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Question: What are the side effects of Rivotril?
Answer:
Rivotril is a brand name for the drug clonazepam, which is classified as a benzodiazepine. It also goes by the brand name Klonopin. All medications in the benzodiazepine class can cause similar side effects. The manufacturer of Rivotril provides the following information about potential side effects:
Adverse effects to Rivotril occur in about 50% of patients, depending on dose and are usually due to its sedative and muscle relaxant effects.
These side effects are usually temporary, but they can continue in up to 10%
of patients . Adverse effects can be reduced by using a low initial dose and gradual increasing the dosage. The following side effects occur commonly: drowsiness (50%), ataxia (30%), behavior problems (25%), hypersalivation (10%), fatigue (8%), muscle weakness (5%), vertigo (5%), and lightheadedness,lassitude and dizziness. These effects are usually temporary and generally disappear during treatment. Sometimes the dose needs to be reduced in order to relieve the side effect.
Agitation (1.5%), excitability (0.7%), irritability (1.5%), aggressive behavior (1.4%), disturbances of concentration, depression (1%), confusion (1.9%), bronchial hypersecretion (1.4%), slowed reactions and anterograde amnesia, restlessness and disorientation have also been observed.
With some forms of epilepsy, an increase in the frequency of seizures during long-term treatment is possible. In rare cases, urticaria, pruritus, skin rash, angioneurotic oedema, pharyngeal oedema, temporary hair loss, pigmentation changes, nausea, epigastric symptoms, headache, chest pain, thrombocytopenia, loss of libido, impotence and urinary incontinence can occur.
Respiratory depression is possible, especially when clonazepam is administered intravenously. This effect can be avoided by careful adjustment of the final dose.
Isolated cases of reversible development of premature secondary sex characteristics in children (incomplete precocious puberty) and anaphylactic shock have been reported. Particularly when treatment is over prolonged periods or at high doses, reversible disorders such as a slowing or slurring of speech (dysarthria), reduced accuracy of gait and movements (ataxia) or disorders of vision (double vision, nystagmus) may occur.
Under treatment, a few patients may experience paradoxical reactions in the form of excitation, irritability and aggressiveness. Even if taken as directed clonazepam can slow reactions to such an extent that the ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery is seriously impaired. This effect is increased if the patient has also taken alcohol.
Other adverse events which have been reported are:
Biochemical: abnormal liver function test, leucopenia, eosinophilia, anaemia;
Cardiovascular: hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia (after IV injection);
Dermatological: ankle and facial oedema, hirsutism;
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, vomiting, dyspepsia, increased appetite, constipation, dysphagia, hyperphagia, hepatomegaly;
General: weight gain, weight loss, dehydration, fever, lymphadenopathy;
Genitourinary: increased libido, dysuria, enuresis, nocturia, urinary retention;
Musculoskeletal: hypotonia;
Nervous system: apathy, aphonia, coma, confusion, dysdiadochokinesis, headache, hemiparesis, lethargy,
respiratory depression, tremor;
Ocular: abnormal eye movements, diplopia;
Psychiatric: dysphoria, forgetfulness, hallucinations, hysteria, insomnia, psychosis, suicidal attempt;
Respiratory: chest congestion, mucus obstruction of nasopharynx, rhinorrhoea, shortness of breath.
For more informaton on this medication, please review the prescribing information.
Answer Posted: June 29, 2008
Answer:
Rivotril is a brand name for the drug clonazepam, which is classified as a benzodiazepine. It also goes by the brand name Klonopin. All medications in the benzodiazepine class can cause similar side effects. The manufacturer of Rivotril provides the following information about potential side effects:
Adverse effects to Rivotril occur in about 50% of patients, depending on dose and are usually due to its sedative and muscle relaxant effects.
These side effects are usually temporary, but they can continue in up to 10%
of patients . Adverse effects can be reduced by using a low initial dose and gradual increasing the dosage. The following side effects occur commonly: drowsiness (50%), ataxia (30%), behavior problems (25%), hypersalivation (10%), fatigue (8%), muscle weakness (5%), vertigo (5%), and lightheadedness,lassitude and dizziness. These effects are usually temporary and generally disappear during treatment. Sometimes the dose needs to be reduced in order to relieve the side effect.
Agitation (1.5%), excitability (0.7%), irritability (1.5%), aggressive behavior (1.4%), disturbances of concentration, depression (1%), confusion (1.9%), bronchial hypersecretion (1.4%), slowed reactions and anterograde amnesia, restlessness and disorientation have also been observed.
With some forms of epilepsy, an increase in the frequency of seizures during long-
Respiratory depression is possible, especially when clonazepam is administered intravenously. This effect can be avoided by careful adjustment of the final dose.
Isolated cases of reversible development of premature secondary sex characteristics in children (incomplete precocious puberty) and anaphylactic shock have been reported. Particularly when treatment is over prolonged periods or at high doses, reversible disorders such as a slowing or slurring of speech (dysarthria), reduced accuracy of gait and movements (ataxia) or disorders of vision (double vision, nystagmus) may occur.
Under treatment, a few patients may experience paradoxical reactions in the form of excitation, irritability and aggressiveness. Even if taken as directed clonazepam can slow reactions to such an extent that the ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery is seriously impaired. This effect is increased if the patient has also taken alcohol.
Other adverse events which have been reported are:
Biochemical: abnormal liver function test, leucopenia, eosinophilia, anaemia;
Cardiovascular: hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia (after IV injection);
Dermatological: ankle and facial oedema, hirsutism;
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, vomiting, dyspepsia, increased appetite, constipation, dysphagia, hyperphagia, hepatomegaly;
General: weight gain, weight loss, dehydration, fever, lymphadenopathy;
Genitourinary: increased libido, dysuria, enuresis, nocturia, urinary retention;
Musculoskeletal: hypotonia;
Nervous system: apathy, aphonia, coma, confusion, dysdiadochokinesis, headache, hemiparesis, lethargy,
respiratory depression, tremor;
Ocular: abnormal eye movements, diplopia;
Psychiatric: dysphoria, forgetfulness, hallucinations, hysteria, insomnia, psychosis, suicidal attempt;
Respiratory: chest congestion, mucus obstruction of nasopharynx, rhinorrhoea, shortness of breath.
For more informaton on this medication, please review the prescribing information.
Answer Posted: June 29, 2008