizures. It is also used to treat panic disorder. This drug is slightly more popular than comparable drugs. It is available in brand and generic form. Generic clonazepam is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. The lowest price for the most common version of clonazepam is around $8.
Klonopin Benefits
Effective at relieving short-term anxiety and sleeplessness.
Can be used together with antidepressants to manage anxiety disorders. Especially helpful for anxiety symptoms while you wait for an antidepressant to kick in.
Can be used alone or with other medicines to treat seizures.
Less severe withdrawal symptoms compared to other benzodiazepines.
Dosage
Generic name: Clonazepam 0.5mg
Dosage form: tablets. The tablets should be administered with water by swallowing the tablet whole.
There is no body of evidence available to answer the question of how long the patient treated with clonazepam should remain on it. Therefore, the physician who elects to use Klonopin for extended periods should periodically reevaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.
Seizure Disorders
The initial dose for adults with seizure disorders should not exceed 1.5 mg/day divided into three doses. Dosage may be increased in increments of 0.5 to 1 mg every 3 days until seizures are adequately controlled or until side effects preclude any further increase. Maintenance dosage must be individualized for each patient depending upon response. Maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg.
Panic Disorder
The initial dose for adults with panic disorder is 0.25 mg bid. An increase to the target dose for most patients of 1 mg/day may be made after 3 days. The recommended dose of 1 mg/day is based on the results from a fixed dose study in which the optimal effect was seen at 1 mg/day. Higher doses of 2, 3 and 4 mg/day in that study were less effective than the 1 mg/day dose and were associated with more adverse effects. Nevertheless, it is possible that some individual patients may benefit from doses of up to a maximum dose of 4 mg/day, and in those instances, the dose may be increased in increments of 0.125 to 0.25 mg bid every 3 days until panic disorder is controlled or until side effects make further increases undesired. To reduce the inconvenience of somnolence, administration of one dose at bedtime may be desirable.
How to Mix Klonopin and Xanax?
Klonopin (Clonazepam) is a fast-acting benzodiazepine. It affects neurotransmitters in the brain and calms the nervous system. This reduces anxiety and muscle spasms, and causes sleepiness. Since Klonopin and Xanax cause the same type of effects, people use the two drugs in combination with one another to enhance the effects of each drug. Klonopin lasts longer than Xanax; however, Xanax has a shorter half-life and affects people more quickly than Klonopin does. People who abuse benzodiazepine tranquilizers desire the relaxed feeling they cause. Additionally, people who use Klonopin and Xanax together want to relieve tension.
How should I take Klonopin?
- Take Klonopin exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. If you take Klonopin for seizures, your healthcare provider may change the dose until you are taking the right amount of medicine to control your symptoms.
- Klonopin is available as a tablet.
- Do not stop taking Klonopin without first talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping Klonopin suddenly can cause serious problems.
- Klonopin tablets should be taken with water and swallowed whole.
- If you take too much Klonopin, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center right away.
What should I avoid while taking Klonopin?
- Klonopin can slow your thinking and motor skills. Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Klonopin affects you.
- Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Klonopin until you talk to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or medicines that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Klonopin may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.
The precise mechanism by which clonazepam exerts its antiseizure and antipanic effects is unknown, although it is believed to be related to its ability to enhance the activity of gamma aminobutyric acid, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.