Definition

A type of medication that belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, used to treat conditions like epilepsy and anxiety, and to help with sleep problems.

Example

The doctor prescribed clonazepam to help manage her seizures.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of clonazepam?

Yeah, I think it’s used for anxiety or something like that.

Right, it’s also prescribed for epilepsy sometimes.

That makes sense; I’ve read it can be really effective.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Clonazepam is derived from the components 'clon-' (from 'clonazepam' itself, indicating a derivative of benzodiazepine) and 'azepam' (a suffix used in the names of benzodiazepines, derived from 'diazepam', which is a combination of 'diazine' and 'pam', where 'pam' indicates a class of drugs). The word refers to a specific medication that belongs to the benzodiazepine class, used primarily for treating seizures and panic disorders.

Memory Tip

Think of 'clon-' as a part of the name indicating its relation to a specific class of drugs, and 'azepam' as a common suffix for benzodiazepines. This helps you remember that clonazepam is a medication related to the benzodiazepine family.

Visually Confused Words