NEXCLO-0.5/1/2 (Clonazepam 0.5/1/2 mg Tablets)

DESCRIPTION

Clonazepam is a versatile, highly potent antiepileptic drug with a unique safety profile. It has a broad spectrum of activity against various types of epilepsy and is effective in many patients whose condition has proved resistant to other antiepileptic drugs. It reduces excitability of neurons to decrease the amplitude of electrical activity from normal and secondary epileptogenic limbic tissues.

DOSAGE

For adults, initially 0.5 mg per day increased by 0.5 mg per day and to a maximum of 12mg daily. The maintenance dose should be 2-6 mg daily. For minors, 0.01-0.03 mg per kg body weight daily in divided doses increased to a maximum of 0.2 mg per kg body weight daily.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Clonazepam interacts specifically with a receptor molecule called benzodiazepine receptor to modulate the efficiency of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. It is extremely effective in the control of absence seizures including those with a myoclonic component. Clonazepam generally controls the seizures in up to 70% patients. Clonazepam has anxiolytic, anti-panic and anti-manic properties.

INDICATIONS

In treatment of typical and atypical absence infantile spasms, myoclonic epilepsy, atonic seizures, minor motor seizures of childhood, refractory grandmal epilepsy or temporal lobe epilepsy. Clonazepam has also been proved for the treatment of Bipolar Effective Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Schizophrenia and panic attacks.

CONTRA INDICATIONS

Hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, respiratory depression, acute pulmonary insufficiency.

PRECAUTIONS

Alcohol should be avoided during the treatment.

SIDE EFFECTS

Drowsiness somnolence, fatigue, lethargy, muscular in-coordination, ataxia, hypotonia, dizziness, depressive mood, etc.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Adverse effects of drugs like hydantoins and phenobarbitone may be exacerbated by Clonazepam. It may be added to other anti-convulsant drugs in treatment of resistant patients. Valproate and Clonazepam co-medication has proved very effective in patients with complex partial seizures.

AVAILABILITY

NEXCLO is available in strips  of  ten uncoated tablets containing Clonazepam USP 0.5/1/2 mg.