Drug Interactions between Klonopin and Topamax

Using clonazePAM together with ethanol (alcohol) can increase nervous system side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with clonazePAM. Do not use more than the recommended dose of clonazePAM, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medication without first talking to your doctor.

The use of benzodiazepines with alcohol is not recommended. Patients with acute alcohol intoxication exhibit depressed vital signs. The central nervous system depressant effects of benzodiazepines may be additive with those of alcohol, and severe respiratory depression and death may occur. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients who might be prone to acute alcohol intake.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

Benzodiazepines have the potential to cause dependence and abuse. Tolerance as well as physical and psychological dependence can develop, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. However, abrupt cessation following continual use of as few as 6 weeks at therapeutic levels has occasionally precipitated withdrawal symptoms. Addiction- prone individuals, such as those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse, should be under careful surveillance when treated with benzodiazepines. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients. After prolonged use or if dependency is suspected, withdrawal of benzodiazepine therapy should be undertaken gradually using a dosage- tapering schedule. If withdrawal symptoms occur, temporary reinstitution of benzodiazepines may be necessary.

Oligohidrosis (decreased sweating) and hyperthermia have been reported in association with the use of some carbonic anhydrase inhibitor anticonvulsants such as topiramate and zonisamide. Most of the reports have been in children. Caution and close monitoring of body temperature is advised when prescribing these drugs, especially in patients with a fever, in hot weather, or if combined with other drugs that predispose to heat related disorders. Zonisamide is not approved for use in pediatric patients in the U.S.

The manufacturers consider the use of benzodiazepines to be contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma or untreated open-angle glaucoma. These agents do not possess anticholinergic activity but have very rarely been associated with increased intraocular pressure.

The use of clonazepam is considered by the manufacturer to be contraindicated in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. Clonazepam is primarily metabolized by the liver, and the metabolites are eliminated by the kidney. Due to the possibility of excess accumulation of metabolites and the unknown effects of such accumulation, therapy with clonazepam should also be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

The use of clonazepam is considered by the manufacturer to be contraindicated in patients with clinical or biochemical evidence of significant liver disease. Clonazepam is primarily metabolized by the liver, and the metabolites are eliminated by the kidney. Due to the possibility of excess accumulation of metabolites and the unknown effects of such accumulation, therapy with clonazepam should also be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment.

Benzodiazepines may cause respiratory depression and apnea, usually when given in high dosages and/or by intravenous administration. However, some patients may be susceptible at commonly used dosages, including the elderly, debilitated or severely ill patients, those receiving other CNS depressants, and those with limited ventilatory reserve, chronic pulmonary insufficiency or other respiratory disorders. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in these patients. Appropriate monitoring and individualization of dosage are particularly important, and equipment for resuscitation should be immediately available if the parenteral route is used. Benzodiazepines, especially injectable formulations, should generally be avoided in patients with sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency, or hypoxia.

The use of benzodiazepines in patients with seizure disorders may increase the incidence or precipitate the onset of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal). Appropriate anticonvulsant medication might need to be initiated or the dosage increased. Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepine therapy may precipitate seizures and other withdrawal symptoms, particularly after prolonged use and/or excessive dosages. Status epilepticus may occur in patients with a history of seizures withdrawn rapidly from benzodiazepine therapy. Following chronic administration, cessation of benzodiazepine therapy should occur gradually with incrementally reduced dosages. Patients should be advised not to discontinue medication without first consulting with the physician.

Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

The use of topiramate increases the risk of kidney stones. The reported incidence was 1.5% during premarketing use, which is about 2 to 4 times that expected in a similar, untreated population. Topiramate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and may promote stone formation by reducing urinary citrate excretion and increasing urinary pH. Therapy with topiramate should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients, especially those with predisposing factors (e.g., history of nephrolithiasis), to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. The concomitant use of topiramate with any other drug producing metabolic acidosis, or potentially in patients on a ketogenic diet, may create a physiological environment that increases the risk of kidney stone formation and should be avoided. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during topiramate therapy.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

A syndrome consisting of acute myopia associated with secondary angle closure glaucoma has been reported in patients receiving topiramate. Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity and/or ocular pain. It typically occurs within 1 month of treatment initiation and it has been reported in both pediatric and adult patients. Caution is recommended when prescribing topiramate in patients with elevated intraocular pressure regardless of the etiology.

Topiramate is cleared by hemodialysis at a rate that is 4 to 6 times greater than that in a normal individual. To avoid rapid drops in topiramate plasma level during hemodialysis, a supplemental dose may be required. The actual adjustment should consider the duration of dialysis, the clearance rate of the dialysis system being used, and the effective renal clearance of topiramate in the patient being dialyzed.

The use of topiramate increases the risk of kidney stones. The reported incidence was 1.5% during premarketing use, which is about 2 to 4 times that expected in a similar, untreated population. Topiramate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and may promote stone formation by reducing urinary citrate excretion and increasing urinary pH. Therapy with topiramate should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients, especially those with predisposing factors (e.g., history of nephrolithiasis), to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. The concomitant use of topiramate with any other drug producing metabolic acidosis, or potentially in patients on a ketogenic diet, may create a physiological environment that increases the risk of kidney stone formation and should be avoided. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during topiramate therapy.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Plasma clearance of topiramate decreased a mean of 26% in patients with moderate to severe liver dysfunction. After a single dose of phentermine 15 mg-topiramate 92 mg, pharmacokinetics of topiramate were not affected in patients with mild (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6) and moderate (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9) liver dysfunction when compared with healthy subjects. Patients with inborn errors of metabolism or reduced hepatic mitochondrial activity may be at increased risk for hyperammonemia with or without encephalopathy. Although not studied, use of topiramate may exacerbate existing defects or unmask deficiencies in susceptible patients.

Plasma clearance of topiramate decreased a mean of 26% in patients with moderate to severe liver dysfunction. After a single dose of phentermine 15 mg-topiramate 92 mg, pharmacokinetics of topiramate were not affected in patients with mild (Child-Pugh score 5 to 6) and moderate (Child-Pugh score 7 to 9) liver dysfunction when compared with healthy subjects. Patients with inborn errors of metabolism or reduced hepatic mitochondrial activity may be at increased risk for hyperammonemia with or without encephalopathy. Although not studied, use of topiramate may exacerbate existing defects or unmask deficiencies in susceptible patients.

A syndrome consisting of acute myopia associated with secondary angle closure glaucoma has been reported in patients receiving topiramate. Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity and/or ocular pain. It typically occurs within 1 month of treatment initiation and it has been reported in both pediatric and adult patients. Caution is recommended when prescribing topiramate in patients with elevated intraocular pressure regardless of the etiology.

The use of topiramate increases the risk of kidney stones. The reported incidence was 1.5% during premarketing use, which is about 2 to 4 times that expected in a similar, untreated population. Topiramate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and may promote stone formation by reducing urinary citrate excretion and increasing urinary pH. Therapy with topiramate should be administered cautiously with adequate hydration in patients, especially those with predisposing factors (e.g., history of nephrolithiasis), to minimize the risk of kidney stone formation. The concomitant use of topiramate with any other drug producing metabolic acidosis, or potentially in patients on a ketogenic diet, may create a physiological environment that increases the risk of kidney stone formation and should be avoided. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for the development of nephrolithiasis and should be encouraged to consume additional amounts of liquid during topiramate therapy.

The plasma half-lives of benzodiazepines may be prolonged in obese patients, presumably due to increased distribution into fat. Marked increases in distribution (> 100%) have been reported for diazepam and midazolam, and moderate increases (25% to 100%) for alprazolam, lorazepam, and oxazepam. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in obese patients, with careful monitoring of CNS status. Longer dosing intervals may be appropriate. When dosing by weight, loading doses should be based on actual body weight, while maintenance dose should be based on ideal body weight to avoid toxicity.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Pooled analyses of 199 placebo-controlled clinical studies involving the use of 11 different AEDs showed that patients receiving AEDs had approximately twice the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior compared to patients receiving placebo. AEDs should be administered cautiously in patients with depression or other psychiatric disorders; phentermine-topiramate should be avoided in patients with history of suicidal attempts or active suicidal ideation. The risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior should be carefully assessed against the risk of untreated illness, bearing in mind that epilepsy and many other conditions for which AEDs are prescribed are themselves associated with morbidity and mortality and an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients, caregivers, and families should be alert to the emergence or worsening of signs and symptoms of depression, any unusual changes in mood or behavior, or the emergence of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If patients have symptoms of suicidal ideation or behavior, a dosage reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

Benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system and may cause or exacerbate mental depression and cause suicidal behavior and ideation. Episodes of mania and hypomania have also been reported in depressed patients treated with some of these agents. Therapy with benzodiazepines should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of depression or other psychiatric disorders. Patients should be monitored for any changes in mood or behavior. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.

Paradoxical reactions, including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams, have been reported with the use of benzodiazepines in psychiatric patients and pediatric patients with hyperactive aggressive disorders. Such patients should be monitored for signs of paradoxical stimulation during therapy with benzodiazepines. The manufacturers do not recommend the use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of psychosis.

Reduced plasma bicarbonate levels and, in some instances, elevated plasma chloride levels may result in metabolic acidosis during long-term therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Therapy with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors should be administered cautiously in patients with metabolic or hyperchloremic acidosis or with conditions that predispose to acidosis (renal disease, severe respiratory disorders, diarrhea). The measurement of baseline and periodic serum bicarbonate is recommended. If metabolic acidosis develops (it may be corrected by administration of sodium bicarbonate), and persists, a dose reduction or treatment discontinuation should be considered.

The major route of elimination of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors is through the kidney. These drugs should be administered cautiously in patients with reduced renal function and a dose adjustment might be required depending on the level of impairment.