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Clonazepam
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Clonazepam
(kloh-NAY-zeh-pam) Alti-Clonazepam Apo-Clonazepam Clonapam Dom-Clonazepam Gen-Clonazepam Klonopin Nu-Clonazepam PMS-Clonazepam Rivotril (C-IV) (Rx)

Classification: Anticonvulsant, miscellaneous

See Also: See also Anticonvulsants.

Action/Kinetics: Benzodiazepine derivative which increases presynaptic inhibition and suppresses the spread of seizure activity. Peak plasma levels: 1-2 hr. t1/2: 18-60 hr. Therapeutic serum levels: 20-80 ng/mL. More than 80% bound to plasma protein; metabolized almost completely in the liver to inactive metabolites, which are excreted in the urine.
Even though a benzodiazepine, clonazepam, is used only as an anticonvulsant. However, contraindications, side effects, and so forth are similar to those for diazepam.

Uses: Absence seizures (petit mal) including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic and myoclonic seizures. Some effectiveness in clients resistant to succinimide therapy. Investigational: Parkinsonian dysarthria, acute manic episodes of bipolar affective disorder, leg movements (periodic) during sleep, adjunct in treating schizophrenia, neuralgias, multifocal tic disorders.

Contraindications: Sensitivity to benzodiazepines. Severe liver disease, acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Pregnancy.

Special Concerns: Effects on lactation not known.

Additional Side Effects: In clients in whom different types of seizure disorders exist, clonazepam may elicit or precipitate grand mal seizures.

Drug Interactions: CNS depressants / Potentiation of CNS depressant effect of clonazepam Phenobarbital / Effect of clonazepam due to breakdown by liver Phenytoin / Effect of clonazepam due to breakdown by liver Valproic acid / Chance of absence seizures

How Supplied: Tablet: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg

Dosage
•Tablets Seizure disorders.
Adults, initial: 0.5 mg t.i.d. Increase by 0.5-1 mg/day q 3 days until seizures are under control or side effects become excessive; maximum: 20 mg/day. Pediatric up to 10 years or 30 kg: 0.01-0.03 mg/kg/day in two to three divided doses up to a maximum of 0.05 mg/kg/day. Increase by increments of 0.25-0.5 mg q 3 days until seizures are under control or maintenance of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg is attained.
Parkinsonian dysarthria.
Adults: 0.25-0.5 mg/day.
Acute manic episodes of bipolar affective disorder.
Adults: 0.75-16 mg/day.
Periodic leg movements during sleep.
Adults: 0.5-2 mg nightly.
Adjunct to treat schizophrenia.
Adults: 0.5-2 mg/day.
Neuralgias.
Adults: 2-4 mg/day.
Multifocal tic disorders.
Adults: 1.5-12 mg/day.