Klonopin Medication to Treat Anxiety
Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines for most of the anxiety disorders. Each medicine in this group follows a different course of action. The specific drug chosen by health professionals to treat a particular kind of anxiety depends on the ailment and medication history of the sufferer and the seriousness of the disease. Klonopin (generic name: clonazepam) is a medication that doctors prescribe for generalized anxiety disorder and social phobia.
How it Works
Klonopin is a prescription medicine and acts on the brain of the patient. The human brain consists of a chemical named gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), and the nerve cells make use of this chemical to communicate with each other (neurotransmitter). GABA inhibits the brain’s activity. Benzodiazepines like Klonopin act on GABA, and try to slow down the signals that the brain sends out. This results in relaxation of the nerves, and thus calming down the brain.
Dosage
The dosage of the Klonopin drug is arrived at, based on the patient’s requirements. When used to treat seizures in adults, the dosage starts at 1.5 mg every day, and is administered two or three times. The dosage may be increased till the seizures are under control. Dosage may be increased by 0.5 to 1 mg once in three days. 20 mg a day is the maximum dosage that can be given. When used to treat panic disorders, the initial dose is 0.25 mg, a couple of times daily.
Side Effects
Like all other benzodiazepines, Klonopin may interact with other medications that slow the brain’s processes. It affects the effects caused by alcohol and narcotics and it also leads to increased sedation. Klonopin and other benzodiazepines may affect the fetal health, and so, pregnant women are not advised to take them, especially during the first trimester. It is deemed better to not use the medication during the entire pregnancy. Though very clear evidence is not yet available, Klonopin may get secreted through breast milk. Hence, if possible, it is better that breastfeeding mothers do not use this medicine.
Minor side effects may be caused by Klonopin. The side effects that occur frequently are sedation, dizziness, weakness, and instability. Sedation is experienced by at least half the patients and at least one-third of them experience dizziness. Klonopin may also bring about depression, lack of coordination, headache, and sleep disorders.
Another side effect that Klonopin can cause is physical dependence. Stopping the use of Klonopin suddenly after regular use might trigger problems. This could cause troubles such as a feeling that self-worth is lost, irritability, and sleeplessness. If Klonopin treatment is stopped after using it continuously for a few months, it may lead to sudden seizures, shivers, cramps in the muscles, vomiting, and profuse sweating (Most of these are similar to symptoms of a panic disorder). So it is advised not to stop the dosage all of a sudden. Rather, you would need to reduce the dosage little by little, so as to not trigger side effects.
There are several natural alternatives available for Klonopin. Researchers have suggested several herbs that help to treat anxiety in the same way as Klonopin. But you should consult with your medical practitioner before using any of them. Chamomile, Kava, Valerian and Passion flower are some herbs that are alternatives to Klonopin.
