Clonazepam 0.5mg what is it used for

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.

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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.

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What is clonazepam? Highlights for clonazepam. Clonazepam side effects. How to take clonazepam. Take as directed. Clonazepam warnings. Clonazepam may interact with other medications. Important considerations for taking clonazepam. Are there any alternatives? Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. As a benzodiazepine, clonazepam comes with the risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction to the medication. Physical dependence to clonazepam can occur with prolonged use of the medication. A withdrawal reaction may occur when stopping clonazepam, but this risk can be reduced by slowly reducing the dose of clonazepam when stopping. Do not stop taking clonazepam abruptly, and do not make any changes to therapy without consulting your health care provider.

Last Updated: January This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication.

Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein.

The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein. Search Close Menu. Sign In About Mental Illness. About Mental Illness Treatments. About Mental Illness Research. Your Journey Individuals with Mental Illness. Your Journey Family Members and Caregivers. Your Journey Identity and Cultural Dimensions.

Your Journey Frontline Professionals. Get Involved Become a Fundraiser. Get Involved Awareness Events. Get Involved Share Your Story. Get Involved Partner with Us. Advocacy Advocate for Change. Advocacy Policy Priorities. Advocacy Policy Platform. The effects start after one hour and last for six to twelve hours. An anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug is what this medication is called. It's also used to help people who are having panic attacks.

Clonazepam relieves anxiety by calming the brain and nerves. It belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs. How to use Clonazepam oral Before you start taking clonazepam, and every time you get a refill, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist.

Inquire with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns Take this medication by mouth, usually 2 or 3 times per day, as directed by your doctor. Dosage is determined by your medical condition, age, and treatment response. The dose for children is also determined by their weight. To reduce the risk of side effects, older adults usually start with a lower dose. Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or for longer than recommended To get the most benefit from this medication, take it on a regular basis.

Take it at the same times every day to help you remember. Do not stop taking this drug without first consulting your doctor. When this drug is abruptly stopped, some conditions may worsen. It's possible that your dose will need to be gradually reduced. To avoid withdrawal, your doctor may gradually reduce your dose.

If you've been taking clonazepam for a long time or in high doses, you're more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. If you experience withdrawal symptoms, contact your doctor or pharmacist right away. It's possible that if you take this medication for a long time, it won't work as well. If this medication isn't working as well as it used to, talk to your doctor. Despite the fact that it benefits a large number of people, this medication has the potential to cause addiction.

To reduce the risk of addiction, take this medication exactly as directed. If you have a variety of seizure disorders, you may notice an increase in the severity of your seizures when you first start taking clonazepam. 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. If you're prescribed clonazepam for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually before stopping it, to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Clonazepam is not likely to be addictive if you take it for a short time 2 to 4 weeks. If you've been taking it for longer than 2 to 4 weeks, your doctor will reduce your dose gradually if they want you to stop taking it.

You're more likely to get addicted if you have, or have previously had, problems with alcohol or drugs. Speak to your doctor if you've had problems with alcohol or recreational drugs. They may want to try you on a different medicine. If your doctor recommends you stop taking clonazepam and you've been taking it for more than 2 to 4 weeks, they will reduce your dose gradually. This allows your body to get used to being without the medicine and reduces the chance of side effects when you stop taking it.

The risk of these side effects will be reduced if you lower your dose gradually. Do not drink alcohol while taking clonazepam. Alcohol can increase the side effects of clonazepam. It can make you go into a very deep sleep. There's a risk you may not be able to breath properly and you may have difficulty waking up. This can be dangerous. Using cannabis, heroin or methadone with clonazepam will increase the drowsy effects of clonazepam.