Rivotril 2mg
Rivotril (Riv-oh-tril) is a medicine which is used in all forms of epilepsy. Rivotril contains clonazepam. It is supplied by Roche Products Limited.
The information in this Medicine Guide for Rivotril varies according to the condition being treated and the particular preparation used.
Your medicine
Rivotril is used to treat epilepsy. People with epilepsy are prone to having periods of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. These periods of uncontrolled electrical activity may lead to seizures. Rivotril helps to control electrical activity in the brain. This reduces the chances of having seizures.
Rivotril can also be given by injection to help stop a seizure which has already started.
Rivotril can cause tolerance, dependence and even withdrawal symptoms in some people and you must never stop taking it suddenly. If you need to stop taking Rivotril then it must be stopped gradually.
Other information about Rivotril:
- your doctor may start you on a low dose of this medicine and then increase the dose depending on how you respond to treatment
Do not share your medicine with other people. It may not be suitable for them and may harm them.
The pharmacy label on your medicine tells you how much medicine you should take. It also tells you how often you should take your medicine. This is the dose that you and your prescriber have agreed you should take. You should not change the dose of your medicine unless you are told to do so by your prescriber.
If you feel that the medicine is making you unwell or you do not think it is working, then talk to your prescriber.
Whether this medicine is suitable for you
Rivotril is not suitable for everyone and some people should never use it. Other people should only use it with special care. It is important that the person prescribing this medicine knows your full medical history.
Your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with special care or may not prescribe it at all if you:
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a bad reaction to benzodiazepines in the past
- are allergic or sensitive to or have had a reaction to any of the ingredients in the medicine
- are debilitated
- are elderly
- are in a coma
- are intoxicated with drugs or alcohol
- have abused alcohol in the past
- have ataxia
- have attempted suicide
- have galactose intolerance
- have glucose-galactose malabsorption problems
- have had a recent loss or bereavement
- have kidney problems
- have Lapp lactase deficiency
- have liver problems
- have lung or breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- have misused drugs in the past
- have myasthenia gravis
- have or have had depression
- have porphyria
- have sleep apnoea syndrome
Over time it is possible that Rivotril can become unsuitable for some people, or they may become unsuitable for it. If at any time it appears that Rivotril has become unsuitable, it is important that the prescriber is contacted immediately.