Clonazepam (
Klonopin®) is a prescription medication approved to treat the following conditions:
- Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy)
- Akinetic seizures (also known as atonic seizures), which are characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing "drop attacks"
- Myoclonic seizures, which are characterized by sudden, brief muscle jerks
- Absence seizures, which are characterized by brief periods of decreased awareness or "spacing out."
It is currently made by Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
Clonazepam is part of a group of medications called benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines have various effects on the body, including:
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Relaxing muscles
- Stopping seizures
- Impairing short-term memory.
All benzodiazepines can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific benzodiazepine that is being taken. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why clonazepam and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
When and How to Take Clonazepam
Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:
- Clonazepam comes in the form of tablets and wafers (orally disintegrating tablets). The drug is taken by mouth, usually two or three times daily.
- The wafers will rapidly dissolve in your mouth, without any need for water.
- The medication can be taken with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Clonazepam may cause serious problems if you take it in higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Klonopin Addiction).
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your clonazepam dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with clonazepam. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Drowsiness
- Coordination problems
- Behavior problems.
(Click Clonazepam Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider. You can also read about other possible side effects by going to:
Drug Interactions With Clonazepam
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
- Glaucoma
- A history of drug or alcohol abuse
- Depression
- Breathing problems
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much clonazepam may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Coma
- Slow reflexes.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your clonazepam as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Clonazepam wafers (orally disintegrating tablets) are available in the following strengths:
- Clonazepam 0.125 mg wafers
- Clonazepam 0.25 mg wafers
- Clonazepam 0.5 mg wafers
- Clonazepam 1 mg wafers
- Clonazepam 2 mg wafers.
Is There a Generic Version of Clonazepam?
Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of the drug are licensed for sale
(see Generic Klonopin).
