Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine. It is thought that clonazepam works by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Clonazepam is also a seizure medicine, also called an anti-epileptic drug.

Klonopin (clonazepam)

Klonopin is used to treat certain seizure disorders (including absence seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in adults and children. Klonopin is also used to treat panic disorder (including agoraphobia) in adults.

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Take Klonopin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 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 Klonopin 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 Dosage

Dosage for panic disorder

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

• Typical starting dose: 0.25 mg taken twice per day
• Dose increases: A doctor may increase the dose to 0.5 mg taken two times per day after three days.
• Maximum dose: 4 mg per day.
• Dose reduction: A doctor should decrease a person’s dose slowly when stopping treatment with this drug. They should decrease the dose by no more than 0.125 mg every three days. For example, if the person was taking 2 mg two times per day, their doctor would start by decreasing the dose to 1.875 mg, taken two times per day.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 17 years)

It hasn’t been confirmed that clonazepam is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years for this condition.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause their body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in their body for a longer time. This raises their risk of side effects. Their doctor may start them on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in their body.

Dosage for seizures

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

• Typical starting dose: 0.5 mg taken three times per day
• Dose increases: A doctor may increase a person’s dose by 0.5 to 1 mg every three days until their seizures are controlled.
• Maximum dose: 20 mg per day, taken in divided doses.

Child dosage (ages 11 to 17 years)

• Typical starting dose: 0.5 mg taken three times per day
• Dose increases: A doctor may increase a child’s dose by 0.5 to 1 mg every three days until their seizures are controlled.
• Maximum dose: 20 mg per day, taken in divided doses.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 10 years or children who weigh 66 lbs. [30 kg] or less)

• Typical starting dose: 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg of body weight per day. The dose shouldn’t be more than 0.05 mg/kg per day given in two to three divided doses.
• Dose increases: A doctor may increase a child’s dose by 0.25 to 0.5 mg every three days until their seizures are controlled.
• Maximum dose: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg per day taken in divided doses.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause their body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in their body for a longer time. This raises their risk of side effects. Their doctor may start them on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in their body.

Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Klonopin: 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 Klonopin.

Common Klonopin 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.

Is Klonopin Addictive?

All benzodiazepines (benzos), which are a class of psychoactive drugs, have highly addictive properties. They also have a significant risk of tolerance and dependence. However, Klonopin is one of the most addictive benzos that is commonly abused for its sedative effects. Addiction to Klonopin can be very dangerous. People who take this medication have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and may notice extreme mood changes. Increased aggression, hostility, poor sleep, and irritability are also common. Lastly, abusing Klonopin may lead to allergic reactions and fatal overdoses. This is because Klonopin is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means it slows down your heart rate and breathing. When taken in large doses, coma or death can occur.