What is Clonazepam? Uses, warnings & side effects

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

This medication is required by law to include a medication guide. It contains important information you should know. Please read this guide before taking clonazepam.

Do not stop taking clonazepam suddenly. Doing so may cause serious side effects. If the medicine does not seem to work or side effects are a problem, get medical advice from the prescribing healthcare provider about discontinuing this medication.

How to take clonazepam tablets

• Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

How to take clonazepam orally disintegrating tablets

• Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. 

• Do not remove a tablet from the blister pack until you’re ready to take the tablet.

• Be careful opening the blister pack. Don’t push the tablet through the foil, but instead, tear the foil and gently remove the tablet from the blister pack.

• Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve.

Store clonazepam tablets or orally disintegrating tablets at room temperature in a child-proof, closed container out of the reach of children.

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.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use it if you have:

• Severe liver disease

• Narrow-angle glaucoma

• Had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or similar medicines called benzodiazepines.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will regularly check in with you and do lab tests to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Too much of this medicine can be fatal. Get emergency medical care if too much clonazepam is taken. Symptoms of an overdose include extreme dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.

Clonazepam can cause physical dependency and become habit-forming. When clonazepam is taken inappropriately, overdose and death are possible. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or take clonazepam for longer than prescribed. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• Liver disease

• Kidney disease

• Lung or breathing problems such as COPD or sleep apnea

• Glaucoma

• Porphyria

• A history of depression, mood problems, other mental health problems, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell the doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

It may not be safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.

Tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Clonazepam can make a nursing infant sleepy or less willing to feed.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that’s risky until you know how this medicine affects you.

Clonazepam is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.

Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep clonazepam securely out of the reach of children.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking clonazepam.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Taking clonazepam along with opioids can cause serious problems including slowed breathing, coma, and death.

Because clonazepam has sedative effects, it can cause excessive sleepiness, impairment, and even slowed breathing when combined with other drugs that cause sleepiness including other benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antihistamines, or alcohol. 

Do not drink alcohol when taking clonazepam.

Before taking clonazepam, tell the prescribing doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• Mental health medications 

• Seizure medications

• A type of drug called MAO inhibitors (MAOIs)

• Other anti-seizure drugs including carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital

• Oral drugs that treat fungal infections

• Phenothiazine drugs