What is Clonazepam?

Clonazepam belongs to benzodiazepines. Like other benzodiazepine drugs, Clonazepam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.

Clonazepam helps treat seizure disorders, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or absence seizures in adults and children. It also helps treat panic disorders such as agoraphobia in adults.

Important Information

Clonazepam can slow down or stop your breathing, especially if you have been using opioid medication, other drugs, or alcohol that can slow your breathing.

Misuse of drugs like Clonazepam can cause overdose, addiction, or death. Never share Clonazepam with someone else.

Some people have suicidal thoughts while taking Clonazepam. Stay alert to mood changes symptoms. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine, or you could have seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

What to know before taking Clonazepam?

You should avoid taking Clonazepam if you have:

• Severe liver disease;
• Narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• A past allergic reaction to any benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam, Ativan, lorazepam, Tranxene, Restoril, Versed, Valium, Xanax, and others).

To ensure that Clonazepam is safe for you, tell the medical health care provider if you have ever had:

• Breathing problems;
• Liver or kidney disease;
• Mood problems, depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
• Porphyria (a genetic enzyme condition that causes signs affecting the skin or nervous system).

Some people have suicidal thoughts while taking drugs for seizures. Your doctor should check your medical progress regularly. Your attendant or any family member should also be alert to your mood changes.

Using Clonazepam during pregnancy can make your baby drug-dependent. In addition, it can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after its birth.

Do not initiate or stop taking seizure drugs during pregnancy without consulting your doctor. A seizure during pregnancy is harmful to both mother and baby.

It is unsafe to breastfeed while taking Clonazepam. Talk to your doctor about risks.

Do not give Clonazepam to a child without medical consultation. Clonazepam is not under the recommendation to treat panic disorder in children younger than 18 years old.

How to take Clonazepam?

Take Clonazepam precisely as per the doctor’s prescription. Read carefully and follow all the instructions on the medication guide. Occasionally, your doctor may change your dose. Never take Clonazepam in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Never share a drug like Clonazepam with someone else, especially someone with a past of drug abuse or addiction. Misuse of medications like Clonazepam can cause overdose, addiction, or death.

You may need frequent medical tests while going through treatment with Clonazepam.

Do not suddenly stop using Clonazepam, even if you do not need this medicine anymore. Instead, take your doctor’s help to stop taking it safely.

Swallow the whole regular tablet with a full glass of water.

In children, the dose is weight-based. Therefore, your child’s dosage may need to change if the child gains or loses weight.

Store Clonazepam away from heat and moisture at room temperature.

Clonazepam dosage

Usual adult dosage for seizure prophylaxis:

• 1.5 mg orally every day into three separate doses; your doctor may increase it from 0.5 mg to one mg until the seizure controls adequately or until effects preclude any further increase.
• Maximum dose- 20 mg per day

Usual adult dosage for panic disorder:

• Initial dose- 0.25 mg orally twice a day
• Maintenance amount- 1 mg per day orally
• Maximum quantity- 4 mg per day

Usual pediatric dose for seizure prophylaxis:

• Up to 30 kg of body weight or ten years of age: 0.01 mg per kg per day orally in two to three divided doses. Maximum amount- 0.1 to 0.2 mg per kg daily
• Up to 10 years or older or 30 kg and over: 1.5 mg orally every day into three separate doses; your doctor may increase it from 0.5 mg to 1 mg until the seizure controls adequately or until effects preclude any further increase.
• Maximum dose- 20 mg per day

Overdose

Take emergency medical help or call the Poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms to Clonazepam may include confusion, extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, or coma.

What to avoid while using Clonazepam?

Consumption of alcohol can cause dangerous side effects, or death may occur.

Avoid driving any vehicle or performing any hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Drowsiness or dizziness may cause accidental falls or severe injuries.

Clonazepam side effects

Take medical help instantly if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction to Clonazepam, including trouble breathing, hives, swelling of your face, throat, lips, or tongue.

Clonazepam can slow down or stop your breathing, especially if you have been using opioid medication, other drugs, or alcohol that can slow your breathing.

Report any new, persisting, or worsening symptoms to your doctor such as:

• Anxiety,
• Mood swings or behavior changes,
• Trouble sleeping,
• Panic attacks, or
• If you feel irritable, impulsive, hostile, agitated, restless, aggressive,
• Hyperactive (physically or mentally),
• More depressed, or
• Or have thoughts or feeling about hurting yourself or suicide.

Call your medical healthcare professional immediately if you have:

• Severe drowsiness;
• New or worsening seizures;
• Unusual mood swings or behavior changes;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• Thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide;
• Hallucinations, nightmares; or
• Involuntary unusual eye movements

Common side effects to Clonazepam may include:

• Feeling depressed or tired;
• Dizziness, drowsiness;
• Problems with coordination or walking; or
• Memory problems

It is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Consult your doctor for medical advice regarding side effects. In addition, you may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What drugs can interact with Clonazepam?

Taking Clonazepam with other medications that slow down your breathing or make you sleepy can lead to dangerous side effects or death. Consult your doctor before taking a muscle relaxer, an opioid medicine, a sleeping pill, or medication for seizures or anxiety.

Tell your medical healthcare professional about all the other medicines you use, especially valproic acid and phenytoin.

It is not a complete list, and other drugs may also interact with Clonazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, herbal products, and vitamins.