Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: CLONAZEPAM (kloe-NA-ze-pam)
This medicine is a benzodiazepine used to treat seizures and panic disorder. Benzodiazepines work directly on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other anti-seizure medicines (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), cimetidine, nefazodone, or kava. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking other medicine which causes drowsiness such as medicines for sleep (e.g., sedatives), tranquilizers, anti-anxiety medicines (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, or tricyclics such as amitriptyline), muscle relaxants, or antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Flumazenil is a medicine which can partially of fully reverse the effect of benzodiazepines, including clonazepam. Patients being treated with clonazepam for the treatment of seizures should not be given flumazenil because seizures may occur. Consult your doctor for details. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including glaucoma (open angle); kidney, liver, or lung disease; seizures, history of drug dependence, alcohol use, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of glaucoma (narrow angle), severe liver disease, or allergy to any other benzodiazepine (e.g., diazepam, lorazepam). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. These tablets come packaged in a blister pack. Do not remove the tablet from the packaging until you are ready to take a dose. Separate a pouch at the perforation. Bend the corner of the package where directed. Peel back the foil layer to show the tablet. DO NOT PUSH THE TABLET THROUGH THE FOIL, this can damage the tablet. Remove the tablet from the pouch and with dry hands immediately place it on your tongue. DO NOT SPLIT OR CHEW THE TABLET. The tablet will melt on your tongue in a few seconds. After the tablet has melted, it can be swallowed with or without water or other liquid. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in the foil packaging, away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
IF TAKING THIS MEDICINE TO PREVENT SEIZURES, continue taking this medicine on a regular schedule. Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to avoid side effects such as seizures. When using for an extended period, this medicine may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medicine stops working well. IT IS IMPORTANT that you keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while taking this medicine. Laboratory and/or medical test (e.g., CBC, liver function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR DROWSINESS. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. They may contain ingredients which could also cause drowsiness or dizziness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of any new medicine. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine, especially the drowsiness or dizziness effect. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the human fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while using this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while you are taking this medicine include clumsiness or unsteadiness; constipation; cough; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased saliva production; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; muscle aches; nervousness; runny nose; or tiredness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience behavior changes; blurred vision or other vision changes; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; dark urine; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; memory loss or other memory problems; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, aggression, anxiety, depression, hostility, irritability); new or worsening seizures; painful menstrual periods; painful urination; severe drowsiness; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; shortness of breath; slow or shallow breathing; slurred speech or other speech problems; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include extreme drowsiness and confusion, loss of reflexes, or loss of consciousness.
Carry an identification card at all times that says you are taking this medicine. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.