What is the most important information I should know about clonazepam?
Clonazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol.
MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.
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.
Get medical help right away if you stop using clonazepam and have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts about suicide.
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking clonazepam. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.
What is clonazepam?
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children.
Clonazepam is also used to treat panic disorder (including agoraphobia) in adults.
Clonazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonazepam?
You should not take clonazepam if you have:
- narrow-angle glaucoma;
- severe liver disease; or
- a history of allergic reaction to any benzodiazepine (clonazepam, alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, Valium, Xanax, Versed, and others).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney or liver disease;
- breathing problems;
- depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
- porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking clonazepam. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use clonazepam during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Do not start or stop seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Clonazepam may harm an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Preventing seizures may outweigh these risks. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Clonazepam is not approved to treat panic disorder in anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take clonazepam?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use clonazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a full glass of water.
Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.
Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.
Call your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your seizures or panic attacks.
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.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of clonazepam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking clonazepam?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
What are the possible side effects of clonazepam?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Clonazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication or alcohol. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- new or worsening seizures;
- severe drowsiness;
- weak or shallow breathing;
- unusual changes in mood or behavior;
- confusion, paranoia, nightmares, hallucinations;
- thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
- unusual or involuntary eye movements.
Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury.
Common side effects may include:
- drowsiness, dizziness;
- feeling tired or depressed;
- memory problems; or
- problems with walking or coordination.
After you stop using clonazepam, get medical help right away if you have symptoms such as: unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden and severe changes in mood or behavior, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, suicidal thoughts or actions.
Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer after stopping this medicine suddenly. Tell your doctor if you have ongoing anxiety, depression, problems with memory or thinking, trouble sleeping, ringing in your ears, a burning or prickly feeling, or a crawling sensation under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect clonazepam?
Using clonazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Other drugs may affect clonazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about clonazepam.
