Clonazepam, which is a
benzodiazepine structurally related to
chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride,
diazepam and
nitrazepam, has been available for the treatment of
seizure disorders in the USA since 1976 and in Japan since 1981. Recently,
clonazepam has attracted interest as
drug for the treatment of
manic-depressive psychosis. Chouinard et al (1983), Victor et al (1984), Freinhar and Alvarez (1985) and Santos and Morton (1987) have reported on the antimanic properties of
clonazepam, and Jones and Chouinard (1985), Zetine and Freedman (1986), Mas et al (1993) and Kishimoto et al(1987) have reported on the antidepressive properties of
clonazepam. We have observed the antimanic and antidepressive properties of
clonazepam as well.
Clonazepam is a useful therapeutic adjunct and the onset of its effect is rapid. We cannot, however, advocate the use of only the therapeutic agent for amelioration of
manic-depressive psychosis.
Clonazepam is a useful supplement and has a diverse optimum daily dose for acute manic and depressive states.
Clonazepam should, at the time, be considered only as an alternative treatment for patients nonresponsive to conventional
therapy, and should be used at a dosage of 3-6 mg/day for depressive state and 10 mg/day for acute
manic state in combination with other
psychotropic drugs.