Klonopin
"What are benzodiazepines, and how do they work?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs primarily used for treating anxiety, but they also are effective in treating several other conditions. The exact mechanism of action of benzodiaz"...
Klonopin
Klonopin Side Effects Center
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Klonopin (Clonazepam) is a medication that belongs to the drug class benzodiazepine. Klonopin is available as a generic drug, and is prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and seizure disorders. Common side effects of Klonopin include sedation, dizziness, weakness, unsteadiness, depression, loss of orientation, headache, and sleep disturbances.
Klonopin dose depends on the condition being treated and how the patient responds. Drug interactions include alcohol, barbiturates, and narcotics. Klonopin use during pregnancy may cause adverse effects in the fetus and it is secreted in breast milk. If Klonopin is discontinued abruptly after long term use, it may lead to seizures, tremors, muscle cramping, vomiting, and/or sweating.
Our Klonopin Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Patient Information in Detail?
Easy-to-read and understand detailed drug information and pill images for the patient or caregiver from Cerner Multum.
Klonopin in Detail - Patient Information: Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, or if you feel agitated, irritable, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
- unusual risk-taking behavior, no fear of danger;
- weak or shallow breathing;
- unusual or involuntary eye movements;
- pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
- painful or difficult urination, urinating less than usual;
- pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding; or
- new or worsening seizures.
Less serious side effects may include:
- drowsiness, dizziness, problems with thinking or memory;
- tired feeling, muscle weakness, loss of balance or coordination;
- slurred speech, drooling or dry mouth, sore gums;
- runny or stuffy nose;
- loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
- blurred vision;
- headache;
- sleep problems (insomnia);
- skin rash; or
- weight changes.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Klonopin (Clonazepam) »
What is Patient Information Overview?
A concise overview of the drug for the patient or caregiver from First DataBank.
Klonopin Overview - Patient Information: Side Effects
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
A small number of people who take anticonvulsants for any condition (such as seizures, bipolar disorder, pain) may experience depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, or other mental/mood problems. Tell your doctor right away if you or your family/caregiver notice any unusual/sudden changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, including: confusion, memory problems, signs of depression, suicidal thoughts/attempts, thoughts about harming yourself.
Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Read the entire patient information overview for Klonopin (Clonazepam)»
What is Prescribing information?
The FDA package insert formatted in easy-to-find categories for health professionals and clinicians.
Klonopin FDA Prescribing Information: Side Effects
(Adverse Reactions)
SIDE EFFECTS
During controlled clinical studies in which 1076 patients received Restoril at bedtime, the drug was well tolerated. Side effects were usually mild and transient. Adverse reactions occurring in 1% or more of patients are presented in the following table:
| Restoril % Incidence (n=1076) |
Placebo % Incidence (n=783) |
|
| Drowsiness | 9.1 | 5.6 |
| Headache | 8.5 | 9.1 |
| Fatigue | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Nervousness | 4.6 | 8.2 |
| Lethargy | 4.5 | 3.4 |
| Dizziness | 4.5 | 3.3 |
| Nausea | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Hangover | 2.5 | 1.1 |
| Anxiety | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Depression | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| Dry Mouth | 1.7 | 2.2 |
| Diarrhea | 1.7 | 1.1 |
| Abdominal Discomfort | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Euphoria | 1.5 | 0.4 |
| Weakness | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| Confusion | 1.3 | 0.5 |
| Blurred Vision | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Nightmares | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| Vertigo | 1.2 | 0.8 |
The following adverse events have been reported less frequently (0.5% to 0.9%):
Central Nervous System - anorexia, ataxia, equilibrium loss, tremor, increased dreaming
Cardiovascular - dyspnea, palpitations
Gastrointestinal - vomiting
Musculoskeletal - backache
Special Senses - hyperhidrosis, burning eyes
Amnesia, hallucinations, horizontal nystagmus, and paradoxical reactions including restlessness, overstimulation and agitation were rare (less than 0.5%).
Drug Abuse And Dependence
Abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. Abuse is characterized by misuse of the drug for non-medical purposes, often in combination with other psychoactive substances. Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug and/or administration of an antagonist. Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drug's effects over time. Tolerance may occur to both the desired and undesired effects of drugs and may develop at different rates for different effects.
Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Drug addiction is a treatable disease, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, but relapse is common.
Controlled Substance
Restoril is a controlled substance in Schedule IV.
Abuse and Dependence
Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal, and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating), have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines. The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms (e.g., dysphoria and insomnia) have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months. Consequently, after extended therapy at doses higher than 15 mg, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided and a gradual dosage tapering schedule followed. As with any hypnotic, caution must be exercised in administering Restoril to individuals known to be addiction-prone or to those whose history suggests they may increase the dosage on their own initiative. It is desirable to limit repeated prescriptions without adequate medical supervision.
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Klonopin (Clonazepam) »
Additional Klonopin Information
Klonopin - User Reviews
Klonopin User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Klonopin sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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