Klonopin Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others

Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Klonopin. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Klonopin for you. These are known as contraindications. The list below includes contraindications of Klonopin.

If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma. Klonopin can increase the pressure in your eye. If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma, taking Klonopin could make the condition worse. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Klonopin. Ask them what other medications may be more suitable for you.

If you have severe liver disease. Klonopin is broken down by your liver. If you have severe liver disease, such as liver failure, Klonopin could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of Klonopin side effects. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Klonopin. Ask them what other medications may be more suitable for you.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction. Klonopin is part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Klonopin, any of its ingredients, or other benzodiazepines, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. Examples of other benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan). Your doctor will discuss with you other treatments that may be better options.

Before you start taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor if any of the factors above apply to you. Your doctor can determine whether Klonopin is safe for you to take.

Before you start taking Klonopin, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The chart below lists drugs that may interact with Klonopin. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that could interact with Klonopin. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section below.

* Klonopin has a boxed warning for this interaction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of the article.

Yes, Klonopin does interact with alcohol. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol with Klonopin because the combination can have dangerous effects.

Both Klonopin and alcohol can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression (slowed activity in your brain and spinal cord). As a result, drinking alcohol with Klonopin can cause:

• extreme sleepiness
• memory loss
• coordination problems
• respiratory depression (breathing that’s slow and shallow and may even stop)
• coma

Drinking alcohol with Klonopin can also raise your risk of Klonopin misuse.* (Misuse means taking a drug in a way or for a purpose that’s not prescribed by a doctor.) This could lead to overdose and even be fatal.

If you have questions or concerns about alcohol and Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

* Klonopin has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of the article.

Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Klonopin.

Interaction with opioids

Klonopin may interact with opioids, as described below. Opioids are drugs related to the opium poppy. They include strong prescription pain relievers, the illegal drug heroin, and certain drugs used to treat opioid dependence.

* Klonopin has a boxed warning for this interaction. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of the article.

Interaction with certain antidepressants

Klonopin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). This interaction is described below.

Interaction with stimulants

Klonopin can interact with stimulants, as described below. Stimulants are medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and binge eating disorder.

* Klonopin has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of the article.

Klonopin may have other interactions. They could occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. See below for details.

Does Klonopin interact with supplements?

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Before you start taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Klonopin and herbs

There are currently no reports of Klonopin interacting with herbs. But this does not mean that interactions with herbs will not be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Klonopin treatment.

Klonopin and vitamins

There are currently no reports of Klonopin interacting with vitamins. But this does not mean that vitamin interactions will not be recognized in the future.

For this reason, it’s still important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Klonopin treatment.

Does Klonopin interact with food?

There are currently no reports of Klonopin interacting with food. If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

Does Klonopin interact with vaccines?

There are currently no reports of Klonopin interacting with vaccines. But it’s still important to check with your doctor before getting vaccines while taking Klonopin.

Does Klonopin interact with lab tests?

There are no specific reports of Klonopin interacting with lab tests. But if you get lab tests during treatment, it’s still important to tell your healthcare professional that you’re taking Klonopin.

Does Klonopin interact with cannabis or CBD?

There are currently no reports of Klonopin interacting with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But Klonopin can cause sleepiness and problems with coordination, thinking, and memory. Cannabis and cannabis products can also have these effects. So taking these products with Klonopin could increase these effects.

As with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis with Klonopin.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Klonopin. Before taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Klonopin is right for you.

Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Klonopin include:

Past drug or alcohol misuse or dependence. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine drug that has a risk of misuse and addiction.* You may be more likely to have these problems with Klonopin if you have a history of drug or alcohol misuse or dependency. Your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and addiction before prescribing Klonopin.

Liver problems. Klonopin may build up in the body of a person with liver problems. This could increase the risk of Klonopin side effects.If you have a liver problem, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Klonopin that’s lower than usual. But if you have a severe liver problem, your doctor will likely not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Klonopin?” section above.

Kidney problems. If you have a kidney problem, Klonopin may build up in your body. This could raise your risk of Klonopin side effects. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Klonopin that’s lower than usual.

Lung or breathing problems. Klonopin can sometimes cause slow or shallow breathing. If you have a lung or breathing problem, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or sleep apnea, Klonopin could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor about whether Klonopin is right for you.

Porphyria. Klonopin may not be safe for you if you have a blood disorder called porphyria. Talk with your doctor about whether you can take this medication.

Older age. If you’re age 65 years or older, you may have a higher risk of side effects with Klonopin. These side effects include memory problems, sleepiness, and coordination problems that may increase the risk of falls. Talk with your doctor about whether this medication is right for you.

Pregnancy. Klonopin may not be safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication.

Breastfeeding. Klonopin can pass into breast milk, possibly causing side effects in a child who’s breastfed. If you take Klonopin, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child.

Allergic reaction. Klonopin is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Klonopin, any of its ingredients, or other benzodiazepine drugs, your doctor will likely not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Klonopin?” section above.

Glaucoma. If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma, your doctor will likely not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see “When should I avoid Klonopin?” above. But if you have open-angle glaucoma, it’s usually safe for you to take Klonopin, providing your glaucoma is being treated.

Mental health problems. In some people, Klonopin may cause unexpected reactions, such as irritability, anxiety, agitation, or hallucinations. In rare cases, Klonopin may also increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. If you have a history of mental health problems, talk with your doctor about whether Klonopin is right for you. If you take Klonopin, talk with your doctor right away if you have any new or unusual changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior.

* Klonopin has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see “Boxed warnings” at the top of the article.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours per day when you call 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 800-273-8255.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Klonopin and possible interactions.

Are there interactions between Viagra and Klonopin?

No, interactions have not been reported between sildenafil (Viagra) and Klonopin. Klonopin can sometimes cause erectile dysfunction (ED) as a side effect. If you develop ED while taking Klonopin, your doctor may prescribe Viagra to treat this condition.

But both Viagra and Klonopin can cause dizziness, so taking them together may raise your risk of this side effect.

If you have concerns about taking Viagra with Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

Are there interactions between Claritin and Klonopin?

It’s not likely that there are. Interactions have not been reported between loratadine (Claritin) and Klonopin.

Claritin is a type of allergy medication called a nonsedating antihistamine. It does not usually cause sleepiness. But on rare occasions, some people may feel sleepy while taking it. If Claritin does make you sleepy, you should avoid taking it with Klonopin because this could cause increased sleepiness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable alternative.

If Claritin does not make you drowsy, it’s generally considered safe for you to take it with Klonopin.

For more information about taking Claritin during Klonopin treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to take ibuprofen and Klonopin together?

Yes, it’s considered safe to take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) with Klonopin. There’s no known interaction between these medications.

If you have questions about taking ibuprofen with Klonopin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Klonopin. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or take cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Klonopin treatment.

It’s also important to read Klonopin’s label and other paperwork that comes with the drug. You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions. And the paperwork (sometimes called the prescribing information) may have other details about interactions. If you need help understanding this information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking Klonopin exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

If you still have questions about Klonopin and its possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of Klonopin?
• If I take Klonopin with an opioid, should I keep a supply of Narcan on hand?*
• If I take Klonopin and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
• Will I be monitored more closely if I take Klonopin with an interacting medication?

* Naloxone (Narcan) is a drug used to reverse the effects of opioids.

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.