Clonazepam is a medication which falls into a group of benzodiazepines. It may be used as a muscle relaxant, but its primary usage is in the treatment of seizures and panic disorders for its sedating properties which makes it a hypnotic. Clonazepam is generic and it is very safe for use since it has been tested and approved by FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Also, the side effects of it are very few and this is why doctors almost always prescribe this medication to their patients.
Clonazepam acts in your body by affecting certain chemicals in your body. Actually, when you have a panic disorder or seizures, what happens in your body is that those chemicals become unbalanced for some reason. However, clonazepam helps them restore their balance and it that way it eliminates seizures or panic, your brain goes back to normal functioning and you feel relieved.
As for the forms and dosages of clonazepam, since it is generic, its brand name is Klonopin, and it comes in two different forms – a form of pills and a form of tablets which are disintegrated orally. The pills are available in three dosages and these are a 0.5ng dose, a 1mg dose and a 2mg dose. They are taken orally with a glass of water and may be taken with or without food since it does not affect them. As for the other form, the orally disintegrated tablets, these come in five different doses – a 0.125mg dose, a 0.25mg dose, a 0.5mg dose, a 1mg and a 2mg dose. As you may suppose, these should not be swallowed, but held in mouth until they disintegrate.
However, you should never determine the dosage or start the treatment on your own. You should first consult your doctor and they will prescribe the dosage that is right for you, based on many different factors such as your overall health and the state and severity of your condition. In case you take the dosages on your own, you may experience some unpleasant situations such as the occurrence of side effects.
Now, speaking of side effects, clonazepam does have some, but these are not too severe and will not bring any permanent harm to your health. Some of the most common symptoms are dizziness, constipation, cough, dry mouth, headache, tiredness, stuffy nose, nausea and some allergic reactions which may include heavy breathing, itching, rash or swelling of face, lips or tongue. In case you experience any of these, you should not panic, take a lot of water and remain calm. You should also inform your doctor about it and they will give you further instructions.
To sum up, clonazepam is an effective and safe drug and it is often prescribed. It comes in different forms and dosages and your doctor will decide which of them is best for you. Of course, there are some side effects of clonazepam, but if you follow your prescription it is highly unlikely that they will occur and you will only feel the benefits of it.