Should i take klonopin

Clonazepam can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with Clonazepam. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Clonazepam. Before taking Clonazepam, a person should be sure to tell their doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs they take.

They should also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements they use. Sharing this information can help avoid potential interactions. 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.

The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. A panic attack can seem like a terrifying heart attack for those experiencing one. Knowing how to stop them can help you regain control of your life.

Clonazepam and Xanax both belong to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. They are quite similar, but people use them them for different reasons…. Many people experience panic attacks. When they occur frequently with no clear triggers, a person may have panic disorder. Learn about these issues….

A look at complex partial seizures, a form of seizure that occurs in just one part of the brain. Included is what to do if someone has a seizure. Anxiety and related mental health conditions can cause ear ringing or tinnitus, and tinnitus can exacerbate existing anxiety. Learn more about the…. What is clonazepam? Highlights for clonazepam. Clonazepam side effects. Your doctor will tell you if you need to take clonazepam in 1 dose or split your dose so you take it up to 3 times each day.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you're not sure how to take it. If you're older than 65 or have kidney, liver or severe breathing problems, your doctor may recommend a lower dose. Take clonazepam tablets with a drink of water. You can take the tablets or liquid with or without food. If you forget to take your clonazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose as usual. Never take 2 doses at the same time.

Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. 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.

At first glance, Xanax and clonazepam are very similar. Both medications are benzodiazepines, CNS depressants, and ways of treating anxiety or panic attacks. Both are short acting drugs, but clonazepam stays in the body for longer than Xanax. The half-life of Xanax is 6—25 hours , while for clonazepam, it is 22—54 hours. Clonazepam can also treat seizures, whereas Xanax does not.

Both drugs have their different off-label uses, which the sections below will look at in more detail. Dosages usually differ depending on the individual and the condition that a doctor is trying to treat. For panic and anxiety, the dosage for adults is 0. A doctor can increase the dosage in increments of 0. However, the maximum dosage does not usually exceed 4 mg per day. For seizures, the dosage for adults is 0. The maximum dosage should not exceed 20 mg per day. For anxiety disorders, the dosage for adults typically starts at 0.

A doctor may incrementally increase the dosage to maximize the effect. Controlled trials involving 1, people found that Xanax worked for panic disorder when participants received 1—10 mg per day. Whether prescribing clonazepam or Xanax, a doctor will usually start at the lowest possible dosage, regularly reassess the dosage, and consider reducing it, for example, if panic attacks stop.

If a doctor advises reducing the dosage, they must ensure that a person does this slowly. If a person stops taking either drug abruptly, it could result in withdrawal symptoms.

Both Xanax and clonazepam typically begin taking effect after a few hours or days of starting the medication. A dose of Xanax will affect a person for a few hours.

A dose of clonazepam can last around three times longer. Long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to dependence on these drugs. Dependence can begin after using the drugs for as little as 1 month.

As Xanax remains in the body for less time than clonazepam, it may carry a higher risk of overuse or misuse, which may lead to dependence. It is critical that a person does not stop taking either drug suddenly. Doing so can lead to adverse effects, such as life threatening seizures, as well as withdrawal symptoms.

A doctor or pharmacist should carefully monitor how a person uses benzodiazepines to manage the risk of dependence. Clonazepam comes in the form of an oral tablet that a person swallows. There is also a version that dissolves in the mouth. Xanax is available in immediate-release and extended-release oral tablets, as well as an oral solution.