Klonopin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Klonopin Tablet (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine anticonvulsant used alone or with other medicines to treat certain seizure disorders in adults and children, and panic disorder, including panic disorder with agoraphobia, in adults. It is thought to work by boosting the activity of calming brain chemicals, helping reduce seizures and panic symptoms. It is available as a tablet and, in generic form, as an orally disintegrating tablet, and must be used exactly as prescribed due to risks of dependence and withdrawal.

What is Klonopin Tablet

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine medicine. It is used alone or with other medicines to treat certain seizure disorders in adults and children, and panic disorder (including with fear of open spaces) in adults.

Klonopin Tablet uses

• Treats certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children
• Treats panic disorder (including agoraphobia) in adults

Benefits of Klonopin Tablet

• Helps control seizures so they happen less often
• Helps reduce panic attacks and related symptoms

How Klonopin Tablet works

Klonopin is thought to work by boosting the activity of certain calming chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, which helps reduce seizures and panic symptoms.

Klonopin Tablet dosage

Take Klonopin exactly as your doctor prescribes and follow the directions on your prescription label. Never use it in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water; do not crush or chew it.

If using the generic orally disintegrating tablet, keep it in its blister pack until ready to use, peel back the foil with dry hands, place the tablet in your mouth, and let it melt; it can be taken with or without water.

If you only take one dose a day, take it at bedtime; if taking multiple doses a day, try to take them around the same times each day to keep a steady level of medicine in your body. Doses for children are based on body weight, and the dose may need to change if the child gains or loses weight.

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor first, since this can cause serious withdrawal problems. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not take two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Orally disintegrating tablet (generic clonazepam)

Side effects of Klonopin Tablet

Common

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Feeling tired or depressed
• Memory problems
• Problems with walking or coordination

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Slowed or stopped breathing, especially with opioids or alcohol; slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or being hard to wake up needs emergency care
• New or worsening seizures
• Severe drowsiness or weak/shallow breathing
• Unusual changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, feeling impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, or overly active or talkative
• Confusion, paranoia, nightmares, or hallucinations
• Thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• Unusual or involuntary eye movements
• Withdrawal symptoms after stopping, such as unusual muscle movements, being more active or talkative, sudden severe mood or behavior changes, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or suicidal thoughts

Warnings and precautions

• Klonopin can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that slow breathing. Misusing this medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep it where others cannot get it, and never share it with anyone else.
• Some people have thoughts of suicide while taking this medicine. Tell your doctor right away about any sudden mood or behavior changes, or thoughts of suicide.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without asking your doctor first. Stopping suddenly after long-term use can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and some withdrawal symptoms can last a year or longer.
• This medicine is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Keep it in a safe place, and never sell or give it away, as this is illegal and can harm others.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Using Klonopin during pregnancy could cause the baby to be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms needing medical treatment, and using it late in pregnancy may cause sedation-related problems in the baby such as breathing issues, sluggishness, and low muscle tone. Do not start or stop seizure medicine during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to. Clonazepam can pass into breast milk and may cause sleepiness, feeding problems, and slow weight gain in a nursing baby.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease before taking this medicine, as it may affect whether Klonopin is safe for you.
• You should not take Klonopin if you have severe liver disease. Tell your doctor about any liver problems before starting this medicine.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Klonopin. Combining alcohol with this medicine can cause dangerous side effects or death.
• Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how Klonopin affects you, since dizziness or drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents, or serious injuries.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light
• Store KLONOPIN between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Keep KLONOPIN and all medicines out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if, after stopping this medicine, you have unusual muscle movements, are unusually active or talkative, have sudden severe mood or behavior changes, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, or thoughts of suicide
• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• A caregiver should seek emergency help if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or are difficult to wake up
• If you think you have taken too much Klonopin, call your doctor or local poison control center right away, or seek emergency medical attention

Alternatives

• Alprazolam
• Lorazepam
• Temazepam