LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Clonazepam: Benzodiazepines
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Clonazepam is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (Dalmane), and others. Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) which inhibits many of the activities of the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders. Clonazepam ... is used to prevent certain types of seizures.
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Clonazepam is a chlorinated derivative of nitrazepam.[3] Clonazepam is classed as a nitrobenzodiazepine along with nitrazepam and flunitrazepam.[4] Aromatic nitro-containing compounds such as clonazepam produce superoxide free radicals during cellular metabolism by endothelial cells. The nitro anion radical produced during clonazepam metabolism rapidly reacts with oxygen to form the free radical superoxide.[5][6] Benzodiazepines, including clonazepam, bind to glial cell membranes with high affinity.[7][8]
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Clonazepam was shown to be teratogenic in some animal studies. Clonazepam crosses the placenta. Benzodiazepine use during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of congenital malformations. Nonteratogenic effects (including neonatal flaccidity, respiratory and feeding problems, and withdrawal symptoms) during the postnatal period have ... been reported with benzodiazepine use. Epilepsy itself, number of medications, genetic factors, or a combination of these probably influence the teratogenicity of anticonvulsant therapy.
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Clonazepam 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.)
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Clonazepam has been used in the management of seizure disorders in children and ... for infantile spasms. However, usefulness of clonazepam is limited due to its deleterious effect on neurological function, especially its negative effect on cognition. Clobazam, a 1,5-benzodiazepine, has shown to be less neurotoxic than 1,4-benzodiazepines such as clonazepam.[35][36]
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Clonazepam should not be used in patients with a history of sensitivity to benzodiazepines, nor in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. It may be used in patients with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy, but is contraindicated in acute narrow angle glaucoma.
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Benzodiazepines