Clonazapam and Anxiety
October 6, 2008

One anxiety medication that seems to work well is Clonazapam. Side Effects information is available.

There are so many little helpful pills for those who have need during those anxious moments. Of course, there is no such thing as a "one size fits all" philosophy when it comes to medication.

Clonazapam and anxiety, though, seems to work well together.

Clonazapam is of the benzodiazepine family, which means it is basically a sedative. It acts on one of the neurotransmitter chemicals of the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, which was discovered in 1950). This chemical, which is produced by agitation (excitment), needs to be balanced by limitation. GABA is the chemical of the brain that allows the body to relax, to feel good, and to sleep. Clonazapam and anxiety work together because the drug works to stimulate the GABA neurotransmitters to produce the needed relaxation.

A lack of GABA will usually cause trouble, such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and sleep disorders. Clonazapam stimulates these neurotransmitters to produce the needed chemicals for relaxation. Although GABA can be purchased as a supplement, it still has difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier, so it can only work in a very limited way. Clonazapam and anxiety, though, do work across this barrier.

When using Clonazapam and anxiety, many prefer it to other similar drugs on the market. One reason is that it lasts a little longer, and this means that its effects are also lasting longer.

A Tolerance May Develop

Clonazapam and anxiety work because the medicine is able to change the balance of GABA and increase it to more desirable levels. This, however, seems to be able to work for a little season, and then a tolerance may develop. This means, of course, that the drug quantity must also be increased in order to have the same effect.

Changes in the Brain

As the brain becomes more accustomed to the drug, it also becomes more reliant on it. Changes in the brain actually begin to take place. The GABA receptors become reduced in number and this changes the effect of the drug. It is possible that the whole functioning of the GABA based system may decrease. This could take place in a mere four weeks time. A dependency then develops on the drug by the brain. This is one negative way that Clonazapam and anxiety work together.

Slow Withdrawal Is Necessary

While Clonazapam and anxiety work so closely together, it should also be easy to see why a rapid withdrawal is not a good idea. The brain has adjusted itself to work with the added GABA influencing chemicals. A sudden withdrawal of these could leave the brain in a state where GABA under activity is taking place. It has grown accustomed to being forced to operate at such a capacity - but without producing many chemicals itself. Suddenly, it is expected to regulate itself, and without help. This could throw the nervous system into a state of hyperexcitability. Withdrawal symptoms could manifest themselves in the form of convulsions, hallucinations, and sleeping problems. While only about 50% of people will show these symptoms, it is still advisable to consult your doctor about how to best slowly reduce your intake of Clonazapam.

Other Cautions

Clonazapam and anxiety does appear to be a rather good team. There are, however, a few side effects worth mentioning. The drug does impair the mental alertness of an individual and limits both your mental and motor functioning. This means extreme care should be taken if you need to get behind the wheel of any vehicle or be around any kind of machinery. These effects will be noticeable in the form of drowsiness, impaired motor coordination and balance, dizziness, nervousness, and even some amnesia at higher concentrations. Alcohol and other drugs will intensify the effects.

The Symptoms of Overdose

No one should ever take prescriptions drugs in an unprescribed quantity. But if that should ever happen, here are some symptoms that will be noticeable: there will be great difficulty in staying awake, obvious mental confusion, possibly a coma, and slower reflexes. Where these symptoms are visible, medical help should be obtained for the individual.

While Clonazapam and anxiety do work together, it should always be used under consultation with a medical doctor.

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