Tranquilisers help sedate and calm your mind. By allaying your restlessness, such drugs reduce anxieties. Among these drugs, a genre called benzodiazepines is widely used for treating several nervous system-related and cerebral conditions. Doctors use this category of drugs for treating anxiety-related disorders, spells of panic attacks, sleeplessness or insomnia. In some cases, benzodiazepines are used for treating alcohol dependencies as well as episodes of agitation. In this milieu, clonazepam is a long-action tranquilising drug belonging to the benzodiazepine class of meds. But, can you use clonazepam for sleep? It helps to have needful details.
Benzodiazepines are known to possess anticonvulsant as well as sedative / hypnotic properties. These meds are orally administered; but they are also available as intramuscular, rectal and intravenous offerings. Among the many kinds of tranquilisers, benzodiazepines are well-tolerated and are considered safe for treating a wide spectrum of aforesaid disorders. People who used these meds for long experienced symptoms of addiction and may develop addiction.
Intake of benzodiazepines during earlier terms of pregnancy may lead to cleft-palate among newly born infants; however, this finding is being actively debated with no clear conclusion on a likely connect. Mothers who take this genre of meds prior to their delivery may witness lethargy among their babies. In some cases, infants have developed feeding problems and breathing difficulties.
In this light, what is clonazepam?
This drug is used for treating bipolar conditions, convulsions, fits as well as anxieties. This med is also known to be effective to manage fear psychosis, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), etc. Key chemicals of clonazepam can produce hypnotic, sedative and muscle relaxation effects.
This med is sold as a pill, taken orally. Those who are living with hepatic problems like inflammation of liver or cirrhosis are advised not to take this med. This is not an over the counter (OTC) medication; its use needs to as per the instructions of a qualified medical practitioner.
If you have had prior mental disorders such as aggressive moods, suicidal thoughts, etc., your caregiver must be aware of all such problems. As clonazepam can interact with meds such as herbal supplements or dietary aids, your doctor must know of the meds you are taking presently.
Clonazepam dosage for sleep
The medication plan of clonazepam for sleep is started with 0.5 milligram (mg) before bedtime. This dose is offered on a daily basis. Once your body accepts this initial dose, changes are made to the dosage levels, incrementing by 0.5 mg every five days. Clonazepam maximum dosage for sleep is pegged at 4 mg per day.
Caregivers start dosages at a bare minimal level. This is mainly to assess if your body reacts in an adverse manner to such low-strength dosages. The right time is prior to your bedtime; this is because of likely side effects like dizziness as well as drowsiness.
Users tend to remain unsteady or dizzy after taking this drug. Hence, it is advised not to pursue activities like driving or working on heavy machines immediately after a dose of clonazepam. Those who use this med for more than a week’s time and are still facing difficulties sleeping, it is a key thing to talk to a qualified caregiver.
Other pointers you need to know about clonazepam
You need to know that clonazepam is not considered a first-line of treatment for insomnia or disturbed sleeping patterns. Intake of clonazepam is addictive and is hence habit-forming. As misuse of this drug is quite likely, talk to your doctor if your medication plan extends beyond 10 days’ time.
In order to have a better understanding on using clonazepam for sleep, you are advised to talk to your treating doctor and / or pharmacist. As this benzodiazepine is not an OTC med, it must be taken only as per the instructions of a qualified caregiver.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Michigan. Experience: Over 8 years of experience writing for health and wellness websites, including WebMD and Healthline, specializing in women’s health and nutrition.
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