• Basic Info
• Top Questions
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What is clonazepam?
Clonazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Clonazepam affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause seizures or symptoms of panic disorder. Clonazepam is used to treat seizures and panic disorder. Clonazepam may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of clonazepam?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking clonazepam and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, face, or tongue; or hives);

• worsening seizures;

• yellowing of the skin or eyes;

• hallucinations or severe confusion; or

• changes in vision.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take clonazepam and talk to your doctor if you experience

• drowsiness, or dizziness;

• increased salivation (watering of the mouth);

• poor coordination;

• nervousness;

• depression; or

• constipation.

Clonazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking clonazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take clonazepam?
Take clonazepam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each regular oral tablet with a full glass of water. Swallow the tablet whole. The clonazepam orally-disintegrating tablets (Klonopin Wafers) can be taken without water. Using dry hands, peel back the foil on blister. Do not push tablet through the foil as this may damage the tablet. Immediately upon opening the blister, remove the tablet and place it on the tongue. The tablet must be taken immediately after opening the blister and not saved for later use. The tablet will disintegrate rapidly in the mouth and can be easily swallowed with or without liquid.

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What is the most important information I should know about clonazepam?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Clonazepam will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking clonazepam. Alcohol may also increase the risk of having a seizure. Clonazepam may be habit forming. Physical and/or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment. Do not stop taking clonazepam suddenly without first talking to your doctor if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect clonazepam?
Clonazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness or dizziness, including alcohol, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other seizure medicines, pain relievers, antidepressants, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and others. Do not drink alcohol and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor while taking clonazepam. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with clonazepam. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Clonazepam has not been formally assigned to a pregnancy category. An increased risk of congenital malformations in humans has been associated with use of all known anticonvulsant agents in the treatment of women with epilepsy. However, epilepsy itself may be associated with an increased risk of congenital malformations. Additionally, use of other benzodiazepines is associated with an increased risk in congenital malformations. Only very limited experience with the use of clonazepam during pregnancy has been reported. Some reports have suggested that clonazepam may possess less teratogenic potential than other anticonvulsants and benzodiazepines, however, there are no controlled data in human pregnancy. One report has indicated that clonazepam may cause neonatal apnea. Clonazepam should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

Physicians are encouraged to register patients before fetal outcome is known (e.g., ultrasound, results of amniocentesis, etc) into the Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry at 1-888-233-2334 or 1-888-AED-AED4. This is an ongoing study at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. This study is designed to monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antiepileptic drugs in order to determine which therapies are associated with increased risk.

Clonazepam is excreted into human milk in small amounts. No adverse effects have been reported in nursing infants, but experience is quite limited. The American Academy of Pediatrics has no position on the use of clonazepam during breast-feeding but describes other benzodiazepines as drugs "whose effect on nursing infants is unknown but may be of concern".

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to clonazepam or other benzodiazepines.
• Clinical or biochemical evidence of substantial hepatic impairment.
• Manufacturer states that clonazepam is contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma but may be administered to patients with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy; however, clinical rationale for this contraindication has been questioned.

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What does my medication look like?
Clonazepam is available with a prescription under the brand name Klonopin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Klonopin 0.5 mg--orange, round tablets with a "K" shaped perforation Klonopin 1 mg--blue, round tablets with a "K" shaped perforation Klonopin 2 mg--white, round tablets with a "K" shaped perforation Klonopin Wafers 0.125 mg-white, round tablets Klonopin Wafers 0.25 mg-white, round tablets

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Symptoms of a clonazepam overdose may include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and unconsciousness.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonazepam?
Do not take clonazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Clonazepam may worsen this condition. Before taking this medication, talk to your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory disease; or are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. You may not be able to take clonazepam, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Clonazepam is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that it is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take clonazepam without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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