Clonazepam (By mouth)
kloe-NAZ-e-pam
Treats seizures, panic disorder, and anxiety.
Drug classes
Antianxiety, Anticonvulsant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Clonazepam is used alone or together with other medicines to treat certain seizure (convulsive) disorders (e.g., Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic or myoclonic seizures). It is also used to treat panic disorder in some patients. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Disintegrating tablet: Dry your hands before you handle the tablet. Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some medicines can affect how clonazepam works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
Propantheline Theophylline Medicine to treat fungal infectionsDo not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use this medicine if you had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or to similar medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have severe liver disease or narrow-angle glaucoma.
Warnings
It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, or lung problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, depression, or mental illness.
This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself. Report any unusual thoughts or behaviors that trouble you, especially if they are new or getting worse quickly.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
This drug has a higher risk of overdose. Call your doctor if you have extreme dizziness or weakness, a slow heartbeat, or problems with coordination or memory.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Confusion, problems with coordination or memory
Depression, irritability, restlessness
Extreme tiredness or weakness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing or speaking
Seizure, tremors
Unusual behavior or thoughts of hurting yourself
Worsening seizures
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Drowsiness, tiredness
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Increased saliva
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Klonopin, Klonopin Wafers
There may be other brand names for this medicine.