Klonopin is the brand name used in the United States and some other countries for the seizure medicine clonazepam. In Canada and the UK, the brand name Rivotril is used for clonazepam. In India, the brand name is Epitril.

Klonopin belongs to a group of medications called the benzodiazepines (BEN-zo-di-AZ-ah-peens). The use of benzodiazepines to treat epilepsy over a long period of time is controversial because tolerance often develops within weeks. Tolerance occurs when a person has to take larger and larger doses of a medication to achieve the same result .(Read more about tolerance.)

Because Klonopin has a high degree of tolerance it will work well for brief periods of time, but its effectiveness may decrease over time. In addition, since the dosage must be increased to maintain the same degree of seizure control the side effects associated with Klonopin may increase too.

Forms
Klonopin is manufactured in the United States by Roche Pharmaceuticals. The name or appearance may differ in other countries. The dose (measured in milligrams, abbreviated "mg") will usually be the same. These descriptions apply to the U.S. versions:

Tablets

	0.5 mg: round, orange-colored tablet marked with K
	1 mg: round, blue tablet marked with K
	2 mg: round, white tablet marked with K

Wafers (orally disintegrating tablets) (not shown)
White, round tablets packaged in a blister pack, at various doses:

0.125 mg (marked 1/8)
0.25 mg (marked 1/4)
0.5 mg (marked 1/2)
1 mg (marked 1)
2 mg (marked 2)

Generic clonazepam tablets in similar doses are available from several companies in the United States.

Rivotril is available in the UK in 0.5-mg (500-microgram) and 2-mg tablets.

How to take and store Klonopin

Tablets
Regular Klonopin tablets should be swallowed whole, with a little water. Do not bite them.

Klonopin Wafers
Klonopin wafers will dissolve rapidly in saliva, so water is not necessary (but drinking some is OK). Using dry hands, place the wafer in the mouth immediately after peeling back the foil from the blister pack.

Taking Klonopin
It's OK to take Klonopin either with food or without food. It is recommended that if the doses are not equally divided during the day, the largest dose should be taken at bedtime.

Be careful if the doctor writes a new prescription using a different kind of pill. For example, if you've been using 1-mg tablets and the new prescription is for 2-mg tablets, be careful to use the correct number. Don't automatically continue to use the same number of pills as before.

Store all types of Klonopin at room temperature.

What if I forget?
A forgotten dose should be taken right away. If it is almost time for the next one, just use one dose, not a double dose, and call the doctor's office for more advice.

Do your best to follow the doctor's directions. If you forget doses often, it may be a good idea to get a special pillbox or watch with an alarm to remind you.

Taking the right amount of seizure medicine on time every single day is the most important step in preventing seizures!

Reviewed February 2004 by Steven C. Schachter, MD, epilepsy.com Editorial Board.