Then throw the medication away in a sealed container like a sealed bag or a coffee can with a lid. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy and fainting spells, do after the high the dea not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Do not stop taking or change the dose except on the advice of your care team. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients.
- So, it is better to avoid these medicines and alcohol while consuming clonazolam.
- The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase a person’s risk of sedative effects from clonazepam.
- These types of drugs work by increasing levels of a certain brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid.
- Although clonazepam and Xanax are similar types of drug, there are times when one might be better to use than the other.
Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer. Clonazepam is used to treat certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children. Clonazepam comes as a tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth) to take by mouth. It usually is taken one to three times a day with or without food.
Some people’s bodies react badly to particular medications, or the drug may be ineffective. If this is the case, a person should talk to their doctor, who can make an alternative recommendation. Before starting to take a new medication, a person should tell their doctor or pharmacist about any other drugs that they are taking or planning to take. With either drug, a severe allergic reaction is unlikely. However, if a person develops any symptoms of a reaction — such as a rash, difficulty breathing, itching, or swelling — they need emergency help.
Avoid Taking Clonazolam If You Have Certain Medical Conditions
They’re most often used for treating anxiety and related mental health conditions, as well as brain-related conditions like seizures. These medications are tightly regulated and are only available with a prescription. Clonazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine with intermediate onset commonly used to treat panic disorders, severe anxiety, and seizures. Clonazepam may reduce seizure frequency in specific seizure disorders and can be used short-term for panic disorder, to relieve anxiety, or to sedate. When used long-term it can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation. Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain.
What happens if I overdose?
Long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to dependence on these drugs. Dependence can begin after using the drugs for as little as 1 month. A dose of Xanax will affect a person for a few hours. A dose of clonazepam our salvia guide the salvia experience, benefits, dosage and more can last around three times longer. For seizures, the dosage for adults is 0.5 mg three times per day. A doctor can increase the dosage in increments of 0.5 mg to 1 mg until the seizures are under control.
Once ordered by the clinicians, nurses often administer the drug. In primary care, patients also influence clinicians by having this conceived notion about clonazepam and BZD drugs being wonder drugs to make them feel and sleep better. These issues can result in poor patient outcomes from drug dependence, misuse, abuse, motor impairment, etc. Clonazepam significantly increases the risk of respiratory depression.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. This list does not contain all types of drugs that may interact with clonazepam tablets. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with use of clonazepam tablets. Before taking clonazepam tablets, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types.
Due to its potential effect for inducing CNS depression, clonazepam may impair judgment, thinking, and motor skills. Patients should be advised against using heavy machinery, driving, or any other activity requiring higher motor skills. It should be carefully prescribed in patients with a neuromuscular disorder such as parkinsonism or myasthenia gravis, as it can exacerbate their condition.