When is klonopin used

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Mental health conditions Learn more about common mental health conditions that affect millions. When starting clonazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days. Avoid alcohol while taking this medication. Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since clonazepam does pass into breast milk. Symptoms of your condition that bother you the most If you have thoughts of suicide or harming yourself Medications you have taken in the past for your condition, whether they were effective or caused any adverse effects If you experience side effects from your medications, discuss them with your health care provider.

People with SAD have an excessive fear of being judged, viewed negatively, and embarrassed or humiliated. Benzodiazepines such as Klonopin slow electrical activity in the brain, which is why they are often used to treat anxiety. Klonopin acts quickly on social anxiety symptoms, but the other potential benefits of the medication can take longer to appear. It's not clear exactly how Klonopin reduces panic, but it's thought to be related to activation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-amino butyric acid GABA.

Benzodiazepines calm the brain by binding to GABA receptors. These antidepressants are considered the first-line of treatment for SAD. Since it acts quickly, Klonopin can be used when needed, such as when performance anxiety hits—say, before someone gives a big presentation or meets a lot of new people.

Because anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines run the risk of dependence, a doctor may prescribe them only for the short term.

You should always speak to your doctor about your medical history and work with them to find a treatment that's right for you. People who have certain medical conditions or are in specific circumstances that affect their health might not be able to take Klonopin or need to take precautions. You should not take Klonopin if you:. Speak with your doctor about Klonopin and any precautions you should know about, particularly if you:.

Klonopin can increase symptoms of depression in some people. If you have a history of depression, you will need to be closely monitored by the doctor who prescribes your medication. The side effects associated with Klonopin are usually dose-dependent, meaning the more a person takes, the more likely they are to experience side effects.

Mild side effects will usually fade away after a few days or weeks. The most common adverse effects people experience when taking Klonopin include:. Other side effects of Klonopin include:. After you start Klonopin, your doctor will follow up with you and ask questions about how you have been feeling since you began taking it.

This conversation will help them determine the drug's effectiveness in treating your symptoms and gives you a chance to tell them about any side effects you are having. Your doctor can then decide if your dose needs to be adjusted. Some potential side effects of Klonopin are serious—even life-threatening. If you take Klonopin with alcohol, illicit drugs, or certain other medications, such as opioid painkillers, it will increase your risk of serious side effects.

If someone taking Klonopin exhibits the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:. While not common, Klonopin can also cause suicidal thoughts and ideations. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any atypical changes in your behavior or mood, such as:. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. While you're taking Klonopin, it's important to be aware of its risks. For example, it can be addictive and has potential for misuse, which is why it's classified as a controlled substance.

In , the FDA updated the black box warning on benzodiazepines to call out their potential for addiction , dependence, abuse, and withdrawal. In addition, if you take other medications besides Klonopin, you should be aware of how these medications could affect one another. Interactions between medications can be mild, moderate, or severe, and they are not limited to prescription medications.

You also need to be aware of any over-the-counter products, herbs, or supplements that are not safe to take with Klonopin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if it is safe to take your medications or supplements with Klonopin. Klonopin poses a serious risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction. This can lead to overdose and even death—particularly when other substances are used at the same time, such as opioids or alcohol.

Clonazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take certain opiate medications for cough such as codeine in Triacin-C, in Tuzistra XR or hydrocodone in Anexsia, in Norco, in Zyfrel or for pain such as codeine in Fiorinal , fentanyl Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, others , hydromorphone Dilaudid, Exalgo , meperidine Demerol , methadone Dolophine, Methadose , morphine Astramorph, Duramorph PF, Kadian , oxycodone in Oxycet, in Percocet, in Roxicet, others , and tramadol Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet.

Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medications and will monitor you carefully. If you take clonazepam with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care immediately: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness.

Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Clonazepam may be habit forming.

Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.

Do not drink alcohol or use street drugs during your treatment. Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during your treatment with clonazepam also increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.

Clonazepam may cause a physical dependence a condition in which unpleasant physical symptoms occur if a medication is suddenly stopped or taken in smaller doses , especially if you take it for several days to several weeks. Do not stop taking this medication or take fewer doses without talking to your doctor.

Stopping clonazepam suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months. Your doctor probably will decrease your clonazepam dose gradually.

Call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms: unusual movements; ringing in your ears; anxiety; memory problems; difficulty concentrating; sleep problems; seizures; shaking; muscle twitching; changes in mental health; depression; burning or prickling feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet; seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear; thoughts of harming or killing yourself or others; overexcitement; or losing touch with reality.

Clonazepam is used alone or in combination with other medications to control certain types of seizures. It is also used to relieve panic attacks sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks.

Clonazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain. 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. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Do not stop using clonazepam suddenly , even if you feel fine.

Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose. Clonazepam doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. Call your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your seizures or panic attacks. Seizures are often treated with a combination of drugs.

Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice. Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription. Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose.