How does clonazepam work

You could also ask a pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember your medicines. The amount of clonazepam that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Go to Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the clonazepam packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Like all medicines, clonazepam can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones. If you get these side effects, keep taking the medicine and speak to a doctor if they bother you or do not go away:.

It happens rarely, but some people can have serious side effects when taking clonazepam. In rare cases, clonazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. These are not all the side effects of clonazepam. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet. You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. Clonazepam is not usually recommended during pregnancy. There's not enough information to know if it's safe, and it might mean your baby is born with withdrawal side effects.

If you become pregnant while taking clonazepam, speak to a doctor. Do not stop taking clonazepam suddenly if you have been taking it regularly. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of taking clonazepam and will help you choose the best treatment for you and your baby. You may need to keep taking clonazepam during pregnancy as it's important for you to remain well. If you're breastfeeding or want to breastfeed, talk to a doctor or pharmacist, as there might be better medicines for you.

It will depend on what you're taking clonazepam for. If your doctor says it's OK to take clonazepam while breastfeeding and you notice that your baby's not feeding as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, has unusual breathing, or you have any other concerns about them, talk to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.

Some medicines interfere with the way clonazepam works and increase the chance of you having side effects. There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with clonazepam. Do not take herbal medicines for anxiety or insomnia, such as valerian or passionflower, with clonazepam. They can increase the drowsy effects of clonazepam and may also have other side effects. For safety, tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins, or supplements.

It works by increasing levels of a calming chemical, gamma-amino-butyric-acid GABA , in your brain. Depending on your health condition, this can relieve anxiety, stop seizures and fits or relax tense muscles. This can also help relieve muscle spasms or symptoms of restless legs syndrome. Clonazepam will help you feel calmer and it can reduce your feelings of anxiety. It can also make you feel sleepy and relaxed and might make you feel confused when you first start taking it.

It is important to not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you have any of these side effects. How quickly clonazepam works will depend on what condition you're taking it for.

For seizures, fits and involuntary muscle spasms, it might take a few days to a week for clonazepam to work fully. This is because your dose will be increased gradually until you're taking the right amount. For panic disorder and restless legs syndrome, clonazepam should take around 1 hour to start working. For other conditions, your doctor will want to regularly review if you still need clonazepam.

If you're prescribed clonazepam for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually before stopping it, to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Clonazepam is not likely to be addictive if you take it for a short time 2 to 4 weeks. If you've been taking it for longer than 2 to 4 weeks, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually if they want you to stop taking it. You're more likely to get addicted if you have, or have previously had, problems with alcohol or drugs.

Speak to your doctor if you've had problems with alcohol or recreational drugs. They may want to try you on a different medicine.

If your doctor recommends you stop taking clonazepam and you've been taking it for more than 2 to 4 weeks, they will reduce your dose gradually. This allows your body to get used to being without the medicine and reduces the chance of side effects when you stop taking it. The risk of these side effects will be reduced if you lower your dose gradually.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.

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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.

Some side effects may pass with time, but others may require changes in the medication. Any other psychiatric or medical problems you have including obstructive sleep apnea All other medications you are currently taking including over the counter products and herbal and nutritional supplements and any medication allergies you have Other non-medication treatment you are receiving such as talk therapy or substance abuse treatment.

Your provider can explain how these different treatments work with the medication If you are elderly or are prone to falls If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding If you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma or untreated open-angle glaucoma If you have liver disease If you have phenylketonuria PKU If you drink alcohol or use drugs How Should I Take Clonazepam? If a person has questions about drug interactions that may affect them, they should ask their doctor or pharmacist.

Taking clonazepam with certain other medications may cause more side effects. Examples of these drugs include:. A prescription for this medication is refillable. However, clonazepam is a schedule IV controlled substance. Therefore, a prescription for this drug may be refilled no more than five times. Also, a person can only get refills for six months after the date their doctor wrote the original prescription. After that time, they will need a new prescription. A person and their doctor should monitor certain health issues.

This can help make sure they stay safe while they take this drug. These issues include:. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. Some may be better suited for that person than others. A person should talk to their doctor about other drug options that may work for them.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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 other 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.

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