Klonopin
® (
clonazepam) is a prescription medicine that has been shown to be effective for treating
panic disorder and certain types of epileptic
seizures. But how does it work?
Klonopin belongs to a class of medications known as benzodiazepines. These drugs work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Klonopin and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Benzodiazepines have various effects on the body, including relaxing muscles, stopping
seizures, reducing
anxiety, causing sleepiness, and impairing short-term memory. All benzodiazepines can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific benzodiazepine that is being taken.
(Click Klonopin for more information on how the drug works, to learn about Klonopin's specific effects, and to find out what you should discuss with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.)
