Clonazepam is indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, as defined in DSM-IV.
Panic disorder is characterized by the occurrence of unexpected panic attacks and associated concern about having additional attacks, worry about the implications or consequences of the attacks, and/or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks.The efficacy of clonazepam was established in two 6- to 9-week trials in panic disorder patients whose diagnoses corresponded to the DSM-IIIR category of panic disorder (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:Clinical Trials).Panic disorder (DSM-IV) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks, i.e., a discrete period of intense fear or discomfort in which four (or more) of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:(1) palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate;(2) sweating;(3) trembling or shaking;(4) sensations of shortness of breath or smothering;(5) feeling of choking;(6) chest pain or discomfort;(7) nausea or abdominal distress;(8) feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint;(9) derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from one-self);(10) fear of losing control;(11) fear of dying;(12) paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations);(13) chills or hot flushes.The effectiveness of clonazepam in long-term use, that is, for more than 9 weeks, has not been systematically studied in controlled clinical trials.
The physician who elects to use clonazepam for extended periods should periodically reevaluate the long-term usefulness of the drug for the individual patient (seeDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
PANIC DISORDER 1 --
Sensory Discomfort -- A feeling of mental or physical uneasiness, pain, or distress.
Symptoms -- An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
Trembling --
Chest Pain -- Pressure, burning, or numbness in the chest.
Nausea -- An unpleasant sensation in the stomach usually accompanied by the urge to vomit. Common causes are early pregnancy, sea and motion sickness, emotional stress, intense pain, food poisoning, and various enteroviruses.
Lightheadedness --
Numbness --
Chills -- The sudden sensation of being cold. It may be accompanied by SHIVERING.
Hot flushes -- A sudden, temporary onset of body warmth, flushing, and sweating (often associated with menopause).
Menopausal hot flushes -- A sudden, temporary sensation of heat predominantly experienced by some women during MENOPAUSE. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)
NIH - Clinical Trials