Use and side effects of Clonotril

Clonotril ® is a brand of clonazepam available in Indian sub-continent. It is a benzodiazepine class medication prescribed for epilepsy, anxiety disorders and for sleep disorders. Most common side effects reported by patients are drowsiness, dizziness, light headedness and walking difficulties (ataxia).

Long term side effects of Clonotril 

In addition to the common short term side effects mentioned above this medication has habit forming properties (Where the person need increasingly higher dosage to get the same effect esp. Sleep and reduction in anxiety) in long term use.

Clonotril 2mg tablets

What are the Uses of Clonotril ®

Epilepsy is the primary use of this medication. It decreases seizure frequency in epileptic patients. But it is commonly used in combination with other anti-epileptic medications. In psychiatry, it can be used to calm down severely disturbed patients and it is also used to treat sleep problems.

However, when it is used for sleep problems, it is very important to identify the underlying cause for the sleep problem. It is important to practice sleep hygiene techniques before getting treatment from sleep medications.

There are many causes for sleep problems that can be treated without sleep inducing medications. Depression and anxiety disorders are common causes for sleep disturbances. These problems settle once underlying cause is treated. In addition, there can be numerous medical problems associated with sleep difficulties.

Clonotril is prescribed in sleep problems, but sleep hygiene techniques should be tried first

Following sleep hygiene methods should be tried before taking medications

1. It is important to use the bed only for sleep

2. Do not take daytime naps or minimize them

3. It is very important not to take alcohol, coffee, coke or chocolate (Caffeine) just before sleep. Alcohol causes serious sleep disturbances. 

4. When you are having difficult time falling asleep then you need to get up from the bed and do something else without staying on the bed.

5. It is also important to make the sleeping environment comfortable, quiet and calm. Make your bed sheets clean and tidy.  

6. Exercise in day time, but not in night before sleep. 

Dose of Clonotril and how to use it

Dosage range is between 0.5mg to 4mg. However, most doctors prescribe between is 1mg and 2mgs. It is usually taken in the night to make sure drowsiness would not interfere with day to day activities. In addition, this medication has long action (30 – 40 hrs), so it is usually prescribed once a day.

Crushing this medication would increase side effects. E.g. Taking half a tablet would increase blood levels rapidly and cause more side effects so take the dose similar to ½ tablet as whole. In addition, take this medication with meal and with a full glass of water. 

It is very important not to exceed the dose prescribed by the doctor. If you feel you need more medication, then discuss with your prescribing doctor. This medication is having habit forming properties, therefore do not take it for long term without explicit advice from your doctor. If you discontinue it suddenly after prolonged use then there is possibility that it will cause severe withdrawal symptoms. 

What are the side effects of Clonotril

Following are a list of common side effects

1. Drowsiness

2. Dizziness

3. Unsteady gait (walking)

4. Muscle weakness

Drowsiness is a very significant side effect. It can affect driving and machinery operation. Sometimes it can persist into the morning even after night dose. Therefore, it is very important that you to see how you feel before driving or operating machinery. 

Operating machinery and driving can be dangerous when you are on this medication

What are the less common side effects of this medication? 

1. Headache and pain

2. Vertigo or unbalanceness 

3. Slurred speech

4. Low blood pressure 

5. Tremors of hands and body

6. Urine problems: - Common in elderly people

7. Respiratory depression: - It is important to tell whether you have respiratory problems such as Asthma, before getting the prescription. 

8. Blood disorders

9. Skin reactions

10. Paradoxical excitation: - Can cause disinhibition and increased activity in certain group of people.

What you should to tell your doctor, before getting the prescription?

If you are known to have following problems or medical condition, it is important that you tell that to your family doctor.

1. Liver problems

2. Kidney problems

3. Heart problems

4. Snoring in the night: - It is an indication of a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. In such people, it can cause dangerous lowering of breathing which causes the blood oxygen levels to drop during sleep. It may result in brain damage. Due to poor sleep at night, people with snoring complaints daytime drowsiness. 

5. Any medications or drugs you are taking, including street drugs

6. If you are a woman, then it is important to mention whether you are pregnant. 

You need to tell whether you are pregnant before getting prescription

Summary

Clonotril ® is a benzodiazepine class medication prescribed for epilepsy, calm down disturbed patients and for sleep problems. Common problems associated with this medication are drowsiness, lightheadedness and it can be habit forming in long term use.

Pictures  Courtesy : Wikimedia

Uses and side effects of Anxit tablets

Anxit is an Indian brand name of Generic Alprazolam manufactured by Micro pharmaceuticals. It is prescribed for anxiety disorders and in sleep problems. At lower doses it is helpful in reducing anxiety while causing minimal drowsiness. Most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue and addiction. This medication can be habit forming in long term use. 

Anxit tablets

Uses of Anxit tablets

This tablet is primarily used to treat anxiety. At 0.25mg thrice a day, it is effective in treating sudden anxiety. It is helpful for people who experience anxiety in social situations such as social phobia. In addition, it is helpful in treating sudden panic attacks. However, it is not recommended to long term use in panic attacks.

In addition to above uses it can be used in treating epilepsy. However, it is rarely used for this purpose. 

This medication is used primarily to reduce anxiety

Dose range and use of Anxit tablets

This medication comes in 0.25mg and 0.5 tablets. Usually it is used thrice a day. It should not be crushed before use as it will increase the side effects. In addition, it should be taken with full glass of water.

This medication should not be used as a long term anti-anxiety medication. It is because it has habit forming properties and it can cause adverse effects upon discontinuation. In addition, in long term use some people may need increasing doses to get the same effect. So it is advisable to take it short term (Usually less than 3 months).

Common side effects

This medication is known to cause sedation and drowsiness. It can interfere with operating machinery and driving. Therefore, it is very important not to operate machinery or drive while on this medication. In addition, please state your occupation before getting the prescription from your doctor.

This medication interfere with normal sleep pattern. Therefore, some people may not experience natural sleep while on this medication. They may not feel refreshed following sleep.

This medication can cause problems with operating machinery

Some people may get suicidal ideation and this medication is known to precipitate depressive episodes. Other common side effects are impairment in memory, confusion, and fatigue. Confusion is much more common among elderly people who takes this medication.

This medication can interfere with driving

List of common side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sedation

2.       Drowsiness

3.       Dizziness

4.       Loss of quality sleep

5.       Depression

6.       Disinhibition

7.       Aggression

8.       Memory impairment

9.       Confusion

10.    Fatigue

Rare side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sexual difficulties

2.       Allergic reactions

3.       Headache

4.       Difficulty in walking

You need to discuss following information with your doctor before getting prescription

1.       Kidney disease

2.       Pregnancy status

3.       Breastfeeding

4.       Liver disease

5.       Breathing problem such as Asthma

6.       Clinical depression

7.       Myasthenia gravis

Summary

Anxit is a prescription only benzodiazepine class medication. Its generic name is Alprazolam. It is prescribed in Anxiety disorders and prescribed to induce sleep as well. Its main side effects are sedation, drowsiness, confusion and memory impairment.

Petril tablets uses and side effects

Petril ® is a clonazepam (benzodiazepine) brand manufactured in India. It is prescribed in epilepsy, anxiety disorders and in sleep problems. Most commonly reported side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, light headedness and problems in walking (ataxia).

In addition to the side effects mentioned above it has habit forming properties (Needing more dose to get the same effect especially sleep and getting unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped) in long term use.

Petril 2mg tablets from MICRO pharma

Uses of Petril ®

This medication is used primarily to treat epilepsy. However, it is used in combination with other types of anti-epileptic medications. In psychiatry practice, it is used to calm down disturbed patients and to treat sleep problems.

In treating sleep problems, it is important to identify the cause for sleep problems and practice sleep hygiene techniques before getting pharmaceutical treatment.

Most common causes for sleep problems are psychiatry and medical problems. Common psychiatry problems are depression and anxiety disorders. Sleep problem settle once the underlying cause is treated.

Sleep hygiene techniques should be tried before taking this medication

Sleep hygiene techniques that could be tried before taking this medication

1. Use the bed only for sleep
2. Do not sleep in the day
3. Do not take alcohol, coffee, coke or chocolate (Caffeine) just before sleep
4. When you are unable to sleep then get up from the bed and do something else for some time
5. Try to make the sleeping environment comfortable, quiet and calm 
6. Overall exercise improves sleep, but try not to do vigorous exercise just before sleep

Dosage and how to take it

Petril ® is prescribed in 0.5mg to 4mg dose range. Most common dose is 1mg and 2mgs. It is taken at night therefore drowsiness would not interfere with day to day activities. Since this medication has long half-life (30 – 40 hrs), it is prescribed once a day.

To minimize side effects do not crush the medication. Take it with a meal and with a full glass of water. Do not exceed the dose prescribed by the doctor. Since it has abuse potential, do not take this without doctor’s prescription.

This medication should be taken long term with close medical supervision. It is because of its habit forming properties and quite severe withdrawal reaction.

Side effects of Petril ®

A list of common side effects

1. Drowsiness
2. Dizziness
3. Unsteady gait (walking)
4. Muscle weakness

It is very important that drowsiness and lightheadedness may persists into next day when you have taken this medication at night. Therefore, it is very important that you need to be very careful when driving or operating machinery.

IMPORTANT ! Operating machinery can become problematic when you are on this medication

IMPORTANT ! You should be careful when driving vehicles while on this medication

Uncommon side effects of Petril ® 

1. Headache
2. Vertigo
3. Slurred speech
4. Low blood pressure or hypotension
5. Tremors of hands and body
6. Urine incontinence and retention: - Common in elderly people
7. Rare side effects 
8. Respiratory depression: - It is important to tell whether you have respiratory problems such as Asthma, before getting the prescription. 
9. Blood disorders
10. Skin reactions
11. Paradoxical excitation: - Can cause disinhibition and increased activity in certain group of people.

What to tell your doctor before getting the prescription?

If you have following problems or medical condition, it is very important that you tell your doctor about them.

1. Liver disease
2. Kidney disease
3. Heart disease
4. Whether you are snoring in the night: - It is an indication that you have obstructive sleep apnea. When this medication is given in obstructive sleep apnea, it can result in dangerous lowering of respiration and blood oxygen levels in sleep that may result in brain damage. People with snoring complaint about poor sleep which make it a dangerous combination. 
5. Your work and occupation
6. Any medications you are on including street drugs
7. Whether you are pregnant or breast feeding

Snoring due to sleep apnea can cause sleep problems and prescribing sleep inducing medications in them can cause serious problems. 

Summary

Petril ® is a benzodiazepine class medication and its generic name is clonazepam. It is prescribed for epilepsy and in sleep problems. Main problems associated with this medication are drowsiness, lightheadedness and habit forming properties. This medication should not be a long term solution for sleep problems.

Pictures  Courtesy : Wikimedia

Uses and side effects of Nitrest

Nitrest is an Indian brand of generic medication called Zolpidem Tartrate. It’s common brand name is Ambien. It is classified as a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. It is a prescription only medication used to induce sleep or as a temporary treatment for insomnia. However, it has addictive and abuse potential.

Nitrest10mg tablets

Uses of Nitrest

Nitrest helps to induce sleep. You will usually get sleepy usually within 15 minutes of taking Nitrest. Its effects usually lasts for six to seven hours. But some people can get hangovers in the next day.

In addition, it does not change the sleep architecture (Amount of REM and NREM sleep). Therefore, unlike benzodiazepine hypnotics (Valium) you will feel refreshed after the sleep. Due to its sleep inducing properties some people abuse it. In fact Zolpidem (Nitrest) abuse is a recognized phenomenon. 

Another brand of Zolpidem is Zolfresh.

Nitrest is used to help sleep

What are other side effects associated with Nitrest?

This medication can cause diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, headache, hallucinations, agitation, memory problems, nightmares, depression, confusion and problems in walking such as unsteady gait.

Sleep walking is also reported rarely.

However, above side effects are not common and most people tolerate this medication quite well.

Problems associated with Nitrest

This medication should be used only for short term relief of insomnia. It is not recommended to use it for long term. It is not recommended to use it for more than four weeks. It is because long term insomnia would be due to underlying medical or psychiatric condition that need treatment. In addition, due to addictive potential long term use can cause problems.

Nitrest should be used cautiously in depression, psychosis and in patients with history of alcohol and other substance use.

This medication should not be used by patients with myasthenia gravis.

Sometimes drowsiness may persist into next day. This will cause problems with driving and operating machinery.

Inform your doctor whether you have following conditions,

1. Clinical depression or Bipolar disorder
2. Liver and kidney problems
3. Myasthenia gravis
4. Breathing difficulties

Driving can be dangerous if you took Nitrest last night

Nitrest should not be used by people with obstructive sleep apnea. It is common among people who snores at night. Snoring is caused by obstruction in respiratory tract that occurs in deep sleep. Due to this obstruction frequent nighttime awakenings occur and it can be misidentified as insomnia. In addition, taking this class of medications (hypnotics) by such people can cause severe obstruction and in some occasions brain damage.

In addition, this medications should not be used in patients with end stage renal and hepatic disease.

Use in pregnancy can cause problems in muscle tone, delayed crying and reduced body temperature in newborn baby.

Summary

Nitrest is a medication prescribed for short term relief of insomnia. It acts quickly and effects goes off quickly as well. However, it have addictive potential and can cause problems with driving and operating machinery. 

You can get more information about this medication from Medline online medical library