Clonazepam

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
Revision as of 22:40, July 17, 2018 by Kmdenmark (talk | contribs) (added category)

Clonazepam, sold under the brand name Klonopin among others, is a tranquiliser of the Benzodiazepine class. It binds to GABAA receptors and increases the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA.[1]

It is used to treat seizures,[2][3] anxiety[4] and panic disorders,[2] movement problems such as akathisia,[5] bruxism[6] or restless legs syndrome,[7] muscle problems[3] and some sleep disorders.[8][9] Several ME/CFS specialists employ clonazepam in their treatment protocols for a variety of uses.[10]

It is usually taken orally and begins having an effect within an hour, lasting between six and twelve hours.[11] It can cause dependence and tolerance in long-term use, and withdrawal symptoms are common.[12] Dependence occurs in one-third of people who take clonazepam for longer than four weeks.[1]

Clinical use

Costs and availability

Clonazepam is available in most countries with a prescription. It is available as a generic medication and is generally very inexpensive.

Learn more

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Riss, J.; Cloyd, J.; Gates, J.; Collins, S. (August 2008), "Benzodiazepines in epilepsy: pharmacology and pharmacokinetics." (PDF), Acta Neurol Scand, 118 (2): 69–86, doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01004.x, PMID 18384456
  2. 2.0 2.1 MedlinePlus – Clonazepam
  3. 3.0 3.1 British National Formulary – Clonazepam
  4. Healthline – Clonazepam
  5. Drugs.com – Clonazepam
  6. Huynh, NT.; Rompré, PH.; Montplaisir, JY.; Manzini, C.; Okura, K.; Lavigne, GJ. (2006), "Comparison of various treatments for sleep bruxism using determinants of number needed to treat and effect size.", Int J Prosthodont, 19 (5): 435–41, PMID 17323720
  7. Trenkwalder, C.; Hening, WA.; Montagna, P.; Oertel, WH.; Allen, RP.; Walters, AS.; Costa, J.; Stiasny-Kolster, K.; Sampaio, C. (December 2008), "Treatment of restless legs syndrome: an evidence-based review and implications for clinical practice" (PDF), Mov Disord, 23 (16): 2267–302, doi:10.1002/mds.22254, PMID 18925578
  8. Ferini-Strambi, L.; Zucconi, M. (September 2000), "REM sleep behavior disorder", Clin Neurophysiol, 111 Suppl 2: S136–40, doi:10.1016/S1388-2457(00)00414-4, PMID 10996567
  9. Schenck, CH.; Arnulf, I.; Mahowald, MW. (June 2007), "Sleep and Sex: What Can Go Wrong? A Review of the Literature on Sleep Related Disorders and Abnormal Sexual Behaviors and Experiences", Sleep, 30 (6): 683–702, PMID 17580590
  10. Haavisto, Maija (2011), Reviving the Broken Marionette, Lulu.com, pp. 28–29, ISBN 978-1409203353
  11. Cooper, Grant (2007), Therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin, Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press, p. 214, ISBN 9781597452472
  12. Clonazepam, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, retrieved December 13, 2016