What Is Klonopin?

Potential Side Effects

Patients who use Klonopin could experience a range of potential side effects. Some of the most commonly reported ones include depression, drowsiness, dizziness, difficulties with walking and coordination, fatigue, and issues with short-term memory. Some patients have reported headaches, loss of appetite, and irritability, and the medication could also cause upper respiratory tract infections. Patients with these infections might notice body aches, fever, chills, coughing, nasal congestion, and loss of voice. Less common side effects that may occur with the use of Klonopin include bladder pain, bloody or cloudy urine, muscle aches, nausea, frequent urges to urinate, and pain in the lower back or side. Sweating and nervousness may develop as well, and patients could notice increases in the amount of urine that they pass. Rare side effects include muscle stiffness and chest pain, and some patients have reported nightmares, excessive dreaming, and a lack of self-control while taking this medicine. Swelling of the face, ankles, or feet could occur, and the patient might have an abnormally rapid pulse. Patients should let their doctor know about all of the side effects they notice during treatment with clonazepam. In particular, doctors must be made aware of any side effects that persist for more than two weeks. Reducing the dose of this medicine could make side effects more tolerable for patients.

Learn about the precautions to remember in regards to Klonopin next.

Precautions To Remember

Individuals who are allergic to diazepam, lorazepam, and similar medicines should not take Klonopin or other forms of clonazepam. The medication is not safe for use by those with severe liver disease or narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients who have a history of alcohol or drug misuse should let their physician know before clonazepam is prescribed, and the doctor also needs to know about any history of depression, psychosis, and suicidal thoughts or actions. This medicine may be unsafe for patients who have breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Some individuals who take clonazepam could experience suicidal thoughts, unusual behavior changes, and depression. These changes are most likely to occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Family members and caregivers should be made aware of the potential for these mental health changes so they can monitor the patient. If any of these changes occur, the patient's doctor should be informed immediately.

Individuals should let their doctor know if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, and they will need to inform the doctor if they are breastfeeding. Clonazepam could harm an unborn baby, and it might cause breathing difficulties in newborns. If this medication must be used for seizure prevention during pregnancy, the patient's name may be placed on a special register. The register monitors the outcome of the patient's pregnancy and records information about any effects clonazepam has on the newborn. Patients should not take this drug for longer than nine weeks unless a doctor has advised longer-term use. Klonopin could cause physical dependence with just two weeks of use. Patients should not stop taking the medicine without talking to their doctor first. It is necessary to taper the dose under medical supervision to reduce the risk of developing withdrawal symptoms.

Learn about medication interactions with Klonopin next.