Clonazepam



Klonopin®







Clonazepam

(kloe NA ze pam)

U.S. Brand Names
Klonopin®
Canadian Brand Names
Alti-Clonazepam; Apo-Clonazepam®; Clonapam; CO Clonazepam; Gen-Clonazepam; Klonopin®; Novo-Clonazepam; Nu-Clonazepam; PMS-Clonazepam; Rho®-Clonazepam; Rivotril®; Sandoz-Clonazepam
Mexican Brand Names
Kenoket®; Rivotril®
Pharmacologic Category
Benzodiazepine
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to clonazepam or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Glaucoma or liver disease.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to prevent or treat seizures.
  • This medicine is used to treat acute manic episodes.
  • This medicine is used to treat anxiety.
  • This medicine is used to treat multifacial tic disorder.
  • This medicine is used to treat painful nerve diseases.
  • This medicine is used to treat panic attacks.
  • This medicine is used to treat Parkinson's disease.
  • This medicine is used to treat restless leg syndrome.
  • This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia.
How does it work?
  • Clonazepam calms the brain.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Tablet can be crushed and mixed with food or liquid.
  • Oral-disintegrating tablet: Do not push tablet through foil when opening. Place on tongue and let dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you have been taking this medicine on a regular basis for more than 10 days, talk with healthcare provider before stopping. You may want to gradually withdraw this medicine.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • If you have lung disease, you may be more sensitive to this medicine.
  • Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
  • Change in balance.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • If seizures are worse or different after starting medicine.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Use oral-disintegrating tablet right after opening. Throw away any unused portion of opened pouch.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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