It is an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic medication. Doctors may also prescribe clonazepam for panic disorder. Xanax and clonazepam both affect the CNS and have the potential for misuse, with some people becoming dependent on them. Xanax is a useful medication for people who experience panic attacks. The drug helps relieve the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Some doctors prescribe Xanax for depression , but there is limited evidence to suggest that it is effective unless the person also has anxiety. Clonazepam is also a benzodiazepine.
Doctors use it to treat seizure disorders in both adults and children. It can help address chemical imbalances in the brain and reduce the number of panic attacks. A lack of GABA activity can cause people to become excitable and may lead to panic attacks or seizures.
Having more GABA activity in the body helps reduce instances of panic attacks and seizures. 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. Benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam, are often used for short periods of time only. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine. Do not stop taking clonazepam without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Stopping clonazepam abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, tremor, dizziness, blood pressure changes, rapid heart rate, and seizures. Withdrawal reactions may occur when dosage reduction occurs for any reason. The use of clonazepam with drugs like opioid medications has led to serious side effects including slowed and difficulty breathing and death. Opioid drugs are medications used to treat pain and include medications such as: codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and illegal drugs like heroin.
Some opioid medications are also in cough syrup. If you are taking clonazepam with an opioid medication, get medical assistance immediately if you feel dizziness or sleepiness, if you have slow or troubled breathing, or if you pass out. Caregivers must get medical help right away if a patient does not respond and does not wake up. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, notify your healthcare provider to best manage your medications.
People living with anxiety disorders who wish to become pregnant face important decisions regarding risk versus benefit of benzodiazepine use in pregnancy.
Clonazepam can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. It is important to discuss this with your doctor and caregivers. Typically, your healthcare provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day. Your health care provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.
Clonazepam oral disintegrating tablets must remain in their original packaging. Open the package with clean dry hands before each dose. Do not try to put tablets in a pillbox if you take the orally disintegrating tablets. Take the tablets right away, do not store for later use. Clonazepam oral disintegrating tablets will dissolve in your mouth within seconds and can be swallowed with or without liquid. You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.
If you miss a dose of clonazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Avoid drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs while you are taking clonazepam. They may decrease the benefits e. Alcohol increases the risk of accidental overdose with medications like clonazepam. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at A specific treatment to reverse the effects of clonazepam does exist.
This medicine, called flumazenil, can reverse the effects of clonazepam but must be given through an IV at a hospital. Only a doctor can decide if you need this medication. If you experience these side effects after starting clonazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. In addition, if you take other medications besides Klonopin, you should be aware of how these medications could affect one another.
Interactions between medications can be mild, moderate, or severe, and they are not limited to prescription medications. You also need to be aware of any over-the-counter products, herbs, or supplements that are not safe to take with Klonopin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if it is safe to take your medications or supplements with Klonopin. Klonopin poses a serious risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction. This can lead to overdose and even death—particularly when other substances are used at the same time, such as opioids or alcohol.
There is also risk of physical and psychological dependence when you are taking Klonopin. Taking the medication daily for longer than two weeks increases your risk of developing physical dependence. Stopping Klonopin suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms , such as seizures, which can be life-threatening. If you want to reduce or stop your dose, talk to your doctor.
They can guide you to slowly take less of the medication over time, an approach known as tapering. Never stop taking Klonopin abruptly without talking to your doctor, even if you are experiencing side effects.
People who are older might be more likely to experience medication side effects, including those that commonly occur with benzodiazepine use. Older people have also had increased risks of falling and negative cognitive effects. When you start taking Klonopin, avoid activities that could be dangerous to you or others until you have adjusted to the medication. Wait until you know how you feel taking it and how it affects your body before you:. There are several types, or classes, of prescription drugs that should be used with significant caution when combined with Klonopin.
These include:. Several specific prescription medications are known to interact with Klonopin. These medications can change how much Klonopin is in your body as well as how well the drug works. Medications that may increase the levels and effects of Klonopin include:. Medications that may decrease the levels and effects of Klonopin include:.
Some people with social anxiety disorder also take an antidepressant. The effects of Klonopin may be intensified if they are combined with other drugs or alcohol. Make sure that you tell your doctor about all the medications you take as well as any substances you use—including any over-the-counter products, herbal remedies, and supplements. Over-the-counter OTC medicines or herbal supplements or remedies could interact with Klonopin.
Examples include:. Also, grapefruit juice may pose a risk. Grapefruit contains compounds that can change how certain medications work. You might not have to give it up completely, but your doctor might advise you to limit how much you have.
Check in with them to see if you should avoid it while taking Klonopin. If you have medication that you do not need, make sure you know how to dispose of it properly. Prescription medications cannot necessarily be tossed in your trash or flushed down the drain. When medications are disposed of improperly, they can harm people, animals, and the environment.
For example, drugs that are flushed down the toilet end up in the local water supply, and when medications are thrown out in the garbage, they could find their way to a person who would be harmed by taking them or end up on the street where they would be sold illegally.
To help prevent these outcomes, many hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other community organizations offer take-back programs for unused or expired medications. If your doctor has not given you instructions about what to do with unused Klonopin, ask a pharmacist. They can tell you how to properly dispose of your medication. If you are prescribed Klonopin for SAD, your doctor has decided that it has the potential to be a positive part of your treatment plan.
If you have any questions or concerns about the medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you don't feel that Klonopin is helping you with your symptoms or you are experiencing intolerable side effects, there are other medications and treatment options you can try.
In addition to medication, your doctor might recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , during which you work with a therapist to learn how to monitor and alter your thought patterns and behaviors to help you handle situations in a more adaptive way.
Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for some people with SAD and other mental health conditions. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options. Front Psychiatry. Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety disorders. Reviewed December 17, American Psychiatric Association.
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