clonazepam
Apo-Clonazepam (CAN), Clonapam
(CAN), Gen-Clonazepam (CAN), Klonopin,
Rivotril (CAN)
Nursing Considerations
• Use clonazepam cautiously in patients
with renal failure, mixed seizure disorder
(because drug can increase the risk of generalized
tonic-clonic seizures), or respiratory
disease and troublesome secretions
(because clonazepam increases salivation)
and in elderly patients (because they’re
more sensitive to drug’s CNS effects).
•Monitor blood drug level, CBC, and liver
function test results during long-term or
high-dose therapy, as ordered.
WARNING Don’t stop drug abruptly; expect
to taper dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal
symptoms and seizures.
•Monitor patient closely for evidence of
suicidal thinking or behavior, especially
when therapy starts or dosage changes.
PATIENT TEACHING
• Tell patient to take drug exactly as prescribed.
Explain that stopping abruptly
can cause seizures and withdrawal symptoms.
• Advise patient to avoid alcohol and sleepinducing
drugs during therapy. Instruct
him to consult prescriber before taking
any OTC drugs.
• Urge patient to carry medical identification
of his seizure disorder and drug therapy.
•Warn patient about possible drowsiness.
• Instruct patient to report severe dizziness,
persistent drowsiness, palpitations, difficulty
urinating, seizure activity, and other
disruptive adverse reactions.
• Suggest that parents monitor child’s performance
in school because clonazepam
can cause drowsiness or inattentiveness.
• Urge caregivers to watch patient closely for
evidence of suicidal tendencies, especially
when therapy starts or dosage changes,
and to report concerns to prescriber
immediately.
• Urge female patient who becomes pregnant
while taking clonazepam to enroll in
the Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry
by calling 1-888-233-2334. Explain that
the registry is studying the safety of
antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.
