Clonazepam

Clobazam

Both classified under Benzodiazepines

 

Indication:

 Clonazepam: All forms of epilepsy, myoclonic seizures and status epilepticus

Clonazam: As an adjunct in refractory partial and generalized seizures.
   
Dosage: For Clobazam

Adults: At first, 5-15 mg a day.Uually is not more than 80 mg a day.

Children (2-16): At first, 5 mg a day. Dose is usually not more than 40 mg a day.

For Clonazepam

Adults (>10): At first, 0.5 mg three times a day. Dose usually is not more than 20 mg a day.

Infants and children younger than 10: Dose is based on body weight.
   
Special Attention: It is possible that using clonazepam for long periods of time may cause unwanted effects on physical and mental growth in children. If such effects do occur, they may not be noticed until many years later. Before this medicine is given to children for long periods of time, you should discuss its use with your child's doctor.

falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines.

Check with your doctor if:

Concurrently taking Fluvoxamine (e.g., Luvox), Itraconazole (e.g. Sporanox), Ketoconazole (e.g.Nizoral), Nefazodone (e.g.Serzone)

Have drug abuse or dependence (or history of), brain disease, difficulty in swallowing (in children), emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease, glaucoma, hyperactivity, mental depression, mental illness (severe), sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep), myasthenia gravis, or porphyria. [Benzodiazepines may make these conditions worse]
   
Special Precaution: Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses. Some signs of dependence on benzodiazepines are:
  • A strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
  • A need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
  • Withdrawal effects (for example, irritability, nervousness, trouble in sleeping, abdominal or stomach cramps, trembling or shaking) occurring after the medicine is stopped
Taking an overdose of a benzodiazepine or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with the benzodiazepine may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Some signs of an overdose are continuing slurred speech or confusion, severe drowsiness, severe weakness, and staggering.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts (confusion, agitation, and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), or behavior (like when drunk) while you are taking this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.
   
Common Side Effects: Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness; slurred speech
   
Rare Side Effects: Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain; blurred vision or other changes in vision; changes in sexual desire or ability; constipation; diarrhea; dryness of mouth or increased thirst; false sense of well-being; headache; increased bronchial secretions or watering of mouth; muscle spasm; nausea or vomiting; problems with urination; trembling or shaking; unusual tiredness or weakness
   
SEE a doctor if : Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly); fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; lack of memory of events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with triazolam); mental depression
   
Comments: Starting or suddenly stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures.

Tolerance (use of higher dose to achieve same efficacy) often develops with benzodiazepines.

 

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SOURCE

Information here is specific for Benzodiazepines

and is meant to be an add-on for Special concern in AED taking