Klonopin (clonazepam) is an anticonvulsant and sedative drug that relieves anxiety, controls seizures, and helps people sleep. It can be addictive if used long-term and may cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped suddenly. People who use Klonopin should talk to their doctor before stopping it, and seek treatment if they experience withdrawal. The withdrawal timeline and severity varies from person to person.

Klonopin is FDA-approved to treat certain seizure disorders in people of all ages and to help reduce the anxiety associated with panic disorder in adults and children. It is also used off-label to treat insomnia in some people. Off-label drug use is when a doctor prescribes a medication for a purpose that it is not approved to treat.

The most common side effects of Klonopin include drowsiness, dizziness, and trouble with thinking or memory. People who are taking the medication should avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery until they know how it affects them. Klonopin can cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior, so it is important to watch for changes in mood or behavior and get medical care right away if you notice them.

Taking Klonopin with other medications that increase the effects of drowsiness can lead to serious side effects, including severe drowsiness, respiratory depression (slowed or shallow breathing), coma, and death. It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all of the medications and supplements you are taking.

People who use Klonopin to treat their anxiety should talk to their doctor about the other medications they are taking and how they interact with Klonopin. They can help you find a combination that is safe and effective.

If you are using Klonopin to treat a seizure disorder, your doctor will adjust the dosage based on how well it is working. You will likely start with a low dose, such as 0.5 mg per day, and then increase it every 3 days until you reach the highest dose allowed for your condition. Depending on the type of seizure disorder, you may be prescribed additional drugs to take along with Klonopin to manage your condition.

Taking Klonopin with opioids can cause dangerous side effects, including severe drowsiness, life-threatening respiratory depression, coma, and even death. If you are prescribed Klonopin with opioids, your doctor will monitor you closely and probably will not recommend that you stop the drug unless there is no other option. It is possible to withdraw from Klonopin safely if it is used under a doctor's supervision. Withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks or even months.