Klonopin generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Klonopin?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Klonopin?
• Klonopin (clonazepam) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Klonopin?
• Brand vs. generic Klonopin prices
• What are the off-label uses for Klonopin?
• How to switch from Klonopin to clonazepam

In this article

• Is there a generic for Klonopin?
• What are the differences between brand-name and generic Klonopin?
• Klonopin (clonazepam) warnings and side effects
• What is the price of generic Klonopin?
• Brand vs. generic Klonopin prices
• What are the off-label uses for Klonopin?
• How to switch from Klonopin to clonazepam

Klonopin is a type of brand-name prescription medication called a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines increase the effects of a specific neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA, which calms down the nervous system. Klonopin was approved in 1975 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in treating certain kinds of seizure disorders in adults and children, and panic disorder symptoms in adults. 

Although your insurance may cover this medication, some people need to pay out of pocket; using generic Klonopin can save you money on your prescription. Here’s what to know about generic clonazepam versus brand-name Klonopin.

Is there a generic for Klonopin?

The generic form of Klonopin is called clonazepam. It was approved by the FDA in 1998 and has since become more widely used than brand-name Klonopin, according to Bruce Bassi, MD, MS, an addiction psychiatrist with TelepsychHealth. That means it may be easier to fill a prescription for clonazepam versus Klonopin, your insurance may cover it without needing prior authorization, and your out-of-pocket costs for the drug will probably be lower.

As of 2022, almost 2 million people in the U.S. were taking Klonopin or its generic form, clonazepam.

What are the differences between brand-name and generic Klonopin?

If a generic drug has been FDA-approved, that means it’s bioequivalent to its brand-name drug: it contains the same active ingredients, and is equally safe and effective. However,  generic drugs can be manufactured by a number of different companies, often making them more accessible and often much cheaper. 

Appearance

Clonazepam is available in three different strengths: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg. Brand-name Klonopin is a round tablet with a cutout “K” in the center, in different colors that correspond with the dosage: The 0.5 mg tablet is orange, the 1 mg tablet is blue, and the 2 mg tablet is white.

There is less consistency with generic clonazepam tablets. Since they’re made by different manufacturers, the tablets come in a variety of colors, though they are generally round, solid tablets with score marks and other letters or numbers on them.

Effectiveness

In addition to being less expensive, generic drugs may have different inactive ingredients from their brand-name counterparts. While this often doesn’t make much difference for the people taking them, that’s not necessarily true for Klonopin and clonazepam.

“Some patients report subjective differences—such as changes in how quickly the medication takes effect or how long it lasts—potentially due to differences in inactive ingredients like binders, fillers, and dyes,” says Anoop Singh, MD, psychiatrist with Mindpath Health. “These differences are generally minor, but sensitive individuals, especially those on long-term benzodiazepines, may notice changes in symptom control.”

Although these differences are noted by individuals taking generic forms of Klonopin, no research or studies have found widespread differences between the generic and brand-name forms of this drug. 

Klonopin (clonazepam) warnings and side effects
	Klonopin (clonazepam)
Uses	Seizure disorders in adults and children Panic disorder in adults
Standard dosage	0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg tablets Seizure control, adults and children over 10 years of age: 1.5 mg to 20 mg daily, divided Seizure control, children under 10: 0.01 to 0.05 mg per kg of body weight per day, divided Panic disorder: 1 mg to 4 mg daily, divided
Common side effects	Drowsiness Dizziness Poor coordination Fatigue Depression Memory problems Brain fog Constipation Loss of appetite Blurred vision
Contraindications	Do not use if you are allergic or sensitive to clonazepam or other benzodiazepines Do not use if you have a history of severe liver disease Do not use if you have open-angle glaucoma
Other considerations	Taking clonazepam with opioids can cause dangerous symptoms, including extreme sedation, respiratory distress, and even death Clonazepam carries a risk of abuse or dependence, increased suicidal thoughts, and withdrawal with sudden discontinuation; always use this medication exactly as prescribed and talk to a healthcare provider before stopping

What is the price of generic Klonopin?

Klonopin and generic clonazepam are sometimes covered by insurance, but not always. Your insurer may require prior authorization or ask you to try other medications first. If your insurance doesn’t cover either version, there are still ways to access your medication. Opting for the generic form can help, and using a SingleCare coupon can make the medication even more affordable.

For example, without insurance, brand-name Klonopin costs about $112 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets, while generic clonazepam costs only $30 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets. But if you use your SingleCare card or coupon, you could pay $83 for Klonopin and $7 for clonazepam.  

Brand vs. generic Klonopin prices
	Brand-name Klonopin	Klonopin generic (clonazepam)
Average cost without insurance*	$112 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets	$30 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets
SingleCare’s lowest price*	$83 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets	$7 for 30, 0.5 mg tablets
Free coupons	Klonopin coupons	Clonazepam coupons

*Cost at time of publication. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location. 

What are the off-label uses for Klonopin? 

Dr. Singh says clonazepam is frequently prescribed off-label for other conditions, including some anxiety disorders. This can be beneficial, but it’s important to use clonazepam safely, including only taking the dosage prescribed to you for the length of time it’s prescribed, and only ever with medical supervision.

“Long-term use can increase the risk of dependence, cognitive impairment, and falls—especially in older adults—so off-label use should be closely monitored [by your provider],” Dr. Singh says.

Insomnia

Clonazepam has a sedating effect that lowers anxiety and promotes relaxation, which can be helpful in treating insomnia. It’s usually only recommended for short-term treatment of insomnia, though, because of its side effects (like grogginess) and potential for dependence.

Restless legs syndrome

Clonazepam is not recommended as a first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome. However, because clonazepam can help people fall asleep, it’s sometimes given to relieve symptoms of this condition. 

Acute mania

The way clonazepam works can be useful in treating manic episodes, especially in emergency situations. It may work better than other similar drugs, like lithium, and reduce the need for more serious antipsychotic drugs.

Anxiety disorders

Dr. Singh says clonazepam can be used to treat social anxiety disorder and symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because it calms the nervous system, it can be helpful in relieving sudden or severe anxiety symptoms, but clonazepam is not usually given as a first-line or singular treatment for anxiety disorder since other medications (like antidepressants) have a safer and more effective track record.

How to switch from Klonopin to clonazepam

“You probably don’t need to taper off brand-name Klonopin before switching to generic clonazepam as long as your dosage is staying the same,” Dr. Bassi says, adding that it’s uncommon for people to be prescribed the brand-name at all unless they’ve had an adverse reaction to the generic in the past. 

“The brand-name is more expensive, so more than likely your insurance will require your provider to do a prior authorization [if you can’t take the generic],” he explains. “Your prescription will have to be for brand-name Klonpin and say ‘Dispense as Written’ for the pharmacy to fill it with the brand-name.”

As we noted, some people are sensitive to the inactive ingredients in the generic forms of clonazepam, which could make switching from brand-name to generic (or even from one generic form to another) more noticeable. Even though the medications are pharmacologically equivalent, says Dr. Singh, some sensitive patients may notice differences in how they feel.

During the transition, he suggests:

• Making the switch under your prescriber’s guidance
• Keeping track of any new or returning symptoms in the first two weeks
• Avoiding other simultaneous medication changes 
• Being especially cautious if you’re on long-term or high-dose benzodiazepine therapy because abrupt changes can destabilize your mood or make it harder to control your anxiety 

Most importantly, you should never stop taking clonazepam suddenly or begin tapering your dose without your provider’s guidance. Clonazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, and sudden discontinuation—especially after regular use—can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, tremors, irritability, nausea, and, in severe cases, seizures, according to Dr. Singh. 

Bottom line

Klonopin is a brand-name benzodiazepine that helps control certain types of seizures in adults and children, and panic disorder in adults. Its generic version is clonazepam, which is also approved for the same use and is widely prescribed in place of the brand name because it is less expensive.. Although both the brand-name and generic forms contain the same active ingredient and are considered equally safe and effective, some people are sensitive to minor differences in inactive ingredients. If you are switching from brand-name to generic Klonopin, you should monitor your symptoms closely.

It’s also important to remember that clonazepam is a controlled substance with the potential for abuse and dependence, especially with high doses and long-term use. Only use this medication exactly as prescribed and never stop or taper your dose without talking to your provider.