Side Effects of Klonopin (Clonazepam)

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSide EffectsWithdrawal EffectsOverdose Effects

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Side Effects

Withdrawal Effects

Overdose Effects

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a prescription medication approved to help treatpanic disorderand certain types of seizures.Rivotril is another brand name for clonazepam in some other countries.If you’ve been prescribed Klonopin, it’s important to educate yourself about the possible side effects, which range from mild to serious. This helps you know what to expect when taking this medication, as well as being able to identify which Klonopin or Rivotril side effects require medical attention.The Most Important Things to Know About Klonopin/RivotrilWhile rare, serious side effects can occur when taking Klonopin—especially when mixing this drug with opioids or alcohol.It is possible to overdose on Klonopin, which can also result in serious side effects.Using Klonopin for extended periods can lead to dependence, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug.The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and TestedSide Effects of KlonopinSome Klonopin side effects are common and rather mild while others are more serious, requiring immediate medical attention.Common Side EffectsSome of the most common Klonopin side effects include:DrowsinessDepressionDizzinessNervousnessTrouble walking or with balanceReduced intellectual abilityMany of these effects are mild and will resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the medication. Generally, this takes a couple of weeks to occur.If any of these common side effects become severe or fail to go away over time, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may lower the dose of your prescription to ease the effects or, alternatively, switch you to adifferent panic disorder medication.Serious Side EffectsWhile rare, Klonopin can cause serious side effects. If you or a loved one experience any of these effects, call your healthcare provider or 911 right away:Hives or rashHoarsenessSwelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowingSome studies have found that roughly one in 500 people taking clonazepam developedsuicidal thoughts and behaviorsafter starting this drug.Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to any mental health changes that might occur, particularly when beginning treatment.If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.Combining benzodiazepines with alcoholor opioid drugs can also lead to serious side effects, even potentially death.Symptoms of a dangerous interaction include extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, and unresponsiveness. If any of these occur, medical attention is needed immediately.Withdrawal Symptoms for KlonopinIf you take Klonopin for even just a few days, it is possible to develop a physical dependence.This can cause you to experience certain withdrawal effects when discontinuing its use.Some of the morecommon Klonopin withdrawal symptomsinclude:IrritabilityNervousnessTrouble sleepingThese symptoms are usually manageable and eventually resolve as the daily dosage is decreased. However, sometimes withdrawal symptoms can last for a long time, or longer than expected.Never suddenly stop taking Klonopin without your physician’s approval, especially if you’ve been prescribed it for some time. If you do need to stop, your healthcare provider will generally reduce your dosage gradually to wean you off treatment.When to Call Your DoctorSome benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening.Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience any of the following, more serious symptoms of withdrawal:Abdominal crampsConfusionDepressionHallucinationsIncreased sensitivity to touch or painLight sensitivityMuscle crampsNausea or vomitingParanoia or abnormal thoughtsProfuse sweatingRapid heartbeatSeizuresSound sensitivityTingling, burning, or prickly sensationsSevere withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur in individuals taking high doses of Klonopin over extended periods.Overdose of KlonopinIf you think that someone has overdosed on Klonopin, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room as this can be lethal. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or go to thePoison Control websitefor immediate advice and assistance.Call 911 for Overdose SymptomsSigns of Klonopin overdose include:ConfusionPoor coordinationSlow reflexesUnresponsiveness or comaOverdose treatment may involve gastric lavage (emptying the stomach), intravenous fluids, mechanical ventilation, and medications such as Romazicon (flumazenil) to reverse the sedative effects and Levarterenol (norepinephrine) to treat a dangerous drop in blood pressure if present.SummaryWhile some people can take Klonopin with no issues, others experience side effects. Certain effects can also occur if you take too much Klonopin or when discontinuing its use.This is important to know because it is possible to develop a dependence on Klonopin, andbenzodiazepines in general are associated with misuse and abuse.Increased use can lead to more serious side effects, with some of these effects potentially life-threatening.If you find that you are taking more Klonopin than prescribed, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you find ways to manage your health condition without also developing a dependence on this drug.If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a prescription medication approved to help treatpanic disorderand certain types of seizures.Rivotril is another brand name for clonazepam in some other countries.

If you’ve been prescribed Klonopin, it’s important to educate yourself about the possible side effects, which range from mild to serious. This helps you know what to expect when taking this medication, as well as being able to identify which Klonopin or Rivotril side effects require medical attention.

The Most Important Things to Know About Klonopin/RivotrilWhile rare, serious side effects can occur when taking Klonopin—especially when mixing this drug with opioids or alcohol.It is possible to overdose on Klonopin, which can also result in serious side effects.Using Klonopin for extended periods can lead to dependence, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug.

The Most Important Things to Know About Klonopin/Rivotril

While rare, serious side effects can occur when taking Klonopin—especially when mixing this drug with opioids or alcohol.It is possible to overdose on Klonopin, which can also result in serious side effects.Using Klonopin for extended periods can lead to dependence, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug.

The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and Tested

Side Effects of Klonopin

Some Klonopin side effects are common and rather mild while others are more serious, requiring immediate medical attention.

Common Side Effects

Some of the most common Klonopin side effects include:

Many of these effects are mild and will resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the medication. Generally, this takes a couple of weeks to occur.

If any of these common side effects become severe or fail to go away over time, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may lower the dose of your prescription to ease the effects or, alternatively, switch you to adifferent panic disorder medication.

Serious Side Effects

While rare, Klonopin can cause serious side effects. If you or a loved one experience any of these effects, call your healthcare provider or 911 right away:

Some studies have found that roughly one in 500 people taking clonazepam developedsuicidal thoughts and behaviorsafter starting this drug.Therefore, it’s important to pay attention to any mental health changes that might occur, particularly when beginning treatment.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Combining benzodiazepines with alcoholor opioid drugs can also lead to serious side effects, even potentially death.Symptoms of a dangerous interaction include extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, and unresponsiveness. If any of these occur, medical attention is needed immediately.

Withdrawal Symptoms for Klonopin

If you take Klonopin for even just a few days, it is possible to develop a physical dependence.This can cause you to experience certain withdrawal effects when discontinuing its use.

Some of the morecommon Klonopin withdrawal symptomsinclude:

These symptoms are usually manageable and eventually resolve as the daily dosage is decreased. However, sometimes withdrawal symptoms can last for a long time, or longer than expected.

Never suddenly stop taking Klonopin without your physician’s approval, especially if you’ve been prescribed it for some time. If you do need to stop, your healthcare provider will generally reduce your dosage gradually to wean you off treatment.

When to Call Your Doctor

Some benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening.Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience any of the following, more serious symptoms of withdrawal:

Severe withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur in individuals taking high doses of Klonopin over extended periods.

Overdose of Klonopin

If you think that someone has overdosed on Klonopin, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room as this can be lethal. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or go to thePoison Control websitefor immediate advice and assistance.

Call 911 for Overdose SymptomsSigns of Klonopin overdose include:ConfusionPoor coordinationSlow reflexesUnresponsiveness or coma

Call 911 for Overdose Symptoms

Signs of Klonopin overdose include:ConfusionPoor coordinationSlow reflexesUnresponsiveness or coma

Signs of Klonopin overdose include:

Overdose treatment may involve gastric lavage (emptying the stomach), intravenous fluids, mechanical ventilation, and medications such as Romazicon (flumazenil) to reverse the sedative effects and Levarterenol (norepinephrine) to treat a dangerous drop in blood pressure if present.

Summary

While some people can take Klonopin with no issues, others experience side effects. Certain effects can also occur if you take too much Klonopin or when discontinuing its use.

This is important to know because it is possible to develop a dependence on Klonopin, andbenzodiazepines in general are associated with misuse and abuse.Increased use can lead to more serious side effects, with some of these effects potentially life-threatening.

If you find that you are taking more Klonopin than prescribed, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you find ways to manage your health condition without also developing a dependence on this drug.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Klonopin label.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Clonazepam (Klonopin).National Library of Medicine.Clonazepam.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning.Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, et al.The efficacy and safety of clonazepam in patients with anxiety disorder taking newer antidepressants: A multicenter naturalistic study.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(2):177-83. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Kacirova I, Grundmann M, Silhan P, Brozmanova H.A case report of clonazepam dependence.Med (Baltimore). 2016;95(9):e2881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002881

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Klonopin label.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Clonazepam (Klonopin).National Library of Medicine.Clonazepam.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning.Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, et al.The efficacy and safety of clonazepam in patients with anxiety disorder taking newer antidepressants: A multicenter naturalistic study.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(2):177-83. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Kacirova I, Grundmann M, Silhan P, Brozmanova H.A case report of clonazepam dependence.Med (Baltimore). 2016;95(9):e2881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002881

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Klonopin label.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Clonazepam (Klonopin).National Library of Medicine.Clonazepam.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning.Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, et al.The efficacy and safety of clonazepam in patients with anxiety disorder taking newer antidepressants: A multicenter naturalistic study.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(2):177-83. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059Kacirova I, Grundmann M, Silhan P, Brozmanova H.A case report of clonazepam dependence.Med (Baltimore). 2016;95(9):e2881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002881

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Klonopin label.

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Clonazepam (Klonopin).

National Library of Medicine.Clonazepam.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning.

Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, et al.The efficacy and safety of clonazepam in patients with anxiety disorder taking newer antidepressants: A multicenter naturalistic study.Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(2):177-83. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177

Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al.Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations.Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059

Kacirova I, Grundmann M, Silhan P, Brozmanova H.A case report of clonazepam dependence.Med (Baltimore). 2016;95(9):e2881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002881

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The Most Important Things to Know About Klonopin/Rivotril#

Side Effects of Klonopin#

Common Side Effects#

Serious Side Effects#

Withdrawal Symptoms for Klonopin#

When to Call Your Doctor#

Overdose of Klonopin#

Call 911 for Overdose Symptoms#

Summary#