What is Klonopin?
Klonopin, or Clonazepam, is an anti-anxiety medication. It belongs to a family of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs have been around for a long time. They’re fairly popular with doctors. This is because they’re very good at what they do. But sometimes they work too well. This can lead to dependence and addiction.
A Brief History
Clonazepam was patented in 1964. The motivation to create the drug was simple. Barbiturates were the main option for sedative drugs until the 1950’s. However, these drugs are very dangerous. They are easy to accidentally overdose on. They also have a high rate of addiction.
Klonopin was developed to solve these problems. It was initially developed for anxiety and panic disorders. Later, studies showed that it is effective in treating seizures.
Since that time the drug has evolved. It is now available in generic form. It also comes in a wide range of doses.
How is Klonopin Used?
The drug comes in several forms. The most common is a normal pill. It comes in .5, 1, and 2 mg dosages. But there are also other options. These include pills that dissolve in your mouth. These come in .125, .25, .5, 1, and 2 mg strengths.
Clonazepam has two primary uses. Treating anxiety disorders and seizures. Benzodiazepines, the family of drugs that Klonopin belongs to, are very effective. They act quickly. They also have a high threshold for overdose.
These qualities make the drug an appealing choice for doctors. After all, someone having a panic attack can’t wait an hour for their medication to work. But these same qualities also make the drug dangerous. It’s easy to develop a dependence. It’s also difficult to break an addiction.
It’s also an effective drug for seizures. It helps prevent seizures from happening. This is because the sedative effects make it more difficult for the body to start having a seizure.
Important Facts
The number of prescriptions for Klonopin has been growing. It is the third most common benzo prescribed in America. More than 5 million Americans will take the drug at some point in their life. In 2004 there were just under 12 million prescriptions written for it. By 2015 there were nearly 24 million prescriptions written.
That’s not all. The rate of fatal overdoses involving benzos has quadrupled in the past 20 years. It’s estimated that nearly 2 million people used a drug like Clonazepam non-medically in the past month. 360,000 teens aged 16-17 have used it recreationally.
There are also legal issues for people who take the drug for fun. Possessing it without a prescription can cause misdemeanor and felony charges. This can result in up to 5 years in prison at the state level. At the federal level you can face up to 10 years in jail and a fine of $500,000 – $1 million. Additionally, being on the drug while driving can result in a DUI.
Many people wonder how long Klonopin stays in your system. This is a tricky situation. Most people need professional help to safely stop taking the drug. It usually leaves your system in 3-5 days. But it can take as long as a week. It’s important to note that it can take your body several weeks to get over withdrawal symptoms.