CLONAZEPAMTRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 3)If you have anxiety or panic disorder, or you suffer from seizures, you may beprescribed Clonazepam. You may also be familiar with its brand name, Klonopin.Clonazepam is a high alert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly asprescribed, it may cause illness or injury.To understand how Clonazepam works, let’s look at how anxiety and panic disorderaffect your body.Your brain is constantly firing information and messages to the rest of your body,telling you what to think, what to feel and what to do. When you are faced with asituation that makes you anxious or causes you to panic, your brain puts you in a stateof alert and gets you ready to face the situation.When it passes, the nerve signals in your brain slow down and your body calms. Butwhen you suffer from anxiety or panic disorders, your brain can’t turn off that state ofalert.Clonazepam enhances a chemical in the brain called GABA, which helps calm youdown. And, it slows pain signals going down the spine to help reduce muscle spasms.Clonazepam comes in a tablet or wafer which dissolves on your tongue. Yourhealthcare provider will decide how much you need to take but dosages range from0.5 milligrams to 2 milligrams.Clonazepam is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not takeClonazepam if you are allergic to other anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or Valium.If you are allergic to Phenylalanine, do not use the orally dissolving wafers.Do not take Clonazepam if you have severe liver disease or glaucoma.20% gradient meshIf you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, tell your healthcare provider beforetaking Clonazepam. Do not breastfeed while taking it.healthclipsBefore taking Clonazepam, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of: liverhealthclipsor kidney problems, asthma or other breathing problems, glaucoma, or depression orsuicidal thoughts.healthclips(Continued on next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10024_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshCLONAZEPAMTRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 3)Clonazepam can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of: street drugs,prescription medications, or alcohol, tell your healthcare provider. There may be adifferent medication available for you.Before taking Clonazepam, give your healthcare provider a complete list of all othermedications you use, including vitamins and herbal supplements.Some side effects of Clonazepam include: dizziness, feeling tired, feeling lightheaded,clumsiness, confusion, or coughing.If you do notice any of these side effects contact your healthcare provider about howto manage them.Eating grapefruit, or drinking grapefruit juice, while taking Clonazepam can increaseyour side effects. If you do eat grapefruit, eat or drink about the same amount everyday to avoid an increase in side effects.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Clonazepam. Get upfrom a sitting or lying position slowly.Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, including your car, until you know howClonazepam affects you.Do not drink alcohol while taking Clonazepam. Clonazepam can increase the effects ofalcohol.If you have an allergic reaction like: trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of your faceor throat, call 911.If you have: hallucinations or unusual behaviors, suicidal thoughts, trouble breathing,fast or pounding heartbeats, or your seizures get worse, call 911 and get help20%rightgradient meshaway.This is not a complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sidehealthclipseffects with your healthcare provider.healthclipsTake Clonazepam exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or take it for longerthan prescribed.healthclipshealthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10024_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshCLONAZEPAMTRANSCRIPT (page 3 of 3)When taking a Clonazepam tablet, always swallow the tablet whole with plenty ofwater.If you are taking the Clonazepam wafer, make sure your hands are dry and peel backthe cover of the package. Place the wafer on your tongue and let it dissolve. Do notswallow the wafer whole or chew it.Clonazepam may be taken on a regular schedule or as needed. If you do take itregularly and skip a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for yournext dose, skip your missed dose and return to your normal medication schedule.Do not double dose. If you think you have taken too much Clonazepam, call 911. Anoverdose of Clonazepam can lead to death.Store Clonazepam away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicinecabinet is not the best place because of moisture.Clonazepam wafers should always be kept in their package until use.Do not leave your medication where it can get too hot or too cold. Always store yourmedication out of sight and out of reach of children to prevent accidents.Because Clonazepam can cause dependency, it can be a very desirable drug to addicts.Lock this medication up to prevent stealing and abuse.When you are done taking Clonazepam tablets, crush all of your remaining pills andmix them with undesirable trash like kitty litter or coffee grounds.Do not sell or give your Clonazepam to anyone else. It is against the law and canseriously harm anyone else taking it. Contact your local police station for moreinformation on proper disposal directions.20% gradient meshClonazepam can help you manage anxiety, panic or seizures. But it is a powerfulmedication that should only be taken exactly as prescribed. If you have any questionshealthclipsabout Clonazepam, ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.healthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10024_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
