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Klonopin

side effects drug center klonopin (clonazepam) drug - patient side effects and images

 

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CONSUMER

SIDE EFFECTS

Klonopin Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer

Generic Name: clonazepam

What is clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) in adults and children.

Clonazepam is also used to treat panic disorder (including agoraphobia) in adults.

Clonazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Clonazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have weak or shallow breathing, if you are hard to wake up, or if you stop breathing.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • new or worsening seizures;
  • severe drowsiness;
  • weak or shallow breathing;
  • unusual changes in mood or behavior;
  • nightmares, hallucinations;
  • thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
  • unusual or involuntary eye movements.

The sedative effects of clonazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking clonazepam.

Common side effects may include:

  • drowsiness, dizziness;
  • feeling tired or depressed;
  • memory problems; or
  • problems with walking or coordination.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Clonazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing.

MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking clonazepam. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Do not stop using clonazepam suddenly, or you could have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

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Klonopin Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

You should not take clonazepam if you have:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • kidney or liver disease;
  • breathing problems;
  • depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
  • porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

Some people have thoughts about suicide when taking seizure medication. Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

If you use clonazepam while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of clonazepam on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Clonazepam is not approved to treat panic disorder in anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Never use clonazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. 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.

You will need frequent medical tests.

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.

Swallow the regular tablet whole, with a full glass of water.

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.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

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.

Klonopin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

What happens if I miss a dose (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

What other drugs will affect clonazepam (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Taking clonazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect clonazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information (KlonoPIN, KlonoPIN Wafer)?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about clonazepam.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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