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Archive for the ‘Anticonvulsant’ Category

What is Ambien?

Ambien is the trade name of French pharmaceutical concern Sanofi-Aventis for zolpidem, a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic used for short-term intervention in insomnia. It is also of use in certain brain disorders. Ambien is very effective in helping a patient get to sleep but does not act effectively to maintain sleep. Although it has anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects, it is not used for this purpose because the dosage required would be at a level where side effects would be problematic.

Ambien works by potentiating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a similar mode of action to that of benzodiazepines.

What does Ambien look like?

Ambien is sold as a round pink pill with a strength of 6.25 mg and the imprint “A~”, a round blue pill with a strength of 12.5 mg and the imprint “A~”, an elliptical pink pill with a strength of 5 mg and the imprint “AMB 5 5401” and an elliptical white pill with a strength of 10 mg and the imprint “AMB 10 5421”.

Ambien dosing and administration

The standard initial dosage of Ambien is 10 mg taken immediately before sleeping. Older patients and those taking any kind of drug affecting the central nervous system are given a starting dose of 5 mg. Ambien should be taken without food. Because it is fast to take effect, it should not be taken until you are completely ready to sleep. It is intended for short-term use only and should not be used for more than one or two weeks. If you still need sleep medication after this, seek the advice of your doctor.

Common adverse effects from Ambien

The most common side effects of Ambien are daytime lethargy, vertigo, diarrhea, lack of coordination and light-headedness. Less common side effects which may occur are dry mouth, allergic reaction, palpitations, sinusitis, rash and abnormal dreams. In some cases there may be dangerous side effects which you should talk to your doctor about. These may included suicidal ideation, confusion, unusual extroversion or aggression, other strange behavior, depression, hallucinations, agitation, fainting, slurred speech and vision disturbances. In extremely rare cases there may be amnesia, sleepwalking, erectile dysfunction or hypertension.

Ambien warnings and precautions

You should talk to your doctor before taking Ambien if you have any history of sleep apnea, emphysema, liver or kidney disease, depression, any kind of addiction or allergies to any medicines. Alcohol should not be used while taking Ambien as it may increase the risk of certain side effects. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should inform your doctor of this. If you have any changes in behavior or notice any disturbing behavior or thought patterns while taking Ambien, you should discuss these with your doctor as soon as possible.

Interactions with Ambien

Ambien may interact with Alcohol, Sertraline, Rifampin, Flumazenil and other drugs which act on the central nervous system. These may included drugs intended to treat depression or anxiety.

What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is Roche’s trade name for clonazepam, a nitrobenzodiazepine used as an anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and anxiolytic. It is used to treat panic disorders and seizures is sometimes used in the treatment of epilepsy. It has a half-life of up to 50 hours, making it one of the most long-acting benzodiazepines.

Klonopin inhibits transmission across the synaptic gap in the central nervous system by binding to the benzodiazepine site of GABA receptors. Like all benzodiazepines it has no effect on GABA levels in the brain.

What does Klonopin look like?

Klonopin is sold as round pills with a “K” shaped perforation in strengths of 0.5, 1 and 2 mg. These are respectively orange with the imprint “K Roche 1 K Klonopin”, blue with the imprint “K Roche 1 K Klonopin” and white with the imprint “K Roche 2 K Klonopin”. It is also available as round white wafers in strengths of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg. These are imprinted with 1/8, 1, 1, and 1 respectively

Klonopin dosing and administration

The standard starting dosage for Klonopin when treating seizures in adults is a maximum of 0.5 mg three times daily. Your doctor may increase this dose up to a total of 20 mg total per day split into three smaller doses. For panic disorder the standard initial dos is 0.25 mg twice daily. Klonopin may be taken with or without food. Elderly patients are more sensitive to Klonopin and should begin treatment with this drug on a lower dosage.

Common adverse effects from Klonopin

Klonopin may cause lethargy in as many as 50 per cent of people. Other common side effects are coordination and behavior problems, dizziness and upper respiratory tract infections. Less common are aphasia, decreased libido, confusion, sinus infections, post-nasal drip, painful menstrual cramping and sexual problems which may include changes in libido, inability to ejaculate and erectile dysfunction. These sexual side effects are rare and are reversible on stopping treatment. Serious side effects which may occur infrequently are depression, loss of balance, suicidal ideation, dyspnea, memory problems, anxiety, agitation, aggression, insomnia, hallucinations and allergic reactions. Other possible side effects include weight fluctuations, edema of the feet or ankles, twitching, toothache increased salivation, hemorrhoids, motion sickness back pain and muscle cramps.

Klonopin warnings and precautions

Before taking Klonopin you should inform your doctor if you have glaucoma, a history of any substance abuse including alcohol, depression, respiratory problems, live or kidney disease or any allergies. You should also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or may become pregnant or if you are a nursing mother. Klonopin may cause physical dependence and this risk increases with the length of time the drug is taken. Because of this it may also cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.

Valium is the Hoffman-La Roche proprietary name for diazepam, a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, muscle spasm, restless legs syndrome, seizures and alcohol withdrawal. It may also be used to reduce anxiety before distressing medical procedures and to induce amnesia during some surgical procedures. As well as being anxiolytic, valium is also an anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant and also has hypnotic and sedative characteristics. It has the advantages of rapid effect and high efficiency which makes it useful for treating seizures. In addition, all benzodiazepines have relatively low toxicity.

Valium works on the brain by potentiating gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) a grain chemical which is a natural sedative with the capability of interfering with nerve signals in the brain which cause anxiety. Because of this action, Valium and similar benzodiazepines have mild tranquilizing action and are also central nervous system depressants.

What does Valium look like?

Valium is sold as a round tablet with a “V” shaped perforation in strengths of 2, 5 and 10 mgs. The 2 mg tablet is white with the imprint “Roche Roche 2 Valium”, the 5 mg tablet is yellow with the imprint “Roche Roche Valium 5” and the 10 mg tablet is blue with the imprint “Roche Roche Valium 10”. Valium is also available in oral liquid and injectable liquid forms.

Valium dosing and administration

The standard initial dosage of valium for anxiety is between 2 and 10 milligrams two to four times daily, depending on the severity of the condition. The same dosage is given for the control of seizures, usually in combination with other seizure drugs. For muscle spasms, the dosage is 2 to 10 mg three or four times daily. Valium is used for alcohol withdrawal at a starting dosage of 10 mg three or four times during the first 24 hours. From the second day, the dosage may be lowered to 5 mg three or four times a day. The treatment is usually short-term and restricted to the acute phase of alcohol withdrawal. Dosage for elderly people should be reduced because of possible hypersensitivity. The standard starting dose for all purposes is between 20 to 2.5 mg daily. This may be increased if necessary until the required effect is obtained. Valium may be given to children aged 6 or over at a dosage of 1 to 2.5 mg three times daily, on the advice of the doctor.

Common adverse effects from Valium

Valium is generally well tolerated and the most common side effects are drowsiness or fatigue. In rare cases there may be depression, hypotension, jaundice, suicidal ideation, dyspnea, anxiety, aggressive behavior, insomnia, hallucinations and erectile dysfunction or loss of libido. If these symptoms occur, immediate medical assistance should be sought.

Interactions with Valium

Valium should be used with caution when combined with alcohol, anesthetics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, barbiturates, sleeping medications, other benzodiazepines, probenecid, other seizure drugs and grapefruit juice.

Valium precautions and warnings

You should inform your doctor before taking Valium if you have glaucoma, a history of substance abuse, including alcohol, depression, liver or kidney disease or any kind of allergy.