Clonazepam (Antianxiety & Antiseizure Agent)

Question 1

What is the brand name of clonazepam?

Answer 1

Klonopin

Question 2

What are the available strengths of Klonopin tablets?

Answer 2

0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg

Question 3

What are the available strengths for ODT clonazepam tablets?

Answer 3

0.125 mg, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg

Question 4

What does the clonazepam is given for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, as defined in DSM-IV?

Answer 4

Start with 0.25 mg twice a day. May increase after three days of a target test of 0.5 mg twice a day. The maximum dose for this indications for milligrams per day

Question 5

What is the indicated dosage of clonazepam used for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures, and in patients with absent seizures (petite mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides?

Answer 5

Adults: 0.5 mg given three times a day initially. Dosage may be increased in increments of 0.5 to 1 mg every third day until seizures are controlled or side effects preclude further increase. Maximum recommended daily dose is 20 mg

Infants & Children: 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg/day in two or three divided doses. Increase by no more than 0.25 to 0.5 mg every third day until the daily maintenance dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg has been reached.

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action for clonazepam?

Answer 6

For seizures, clonazepam suppresses the spike and wave discharge and absence seizures and decreases the frequency, amplitude, duration, and spread discharge of minor motor seizures.

Question 7

What are the drug interactions for Klonopin?

Answer 7

CNS depression is increased with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Question 8

What are the contraindications for clonazepam?

Answer 8

• Contraindicated in patients hyper sensitive to benzodiazepines, with evidence of significant liver disease, and children under the age of six months, and narrow angle glaucoma and an untreated open angle glaucoma.
• Concomitant use with opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression, coma, and death.
• May increase the incidence of grandma seizures, requiring an appropriate anti-convulsant.
• Antiepileptic drugs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED for any indication should be monitored for the emergence or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and or any unusual changes in mood or behavior.
• Abrupt discontinuation may precipitate status epilepticus or benzodiazepine withdrawal.
• Increase of salvation; therefore use caution with chronic respiratory diseases.
• Pregnancy category C

Question 9

What are the adverse effects for clonazepam?

Answer 9

Drowsiness, ataxia, fatigue

Question 10

What should the RPh tell their patient while counseling them for Klonopin?

Answer 10

• May cause drowsiness. Use caution while operating machinery or when mental alertness is required.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
• Warning: this medication may be habit-forming.
• Do not stop medication abruptly.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If it is closer to the time of your next dose than the missed dose, skip the missed dose and returned your dosing schedule. Do not double doses.