Rivotril is a trademarked form of clonazepam, one of the many prescription medications classified as benzodiazepines. In America, the same medication is better known under a second trademarked name: Klonopin. Clonazepam is most commonly used as a treatment for seizure disorders. However, your doctor may also prescribe it to you if you’re affected by certain anxiety disorders. When taking the medication, it’s useful to consult a guide to Rivotril abuse and addiction. That’s true because excessive clonazepam use can lead to both of these serious issues.
Using Rivotril for Anxiety Disorder Treatment
Rivotril/Klonopin is approved as a treatment for one specific anxiety-related condition: panic disorder. People affected by this disorder experience recurring panic attacks. In the midst of such an attack, you may experience symptoms such as:
- A feeling that danger or doom is near
- Fear of either dying or losing control
- Throat tightness
- Shortness of breath
- A pounding, accelerated heartbeat
- Chills
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Lightheadedness
As a rule, these bouts of panic are unpredictable. Fear of this unpredictability is often extreme. In response to it, you may avoid anything that could trigger another attack.
Some people with panic disorder also have agoraphobia. This is the term for the intense fear of leaving any environment you view as safe. Rivotril can help whether or not your panic disorder is accompanied by agoraphobia. You may also receive it if you’re affected by other anxiety-based conditions. For example, it’s sometimes used to treat social anxiety disorder.
Rivotril Benefits for Anxiety – How the Medication Works
What explains Rivotril’s benefits for anxiety treatment? The answer to this question lies in your brain and spinal cord, i.e., your central nervous system (CNS). When you take Rivotril, it acts as a CNS depressant. In other words, it triggers a drop in the normal activity inside your brain and spinal cord. In turn, this drop makes your brain and body work slower than usual.
Affected aspects of mental function include your thoughts and emotions. Affected physical structures include your muscles and your lungs. When slowdowns occur in these areas, the end result is often a greater sense of relaxation. This relaxation provides a treatment benefit by making you feel less anxious and more at ease.
What Are the Short- and Long-Term Effects of Rivotril?
The use of Rivotril for anxiety disorders comes with a risk of short-term side effects. Many of these side effects aren’t a major concern unless they grow worse or fail to fade away. However, others are immediate signs of danger whenever they occur. Rivotril effects in this second category include:
- Breathing problems
- Swelling in your throat, lips, face, tongue, or eyes
- Problems swallowing or breathing
- Hives
- Rash
- A hoarse voice
Rivotril is only meant for short-term use. That’s true because longer-term use comes with its own set of serious risks. One such risk is the possibility of becoming addicted to Rivotril. You may also experience debilitating symptoms of non-addicted Rivotril abuse. Other potential risks include depression and memory problems. Rivotril may also start increasing your anxiety levels rather than decreasing them.
Learn More About the Pros and Cons of Rivotril for Anxiety at Women’s Recovery
Rivotril is beneficial as a treatment for certain forms of anxiety. However, its use also comes with some notable risks. Want to find out more about the short- and long-term effects of Rivotril? Talk to the experts at Women’s Recovery.
Women’s Recovery is also your source of treatment for Rivotril addiction. Every day, we help women affected by this condition or other benzodiazepine-related problems. Want to learn more about our gender-specific services? Just call us today at 833.754.0554 or complete our online form. We’re standing by with the information you need.
