CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TABLET

Name

• Common Name: Clonotril P 12.5mg Tablet
• Brand Name: CLONOTRIL P (by Torrent Pharma Ltd)

Composition

CLONOTRIL P 12.5mg Tablet is a combination medicine containing two active ingredients:

• Paroxetine: 12.5mg (an antidepressant, specifically a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor - SSRI)
• Clonazepam: 0.25mg or 0.5mg (an anticonvulsant and a benzodiazepine)

Uses

This medication is primarily used to manage various mental health conditions, including:

• Depression: Helps improve mood and feelings of well-being.
• Anxiety Disorders: Reduces nervousness and tension.
• Panic Attacks/Panic Disorder: Manages sudden episodes of intense fear.
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Certain Phobias
• Fits (Epilepsy)
• May also be used for hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause.

Dosage and Administration

• CLONOTRIL P 12.5mg Tablet should be taken in the dose and duration advised by a physician.
• It can be taken with or without food, but taking it at a fixed time each day is recommended to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the blood.
• Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, as it can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
• Typically, the dosage for adults with panic attack and disorder is 1 tablet once daily, as directed by the doctor.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects:

• Headache, dizziness
• Tiredness, sleepiness, drowsiness
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth
• Increased sweating
• Weight gain
• Sexual dysfunction (decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, difficulty reaching orgasm)
• Tremor, memory impairment, uncoordinated body movements
• High blood cholesterol levels
• Lack of sleep, abnormal dreams, agitation

Serious Side Effects (Contact your doctor immediately if experienced):

• Worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts and behavior
• Severe muscle stiffness, shakiness, fever, chest pain
• Signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, confusion, fast heartbeat, feeling dizzy, stiff muscles, muscle twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures)

Precautions

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Highly unsafe during pregnancy and generally considered unsafe during breastfeeding; consult a doctor.
• Alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol as it can increase drowsiness and dizziness and have severely harmful effects.
• Driving and Operating Machinery: May cause dizziness and sleepiness; avoid activities requiring mental focus until you know how the medicine affects you.
• Pre-existing Conditions: Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems, diabetes, glaucoma, breathing problems, bleeding disorders, mania, a history of drug/alcohol abuse, or suicidal tendencies.
• Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, especially other antidepressants (like MAOIs), serotonin agonists, or drugs affecting liver enzymes.
• Abrupt Discontinuation: Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
• Suicidal Thoughts: Monitor for changes in behavior or mood, particularly during the initial months of treatment, and report any suicidal thoughts immediately to your doctor.
• Habit-forming Potential: This medicine has habit-forming potential.
• Children and Adolescents: Not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 for treating depression unless prescribed by a child specialist.

Storage

• Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Keep it in its original packet or container, tightly closed.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Does not need to be refrigerated.
• Store below 30°C.

CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB: Frequently Asked Questions

CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB, manufactured by TORRENT PHARMA LTD (AXON), is a combination medication containing Clonazepam and Paroxetine. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine, and Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant.

1. What is CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB used for?

CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB is primarily used to manage depression and anxiety. It can also be prescribed for panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), certain phobias, and sometimes for fits (epilepsy), social anxiety disorder, and postmenopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

2. How does CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB work?

This medication combines two active ingredients. Clonazepam, a benzodiazepine, works by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger in the brain that helps to calm excessive nerve cell activity and induce calmness. Paroxetine, an SSRI antidepressant, functions by increasing the levels of serotonin, another chemical messenger in the brain, which improves mood, behavior, and helps prevent symptoms of depression.

3. What is the usual dosage for CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB?

The dosage of CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB is determined by your doctor based on your individual medical history, age, and condition. It is typically taken orally once daily, preferably with or after meals. It's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions exactly and not to increase the dose or stop the medication suddenly.

4. What are the possible side effects of CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB?

Common side effects may include headache, dizziness, tiredness, sleepiness, tremor, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, increased sweating, and weight gain. Some individuals may also experience sexual dysfunction, such as decreased sex drive or problems with erection or orgasm. More serious side effects, though less common, can include suicidal thoughts or behavior, worsening depression, severe muscle stiffness, shakiness, fever, chest pain, and signs of serotonin syndrome (agitation, confusion, hallucinations). If you experience any severe or worsening side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

5. Is CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the developing baby. It is considered highly unsafe in pregnancy. For breastfeeding mothers, it is probably unsafe, as limited human data suggests the drug may pass into breast milk and potentially harm the baby. Always consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.

6. Can CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB be taken with other medications?

It is essential to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and other prescribed medicines. CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB has significant interactions with certain medications. It should not be used with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of fatal reactions and serotonin syndrome. Other medications such as certain antidepressants (e.g., fluvoxamine, lithium, bupropion), linezolid, methylene blue, buspirone, dextromethorphan, haloperidol, thioridazine, pimozide, warfarin, and loop diuretics may also interact, potentially causing serious adverse effects.

7. What precautions should be taken while using CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB?

Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as it can significantly increase drowsiness and dizziness. Due to its potential to cause drowsiness and dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Do not stop taking the medicine abruptly, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Patients should be monitored for changes in mood or behavior, especially in the initial months of treatment, as it may increase suicidal thoughts. Caution is advised for individuals with liver, kidney, or heart conditions, diabetes, glaucoma, breathing problems, bleeding disorders, mania, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse. It is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to increased suicidal tendencies.

8. What happens if a dose of CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB is missed?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one, as this could lead to toxicity.

9. How should CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB be stored?

Store CLONOTRIL P 12.5MG TAB in its original packaging, tightly closed, in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.