With addiction, clonazepam is taken even if it causes harmful outcomes. Drowsiness or dizziness may last longer in older adults. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to clonazepam tablets. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of this drug with you. How clonazepam affects your body will depend on individual factors such as your age, overall health, and other medications you take. Taking clonazepam tablets may lead to some long-term side effects. Possible long-term side effects of the drug are described below. If you’d like to know more about using Klonopin instead of clonazepam oral tablets, talk with your doctor.

1. The brand-name medication that clonazepam oral tablets are based on is called Klonopin.
2. Flumazenil reverses slowed breathing and other sedating effects of clonazepam.
3. This list may not describe all possible interactions.
4. Taking clonazepam increases your risk for misuse and addiction.
5. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.
6. As a result, more of a drug stays in their body for a longer time.

These drugs have different active ingredients, uses, dosage forms, and strengths. For example, clonazepam and alprazolam have similar side effects, drug interactions, and warnings. For more information about clonazepam’s boxed warnings, see the “What are clonazepam tablets’ side effects?

They may prescribe them only for use as needed, not daily, and they may prescribe lower doses or pick benzodiazepines that aren’t as strong. Your healthcare provider can explain their recommendations for your treatment, including the timeline for which treatments you receive and why. It is critical that a person does not stop taking either drug suddenly. Doing so can lead to adverse effects, such as life threatening seizures, as well as withdrawal symptoms. It belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines. The pharmacodynamic properties of clonazepam are common among benzodiazepines and include anticonvulsive, sedative, muscle relaxing and anxiolytic effects 6,18,22,23.

Muscle Pain (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)

Their cumulative effect can result in sedation, severe respiratory depression, low blood pressure, and death. While using clonazepam, several precautions and monitoring are necessary. Older adults and children are especially prone to the adverse effects of clonazepam due to impaired or immature liver function. If you’re taking clonazepam for panic disorder, it will take about one hour to feel better. For seizures, it might take a few weeks for clonazepam to work fully.

As a result, more of a drug stays in their body for a longer time. Their doctor may start them on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in their body. Clonazepam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

Clonazepam can also treat seizures, whereas Xanax does not. Both drugs have their different off-label uses, which the sections below will look at in more detail. Both are short acting drugs, but clonazepam stays in the body for longer than Xanax. The half-life addressing unmet needs in opiate dependence of Xanax is 6–25 hours, while for clonazepam, it is 22–54 hours. This medication may cause accidental overdose and death if taken by other adults, children, or pets. Mix any unused medication with a substance like cat litter or coffee grounds.

This results in neuro inhibition (causing sleepiness, calmness, and muscle relaxation). Schedule I drugs are those with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. However, clonazolam is not under international control and can be bought online in many places as a designer drug.

So, to avoid withdrawal symptoms, you should consider a lower dose of the drug and never stop the drug abruptly. It is advised to gradually reduce the dose of the drug before stopping it completely. You shouldn’t drink alcohol if how family can play an important role in addiction recovery you’re taking benzodiazepines. Alcohol can interact with these drugs, causing dangerous side effects or complications. There may be other circumstances where you shouldn’t take benzodiazepines with certain foods or beverages.

Drugs & Supplements

If your healthcare provider prescribes one of these medications, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance, and take the medications exactly as prescribed. That way, you can benefit from these medications and reduce the risk of problems along the way. Clonazepam has a broad range of activities against different types of seizure disorders. However, it is not used as first-line therapy for these conditions. The medication can be used in patients resistant to standard treatment.

Find Another Drug

With long-term use, you may become physically dependent on clonazepam. To learn about dependence, see the “Boxed warnings” section directly above. Suddenly stopping clonazepam after you’ve been taking it for several weeks can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. Withdrawal from clonazepam can last from a few weeks to over 12 months. Misusing clonazepam means it’s taken differently than how your doctor prescribed it. (For example, it may be taken more often than prescribed.) Misuse of clonazepam increases the risk of overdose, and in some cases, death.

Your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you don’t work or drive right after you start taking benzodiazepines. You may be able to work or drive after you start taking them, depending on how these drugs affect you, the dose you take, how long the drugs last and other factors. A doctor or pharmacist should carefully monitor how a person uses benzodiazepines to manage the risk of dependence.

So be sure to ask your doctor if it’s safe to take clonazepam while you’re breastfeeding. They may discuss alternative ways to feed your child while you’re taking the drug. Clonazepam tablets may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take clonazepam. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of clonazepam tablets that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.