Clonazepam-side effects and Dosing Information

Clonazepam-Brand Name: Rivotril.Disopen,Epiclone,Epita,Leptic,Clontril etc.(BD)

Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to clonazepam: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect while taking clonazepam such as:

• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
  
• unusual risk-taking behavior, no fear of danger;
  
• weak or shallow breathing;
  
• unusual or involuntary eye movements;
  
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
  
• painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual;
  
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding; or
  
• new or worsening seizures.
  

Less serious clonazepam side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, problems with thinking or memory;
  
• tired feeling, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination;
  
• slurred speech, drooling or dry mouth, sore gums;
  
• runny or stuffy nose;
  
• loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
  
• blurred vision;
  
• headache;
  
• sleep problems (insomnia);
  
• skin rash; or
  
• weight changes.
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 Dosing Information

Usual Clonazepam Adult Dose for Seizure Prophylaxis:
Initial dose: 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 dose: Individualized for each patient depending upon response.

Maximum Daily Dose: 20 mg.
Usual Adult Clonazepam Dose for Bipolar Disorder:
Initial dose: 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 dose: Individualized for each patient depending upon response.

Maximum Daily Dose: 20 mg.
Usual Adult Clonazepam Dose for Panic Disorder:
Initial dose: 0.25 mg bid.

Maintenance dose: An increase to the target dose for most patients of 1 mg/day may be made after 3 days.

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.

Maximum Dose: 4 mg/day

Treatment should be discontinued gradually, with a decrease of 0.125 mg bid every 3 days, until the drug is completely withdrawn.
Usual Pediatric Clonazepam Dose for Seizure Prophylaxis:
<= 10 years or < 30 kg of body weight:
Initial Dose: Orally:
In order to minimize drowsiness, the initial dose should be between 0.01 and 0.03 mg/kg/day but not to exceed 0.05 mg/kg/day given in two or three divided doses.

Dosage should be increased by no more than 0.25 to 0.5 mg every third day until a daily maintenance dose of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg of body weight has been reached, unless seizures are controlled or side effects preclude further increase. Whenever possible, the daily dose should be divided into three equal doses. If doses are not equally divided, the largest dose should be given before retiring.

>10 years and >30 kg of body weight:
The initial dose 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.

The maintenance dosage should be individualized for each patient depending upon response.

Maximum Daily Dose: 20 mg.