Overview
Klonopin is the brand name for Clonazepam, an anticonvulsant, anti-anxiety, and anti-panic agent. Klonopin is a member of the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, and this drug causes sedation. Klonopin is often used with other drugs when used to treat seizures.

Klonopin's effects can sometimes be felt right away, but its full benefits are typically reached in 3 to 4 weeks.

Why is this drug prescribed?
In children, Klonopin is most often used to treat seizure disorder.

Klonopin is used to treat:

1. seizure disorders (petit mal, atypical, akinetic, myoclonic, or absence)
2. mild to moderate anxiety (short-term therapy only)
3. Tourette's Syndrome
4. panic disorder
5. drug-induced mania
6. resistant depression
7. nocturnal myoclonus
8. relieve trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain)
9. bipolar disorder
   

Warnings and Precautions
Klonopin is very habit forming (addictive) and may become so in only 2-4 weeks of use, causing psychological and physical dependence. It is possible to build up a tolerance for this drug and a dosage increase may be required.

Klonopin should not be discontinued abruptly, or it could cause withdrawal symptoms including abdominal and muscle cramps, behavior disorders, convulsions, depressed feeling, hallucinations, restlessness, sleeping difficulties, and tremors.

Klonopin's effects on children, including possible long-term effects, have not been thoroughly studied. When Klonopin is given to children, dosage should be determined by weight. Side effects of Klonopin and other benzodiazepines are more likely to occur in children than in adults.

For Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Klonopin may cause birth defects, especially during the first trimester. After that, the fetus may still be affected, and may experience withdrawal symptoms as a newborn. Klonopin passes into breast milk, and may cause sedation and other problems in the infant. Klonopin should not be taken by pregnant or nursing mothers, however in some cases of severe seizure disorder, the risk that seizures pose to both mother and child may be considerable.

Contraindications
Klonopin should Not be used for people with the following medical conditions:

1. allergy to other benzodiazepines or related drugs (such as Librium and Valium)
2. liver disease (severe)
3. acute narrow-angle glaucoma
4. acute intermittent porphyria

Precautions
Klonopin may be used with caution in people with the following conditions:

1. liver disease — lower dosage may be needed
2. kidney disease — drug levels in the body should be carefully monitored
3. difficulty swallowing (in children)
4. a history of alcoholism or drug dependence
5. a history of stroke
6. multiple sclerosis
7. asthma
8. chronic bronchitis
9. Alzheimer's disease
10. Emphysema
11. serious depression
12. myasthenia gravis
13. any type of brain disorder

Adverse Reactions
Klonopin's side effects may be different depending on the disorder it is being used to treat. Klonopin may cause the following reactions:

1. drowsiness
2. ataxia (shaky movements and unsteady gait)
3. behavioral disturbances
4. increased salivation
5. insomnia
6. irritability
7. anxiety
8. problems with coordination
9. allergic reaction
10. depression
11. dizziness
12. fatigue
13. inflamed sinuses or nasal passages
14. memory problems
15. menstrual problems
16. nervousness
17. reduced thinking ability
18. respiratory infection
19. speech problems
20. tremor
21. confusion
22. abnormal eye movements
23. constipation
24. nausea
25. diarrhea
26. rash
27. thrombocytopenia (fewer platelets in the blood which can cause spontaneous bruising and excessive bleeding of an injury)
28. respiratory depression

Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs or substances that may interact with Klonopin include:

1. alcohol, sedatives, other benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills — these medications may cause severe sedation and may be fatal when taken with Klonopin.
2. MAO Inhibitors — can lower blood pressure and increase sedation and respiratory depression in combination with Klonopin
3. protease inhibitors such as Cordarone (amiodarone), Norvir (ritonavir) — can lead to drug toxicity
4. Tegretol (carbamazepine), tricyclic antidepressants, Dilantin (phenytoin), and Theo-Dur (theophylline) — can decrease the effectiveness of Klonopin
5. Tagamet (cimetidine), Antabuse (disulfiram), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), Prilosec (omeprazole), and oral contraceptives — can increase the effects of Klonopin

Sources

http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/klonopin.html

http://www.health—center.com/db/PageReq?SessionID=953&TopicID=338&PageID=1473&Action=view

http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/KLO1214.HTM

http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/

http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/drugShowLfts.asp?fname=use0715.htm&title=Klonopin&cid=HT#GXX05