Clonazepam, as it is correctly known, is a derivative of benzodiazepine. It has muscle relaxant, anti-convulsant and highly-potent anxiolytic properties.
This drug is generally prescribed for patients suffering from epilepsy and anxiety or panic disorders. In combination with first-line drugs, such as risperidone, lithium and haloperidol, it is also used as an initial treatment for mania or acute psychosis.
In addition, it is occasionally used to treat various forms of parasomnia. These include restless leg syndrome, bruxism and rapid eye movement behaviour disorder.
Other conditions it is used for from time to time include chronic and acute akathisia induced by antipsychotics, or neuroleptics and amyotrphic lateral sclerosis related spasticity.
Unfortunately, increasing numbers of individuals are using clonazepam as a recreational drug. It has a relatively short half-life of approximately 18 to 50 hours and, assuming normal liver function, should exit an individual's system within just over four days.
Potential recreational users should, however, be aware of the possible side and long-term effects of this powerful drug. These include:
•Drowsiness/ dizziness
•Interference with motor and cognitive abilities
•Aggression and irritability
•Psychomotor agitation
•Loss of motivation and libido
•Impaired balance and co-ordination
•Hallucinations
•Short-term memory loss
•Hangover-like symptoms
•Rebound insomnia
•Depression
•Dysphoria
•Thrombocytopenia
•Serious psychological and/or psychiatric effects, including personality changes and behavioural disturbances
•Confusion
•Ataxia
•Psychosis
•Incontinence
•Liver damage
•Long-term depression disinhibition and sexual dysfunction
Withdrawal related effects include irritability, anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks, as well as delirium tremens-like seizures.
It would be more advisable for potential users to consider this serious list of effects before taking clonazepam, rather than worrying about the length of time it may remain in the system.
It may not show in blood tests after four days, but long-term effects could be catastrophic.
This drug is generally prescribed for patients suffering from epilepsy and anxiety or panic disorders. In combination with first-line drugs, such as risperidone, lithium and haloperidol, it is also used as an initial treatment for mania or acute psychosis.
In addition, it is occasionally used to treat various forms of parasomnia. These include restless leg syndrome, bruxism and rapid eye movement behaviour disorder.
Other conditions it is used for from time to time include chronic and acute akathisia induced by antipsychotics, or neuroleptics and amyotrphic lateral sclerosis related spasticity.
Unfortunately, increasing numbers of individuals are using clonazepam as a recreational drug. It has a relatively short half-life of approximately 18 to 50 hours and, assuming normal liver function, should exit an individual's system within just over four days.
Potential recreational users should, however, be aware of the possible side and long-term effects of this powerful drug. These include:
•Drowsiness/ dizziness
•Interference with motor and cognitive abilities
•Aggression and irritability
•Psychomotor agitation
•Loss of motivation and libido
•Impaired balance and co-ordination
•Hallucinations
•Short-term memory loss
•Hangover-like symptoms
•Rebound insomnia
•Depression
•Dysphoria
•Thrombocytopenia
•Serious psychological and/or psychiatric effects, including personality changes and behavioural disturbances
•Confusion
•Ataxia
•Psychosis
•Incontinence
•Liver damage
•Long-term depression disinhibition and sexual dysfunction
Withdrawal related effects include irritability, anxiety, insomnia and panic attacks, as well as delirium tremens-like seizures.
It would be more advisable for potential users to consider this serious list of effects before taking clonazepam, rather than worrying about the length of time it may remain in the system.
It may not show in blood tests after four days, but long-term effects could be catastrophic.
