Drug Study

CLONAZEPAM
This drug is used for the treatment of seizures.

Ingredient: Clonazepam
CLONAZEPAM is also known as RIVOTRIL.
Rivotril 0.5 mg
Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that
slow down the nervous system). Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines
should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life. Some benzodiazepines are
used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they
usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.
Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long
time or in high doses.
Special precautions
Allergies — tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy — too much use of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the
medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy,
especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding,
drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding — Benzodiazepines may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and
weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children — Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very
young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Older adults — Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually
more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Other medical problems — the presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make
sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)—Dependence on benzodiazepines may be more likely to develop
Brain disease—CNS depression and other side effects of benzodiazepines may be more likely to occur
Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
Hyperactivity
Mental depression
Mental illness
Myasthenia gravis
Porphyria
Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)—Benzodiazepines may make these conditions worse
Epilepsy or history of seizures—Although some benzodiazepines are used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly
stopping treatment with these medicines may increase seizures
Glaucoma, acute narrow angle—Benzodiazepines should NOT be used if you have this condition.
Glaucoma, open angle—Benzodiazepines can be used but your doctor should be monitoring your condition
carefully.
Kidney or liver disease—Higher blood levels of benzodiazepines may result, increasing the chance that side effects
will occur
Side Effects of This Medicine
Less common
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
Rare
Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or
loss of sense of reality ; agitation; behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased
inhibition, or outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not
there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle weakness; skin rash or itching ; sore throat, fever, and chills;
trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements of body, including the
eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising ; unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ; unusual tiredness or weakness
(severe); yellow eyes or skin.
Symptoms of overdose
Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow heartbeat; slow
reflexes; slurred speech (continuing) ; staggering; troubled breathing ; weakness (severe)
Keep all appointment with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medicines.
Generic name:
chlorpromazine
Brand name:
Thorazine
Preparations:
PO 10-25mg 2=4 times daily; may increase every 3-4 days (usual dose is 200ng/day; up to 1g/day)
CLASSIFI-CATION: Antipsychotics
ACTION:
• Block dopamine receptors in the brain; also alter dopamine release and turnover.
• Prevention of seizures
INDICATION / USES:
•Acute and chronic psychoses, particularly when accompanied by increased psychomotor activity. Nausea and
vomiting.
• Also used in the treatment of intractable hiccups.
COMMON ADVERSE EFFECTS:

•CNS: neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sedation, extrapyramidal reactions, tardive dyskinesia
•CV: hypotension (increased with IM, IV)
•EENT: blurred vision, dry eyes, lens opacities
• GI: constipation, dry mouth, anorexia, hepatitis, ileus
• GU: urinary retention
• Hematologic: agranulocytosis, leukopenia
• Skin: photosensitivity, pigment changes, rashes
CONTRA-INDICATIONS:
• Hypersensitivity.
•Cross-sensitivity may exist among phenothiazines. Should not be used in narrow-angle glaucoma.
•Should not be used in patients who have CNS depression.
NURSING CONSIDERATIONS:
• Assess mental status prior to and periodically during therapy.
• Monitor BP and pulse prior to and frequently during the period of dosage adjustment. May cause QT interval
changes on ECG.
• Observe patient carefully when administering medication, to ensure that medication is actually taken and not
hoarded.
•Monitor I&O ratios and daily eight. Assess patient for signs and symptoms of dehydration.
• Monitor for development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, respiratory distress, tachycardia, seizures,
diaphoresis, hypertension or hypotension, pallor, tiredness, severe muscle stiffness, loss of bladder control. Report
symptoms immediately. May also cause leukocytosis, elevated liver function tests, elevated CPK.
• Advise patient to take medication as directed. Take missed doses as soon as remembered, witih remaining doses
evenly spaced through out the day. May require several weeks to obtain desired effects. Do not increase dose or
discontinue medication without consulting health care professional. Abrupt withdrawal may cause dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, GI upset, trembling, or uncontrolled movements of mouth, tongue or jaw.

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CLONAZEPAM

This drug is used for the treatment of seizures.

Keep all appointment with your doctor.

COMMON ADVERSE EFFECTS:

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