Author: Alex Thompson
Clonazepam Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing
Your doctor may need to add or adjust the dose of your other medications to control the seizures. Clonazepam is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This type of drug can slow down the brain’s activity and interfere with a person’s judgment, thinking, and reaction time.
- If their symptoms are severe, they should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
- They belong to the same group of drugs called benzodiazepines, and they work in similar ways.
- Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
- (For example, it may be taken more often than prescribed.) Misuse of clonazepam increases the risk of overdose, and in some cases, death.
- Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of this drug with you.
- Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. It belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Do not stop using clonazepam without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine suddenly after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer. Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness.
These drugs have different active ingredients, uses, dosage forms, and strengths. For example, clonazepam and alprazolam have similar side effects, drug interactions, and warnings. Clonazepam doesn’t come in other strengths, such as 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg or higher. So if you’re prescribed these doses of the drug, your doctor or pharmacist will explain how to take your dose. It also comes as orally disintegrating tablets that rapidly dissolve in your mouth.
Questions about clonazepam tablet dosing
A person should not drink alcohol or use other drugs that can also slow down their brain’s activity while they are taking this medication. They also shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness until they know how this drug affects them. If a person thinks they have taken too much of this drug, they should call their doctor or local poison control center. If their symptoms are severe, they should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.
This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Mar 2024) and others. The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
Instead, use dry hands to peel back the foil packaging. Immediately take out the tablet and place it in your mouth. The tablet will quickly dissolve and can be swallowed with or without liquid. You may report side effects to FDA at FDA-1088 or at /medwatch. Keep your medication in a safe place to protect it from theft. Selling or giving away this medication is dangerous and against the law.
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. It works by helping your nervous system calm down. It belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that works in the brain to prevent seizures.
Your doctor can tell you more about these precautions for the drug’s use. Clonazepam and alprazolam have different active ingredients, dosage forms, strengths, and uses. But both drugs have similar side effects, drug interactions, and warnings. In fact, clonazepam has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse. Boxed warnings are the most serious type of warning about a drug from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Common side effects
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 2 or 3 times daily. Do not stop taking except on your care team’s advice. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Talk to your care team regarding the use of this medication in children.
Clonazepam side effects
Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. MISUSE OF CLONAZEPAM CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). It is thought that benzodiazepines work by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so.
This drug should only be used during pregnancy if its benefits outweigh its risks. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or become pregnant while taking the drug. Clonazepam tablets may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health.
Clonazepam was approved in the United States as a generic drug in 1997 and is now manufactured and marketed by several companies. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means a doctor will need to get approval from a person’s insurance company before the insurance company will pay for the prescription.
Side Effects
(For example, it may be taken more often than prescribed.) Misuse of clonazepam increases the risk of overdose, and in some cases, death. Serious side effects from clonazepam tablets can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from clonazepam tablets, call your doctor right away. Like most drugs, clonazepam tablets may cause mild and serious side effects.