Healthcare providers may prescribe Klonopin
® (
clonazepam) for the treatment of
epilepsy or
panic disorder. The medication is part of a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which work by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a chemical in the brain that is naturally calming. There are currently two different forms of the drug: tablets and wafers (orally disintegrating tablets).
The tablet form of Klonopin is available in three strengths, including:
- 0.5 mg tablets
- 1 mg tablets
- 2 mg tablets.
Klonopin is taken by mouth, usually two or three times a day (depending on the particular condition being treated). It can be taken either with food or on an empty stomach, although you should try taking it with food if the drug bothers your stomach. For Klonopin to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. The medication may cause serious problems if you take it in higher than recommended doses or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends
(see Klonopin Addiction).
(Click Klonopin for more information about the approved uses, specific effects, dosing guidelines, and potential side effects of this medication.)
