Rivotril: What is it and what is it used for?

What is rivotril?

Rivotril® is the trademark of a synthetically manufactured medication that uses clonazepam as an active ingredient , a chemical compound that belongs to the line of psychotropic medications, with an effect on the central nervous system (CNS) .

To highlight: This pharmaceutical product is made by the company Productos Roche SA de CV (1)

What is rivotril used for?

• Thanks to the mechanism of action of its active ingredient, rivotril® acts as an agonist of brain benzodiazepine receptors , enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter effect of GABA as well as increasing serotonin synthesis, suppressing the spread of convulsive activity produced by an epileptic focus causing anticonvulsant, sedative, muscle relaxant and anxiolytic effects on the patient . (two)
• It is used to treat:
  • Panic disorder with and without agoraphobia.
  • Simple and social phobia.
  • The specific phobia.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder .
  • insomnia . _
  • Typical and atypical epilepsy. (3)
  • Absence seizures and atypical absences.
  • Myoclonic seizures and atonic seizures.
  • Infantile spasms as a second-line agent.
  • Tonic-clonic seizures, simple and complex partial seizures, and secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures as a third-line agent.

Dosage and routes of administration of rivotril

The presentation of rivotril® is in tablets of 0.5 mg to 2 mg, in oral suspension of 2.5 mg/1 ml and in injectable solution of 1 mg/1 ml containing clonazepam. The administration is according to the presentation, being by oral, intramuscular or slow intravenous route and the dosage as a reference may be as follows:

• Tablets: Children under 10 years of age, the initial dose is 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg daily, administered in 2 or 3 divided doses. The dose for adults should not exceed 1.5 mg/day, divided into 3 doses.
• Oral solution: Infants and children under 10 years of age, 0.01 to 0.03 mg per day per kg of weight and for adults 1.5 mg per day divided into 2 or 3 doses, according to the doctor’s instructions.
• Solution for injection: Infants and children under 10 years of age, a slow intravenous dose of half an ampoule (0.5 mg) as recommended by the doctor. For adults, a slow intravenous dose of one ampoule (1 mg) as recommended by the doctor.

side effects of rivotril

Therapeutic treatment with rivotril® can cause some of the following adverse effects in a certain patient population :

• Possible appearance of allergic reactions due to patient contact with any component of the formula.
• Urticaria, itching, skin rash, temporary hair loss, skin pigmentation changes .
• Sleep disorders , difficulties in psychomotor ability, hypotonia, muscle weakness.
• Dizziness, tiredness, ataxia.
• Nausea and epigastric discomfort.
• Headache , anterograde amnesia.
• Respiratory depression.
• Vision problems.
• Dependence and withdrawal syndrome .
• States of psychological depression .
• Risk of thrombophlebitis or thrombosis.
• Heart failure.

Important: If any of these symptoms or others that are not listed appear during treatment with this drug, please discontinue use and consult your doctor .

Contraindications and warnings of rivotril

Treatment with rivotril® is contraindicated in the following circumstances:

• Patient hypersensitivity to clonazepam or benzodiazepines.
• Patients with severe respiratory failure.
• People with severe liver disease or kidney failure.
• Severe liver disease.
• During the pregnancy period.
• During breastfeeding .

You should know: Before starting treatment with this medicine, the patient must provide all the information about his health history to his doctor.

Avoid if you have:

• History of hypersensitivity to the group of benzodiazepines.
• History of sleep apnea.

Warnings:

• Pharmaceutical products such as rivotril® must be administered with a prescription or prescription.
• Do not alter the recommended dose, to avoid any case of overdose of this medicine.
• Do not mix this product with beverages containing alcohol.
• Avoid driving vehicles or operating precision machinery during treatment with this drug.
• Prolonged use of this medicine can cause progressive and irreversible cognitive deterioration.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions.
• Keep this product out of the reach of children.