Clonazepam – Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and More

Uses

Clonazepam is a medication that can be taken to both stop and prevent seizures. Anticonvulsants and antiepileptic drugs are both terms that describe this type of therapy. Additionally, it is employed in the treatment of panic episodes. The effects of clonazepam include a calming of both the brain and the nerves. It is classified as a member of the benzodiazepine family of medications.

How to take clonazepam by mouth properly

Please also see the section labeled Warning.

Before beginning to take clonazepam, as well as whenever you get a refill on your prescription, be sure you have read the Patient’s Medication Guide issued by your pharmacist. If you have any questions, you should consult with either your physician or your pharmacist.

You should take this medication by mouth exactly as advised by your physician, which is typically two or three times each day.

Your medical condition, age, and how well you respond to treatment all play a role in determining the appropriate dosage for you. When it comes to youngsters, the dose is determined by the child’s weight as well. In order to reduce the likelihood of adverse effects, older persons typically begin treatment with a lower dose. Never take more of it, take it more frequently, or take it for a longer period of time than the label directs you to.

It is important to maintain consistent use of this drug in order to get the most out of it. Take it at the same time every day so that you don’t forget. This will assist.

It is important that you speak with your healthcare provider before discontinuing the use of this medicine. It is possible that certain conditions will become even more severe if you suddenly stop taking this medication. It’s possible that your current dose needs to be gradually lowered.

It is possible that the effectiveness of this drug will diminish after prolonged use. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice that this drug is no longer functioning well.

This prescription, despite the fact that it helps a large number of people, can sometimes lead to addiction. If you have a substance use disorder, such as excessive drug or alcohol use or addiction, your risk may be significantly increased for this condition. To reduce the likelihood of becoming addicted to this drug, it should be taken precisely as directed. Inquire with your primary care physician or your pharmacist for further information.

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When you initially begin taking clonazepam, you can notice an increase in the frequency or severity of your seizures if you have more than one type of seizure condition. Immediately make an appointment with your primary care physician if this occurs. In order to get the seizures under control, your doctor might need to increase or decrease the dosage of one of your other drugs.

If your situation does not improve or if it gets worse, you should consult your doctor.

Side Effects

There is a possibility that you will experience drowsiness, dizziness, weariness, loss of coordination, or increased saliva production. Notify your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is that he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.

People who use anticonvulsants for any illness (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, or pain) run the risk of developing depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or other mental or mood issues. This risk is especially high in children. Notify your physician as soon as possible if you or a member of your family or your caretaker observe any odd or unexpected changes in your behavior, thoughts, or mood, such as disorientation, memory problems, signs of depression, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or ideas about hurting yourself.

It is quite unusual for this medicine to cause an extremely severe allergic reaction. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you detect any symptoms of a significant allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may indicate anaphylaxis.

This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.

In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch to report any adverse effects.

In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.

Precautions

Inform your physician or pharmacist that you are allergic to clonazepam, as well as to any other benzodiazepines (such as diazepam or lorazepam), or if you have any additional allergies before beginning treatment with clonazepam. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive substances, which, if present, could result in allergic responses or other complications. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.

Before beginning treatment with this medication, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have: a specific type of eye condition (narrow-angle glaucoma), a specific blood disorder (porphyria), liver disease, kidney disease, lung/breathing problems, mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as excessive use of or addiction to drugs or alcohol).

This medication could cause you to feel lightheaded or sleepy. Drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (also known as cannabis) can make you feel more lightheaded and sleepy. Do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle, operate any machinery, or engage in any activity that requires attentiveness until you are able to do it safely. Steer clear of beverages containing alcohol. If you are a marijuana user, you should consult your primary care physician (cannabis).

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

For children, it is difficult to predict what the long-term impacts will be on their physical and mental, and behavioral development, and those effects might not become apparent for many years. Talk to your doctor about the potential drawbacks and upsides of receiving therapy with clonazepam.

The side effects of this medication, including drowsiness and disorientation, may be felt more acutely by people of advanced age. These adverse effects can increase the likelihood of experiencing a fall.

During pregnancy, it is important to only use this drug when it is absolutely necessary. It could cause harm to an unborn child. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you to do so. Untreated seizures are a serious disorder that can be harmful to both a pregnant woman and her unborn baby. If you are trying to conceive, become pregnant, or have any reason to believe that you may be pregnant, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible about the potential advantages and dangers of using this drug while you are pregnant.

This medication is excreted into breast milk and may have unintended consequences for an infant who is being breastfed. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Interactions

Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.

Orlistat and sodium oxybate are two examples of products that might cause an interaction when combined with this medication.

If this drug is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing issues, the chance of serious side effects (such as slow or shallow breathing, and severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased. These adverse effects include slow or shallow breathing, and severe drowsiness/dizziness.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including opioid pain relievers or cough relievers (such as codeine or hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol or cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines. These medications may interact with the effects of this medication (such as cetirizine, and diphenhydramine).

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You should read the labels on all of your medications (such as those meant to treat allergies or coughs and colds) since some of them may contain substances that make you feel sleepy. Talk to your local pharmacist about the proper way to use those products.

Overdose

Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control center. To reach the poison control center for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Extreme drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, and slowed or diminished reflexes are some of the symptoms that may accompany an overdose.

Notes

It is imperative that you do not provide this medication to anyone else. It is against the law to give it away.

Tests in the laboratory and/or examinations by a doctor (such as liver function tests and complete blood counts) should be carried out on a regular basis in order to track your improvement and identify any potential adverse reactions. Consult your doctor for additional details.

Neglected Dose

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realize you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.

Storage

Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.

Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighborhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.