What is Clonazepam?
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen). It is believed that benzodiazepines enhance the neurotransmitters active within the brain.
Clonazepam is a medication used to treat certain seizures (including absent seizures or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome) in adults and children.
Clonazepam can also treat anxiety disorders (including agoraphobia) in adults.
Warnings
Clonazepam can reduce or stop breathing, especially if you've recently consumed an opioid, alcohol, opioid medication, or any other substances that could reduce your breathing.
MISUSE OF CLONAZEPAM CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Make sure to keep your medication safe in a secure location where no one else can access it. Do not share Clonazepam with anyone else. Selling or giving the medicine away is a violation of the law.
Certain people are prone to thoughts of suicide when they are taking Clonazepam. Inform your doctor immediately in the event of sudden changes in your mood and behaviour. You may also have if you have thoughts about suicide.
Get medical assistance immediately If you stop taking Clonazepam or have any of the symptoms such as strange muscle movements, becoming more talkative or active abrupt and extreme changes in your mood or behaviour or mood, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts of suicide.
Do not stop taking Clonazepam without consulting your physician. There is a risk of dangerous withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly quit the medication after long-term usage. The withdrawal symptoms can last for 12 months or more.
Before you Take this Drug
It is not recommended to take Clonazepam in case you are allergic to it or if you suffer from:
- Narrow-angle glaucoma;
- Liver disease that is severe or
- A history of an allergic reaction to benzodiazepines (including diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam Valium, Xanax, Versed and many others).
To ensure this medication is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you've any of the following:
- The liver or kidneys are infected;
- Breathing issues;
- Depression mood issues or suicidal thoughts, behaviours or
- Porphyria (a genetic disorder of enzymes that results in symptoms affecting the nervous system or skin).
Many people are contemplating suicide when taking Clonazepam. Keep an eye on fluctuations in your mood or the symptoms. Family members or caregivers must also be on the lookout for abrupt changes in your behaviour.
Inform your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to be pregnant. If you take the drug clonazepam while pregnant, your baby could be born with withdrawal symptoms that could be life-threatening and may require medical treatment for some time.
Do not begin or stop medication for seizures during pregnancy without seeking your physician's approval. Clonazepam may harm the unborn child, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the baby and the mother. The benefits of preventing seizures could outweigh the risk factors. Talk to your doctor as soon as you discover that you are pregnant.
Check with your doctor to see whether it is safe to breastfeed while taking this medication.
Don't give the medication to children without obtaining medical guidance. Clonazepam does not have the approval for treating anxiety disorder in children who are younger than.
How to Take Clonazepam?
Follow the exact dosage as recommended by your physician. Follow the instructions on the label of your prescription and study all the medication guidelines. Your doctor might modify your dose. Do not take this medication in greater amounts or longer than the prescribed time. Inform your doctor if you strongly urge to take more of this medication.
Do not share this medication with someone you know, particularly those with a history of substance abuse or addiction. Misusing the medicine can lead to addiction, overdose, or even death. Place the medicine in a location where other people cannot access it. The selling or distribution of this medication is against the law.
Be sure to read and adhere to any Instructions for Use included with your medicine. If you are unsure of the instructions, talk to your pharmacist or doctor for clarification.
You'll need to take frequent medical examinations.
Don't stop taking the drug abruptly, even if you feel fine. The abrupt stop can cause anxiety or uncomfortable withdrawal signs. Follow the instructions of your physician when the process of tapering your dose.
Suck the normal tablet entirely, and drink an entire glass of water.
The weight of children determines clonazepam doses. Your child's dosage requirements could alter if your child loses or gains weight.
Take the tablet that dissolves orally from the packaging only after consuming the medication. Put the tablet in your mouth and let it dissolve without chewing. Drink several times until the tablet disintegrates.
Your doctor should monitor your health regularly.
Consult your doctor if the medicine isn't functioning as well when treating those with seizures, as well as the attack of panic.
Seizures are usually treated using the use of a mixture of medications. Follow all medication as recommended by your physician. Take note of the medication guide or patient's directions included with every medication. Don't alter your doses or medication schedule without a physician's guidance.
Keep at room temperature, free of heat, moisture and light. Be aware of the medication you are taking. Knowing that someone is taking it incorrectly or without a prescription is important.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
You should take the medication as quickly as possible but do not take any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact for help at the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222. A clonazepam overdose can cause death when taken with alcohol, opioid medication or any other drug that can induce drowsiness or slow your breathing.
Overdose symptoms can include severe sleepiness, confusion, weakness, or coma.
Avoid this
Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand what effects Clonazepam can have on you. Dizziness or drowsiness may result in accidents, falls, or serious injuries.
Side Effects of Clonazepam
Contact a medical professional immediately If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction to Clonazepam, such as Hives and breathing problems or breathing; swelling of your lips, face tongue, throat, or face.
Clonazepam can slow or even stop your breathing, particularly if you've recently consumed alcohol or an opioid drug. Anyone caring for you should seek immediate medical treatment if you suffer from slow breathing, with pauses for a long time or blue-coloured lips or if you find it difficult to get up.
Inform your doctor immediately in the event of any abrupt or new changes in your mood or behaviour, such as more or worse depression, anxiety or panic attacks or trouble sleeping, or when you feel insanity, angry, frustrated and aggressive, inactive, and talkative or thoughts of taking your own life or hurting yourself.
Contact your doctor immediately If you suffer from the following:
- New or worsening seizures;
- Severe drowsiness;
- Breath that is weak or sluggish;
- Strange changes in behaviour or mood
- Confusion, paranoia, nightmares, hallucinations;
- Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself
- Abnormal or involuntary eye movements.
Dizziness or drowsiness can persist for longer for older people. Take care to avoid falling or injury that is accidental.
Common side effects from Clonazepam be:
- Drowsiness, dizziness;
- Being depressed or tired;
- Memory issues or
- Issues with walking or coordination.
After stopping using Clonazepam, seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms like abnormal movements in your muscles, becoming more talkative or active abrupt and drastic changes in your mood or behaviour such as hallucinations, confusion or seizures, suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
Some patients' withdrawal symptoms can last for 12 months or more following discontinuing this medication abruptly. Consult your physician when you experience ongoing depression, anxiety and memory problems, as well as sleeping problems or sleeping, ear ringing and a burning or prickly sensation, or a creeping sensation in your skin.
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Utilizing Clonazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or cause breathing problems can result in dangerous adverse effects or even deaths. Ask your doctor before taking opioids or a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine to treat seizures or anxiety.
Other drugs can interfere with Clonazepam. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about any other medications you take.
