Drug Details

Enter drug name 

Search by first letter
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Brand Name

PMS-Clonazepam

Common Name

clonazepam

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Clonazepam belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. In general, benzodiazepines are used as a sedative or to decrease seizures or anxiety.

Clonazepam is used to treat seizure disorders. It helps by slowing the activity of the nerves in the brain (i.e., the central nervous system).

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

The recommended adult starting dose of clonazepam ranges from 0.5 mg to 2 mg daily in divided doses, with or without food. It is important that the dose be individualized to your specific needs to avoid excessive sedation or motor impairment. Your doctor may increase this dose to as high as 20 mg per day in two to four divided doses. The dose is usually started low and increased if necessary by your doctor.

Children who are more than 10 years old or who weigh more than 30 kg have their doses based on weight (0.01 mg per kg of body weight per day - 0.03 mg per kg of body weight per day) and need to be monitored carefully.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones given here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Clonazepam may be habit forming when taken for long periods of time. If you have been taking this medication regularly for a long period of time (i.e., more than one month), do not stop taking the medication without speaking with your doctor. To avoid withdrawal effects, a gradual reduction in dose is recommended when stopping this medication.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If your next dose is in less than 4 hours, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

PMS-Clonazepam

0.25 mg
Each round, biconvex, blue tablet, imprinted "CLONAZEPAM" on one side and plain on the other side, contains clonazepam 250 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, FD&C Blue No. 1 lake, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

0.5 mg
Each round, biplane, bevelled-edge, orange, scored tablet, imprinted "CLONAZEPAM" on one side and "pms/0.5" on the other side, contains clonazepam 500 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, FD&C Yellow No. 6 lake, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

1 mg
Each round, biconvex, pink tablet, imprinted "CLONAZEPAM" on one side and "pms/1" on the other side, contains clonazepam 1 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, FD&C Red No. 40 lake, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

2 mg
Each round, white, biplane, bevelled-edge, scored tablet, imprinted "CLONAZEPAM" on one side and "pms/2.0" on the other side, contains clonazepam 2 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

PMS-Clonazepam-R

Each round orange, biplane, bevelled-edge, scored tablet imprinted "CLONAZEPAM" on one side and "pms/0.5" on the other side, contains clonazepam 500 µg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: cornstarch, FD&C Yellow No. 6 lake, lactose, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Clonazepam should not be taken by anyone with:

• an allergy to clonazepam, any other benzodiazepine, or any ingredient of this medication
• severe breathing problems
• myasthenia gravis
• significant liver disease
• acute narrow or closed angle glaucoma

Clonazepam may be used by people with open angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate treatment.

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

More common:

• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• slurred speech

Less common or rare:

• abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• blurred vision or other changes in vision
• changes in sexual desire or ability
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dry mouth or increased thirst
• false sense of well-being
• headache
• increased watering of mouth
• muscle spasm
• nausea or vomiting
• problems urinating
• trembling or shaking
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common:

• anxiety
• confusion
• depression
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• lack of memory

  Rare:

• abnormal thinking (disorientation, delusions, or loss of sense of reality)
• agitation
• behavioural changes, including:
  • aggressiveness
  • bizarre conduct
  • decreased inhibition
  • angry outbursts
• convulsions (seizures)
• hallucinations
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• muscle weakness
• skin rash or itching
• sore throat, fever, and chills
• trouble sleeping
• ulcers or sores in the mouth or throat
• uncontrolled movements of body, including the eyes
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability
• unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)
• yellow eyes or skin

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Dependence and withdrawal: Physical dependence (a need to take regular doses to prevent physical symptoms) has been associated with benzodiazepines such as clonazepam. Severe withdrawal symptoms may occur if the dose is significantly reduced or suddenly stopped. These symptoms include seizures, irritability, nervousness, sleep problems, agitation, tremors, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, memory impairment, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, and confusion. Reducing the dose gradually under medical supervision can help prevent or decrease these withdrawal symptoms.

Medical conditions: Clonazepam is not recommended for use by people with depression or psychosis. People who have an addiction to alcohol or other drugs should not take clonazepam except in rare situations under medical supervision.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Because clonazepam causes drowsiness and sedation, do not engage in activities requiring mental alertness, judgment, and physical coordination (such as driving or operating machinery) while taking it. This is particularly true when first taking the medication and until you have established that clonazepam does not affect you this way. Alcohol can increase the drowsiness effects and should be avoided.

Pregnancy: If clonazepam is used to prevent major seizures, its use should not be discontinued. If it is taken for minor seizures, the risks posed by seizures need to be weighed against the risks posed by the medication. Women who have epilepsy should notify their doctor promptly if they become pregnant.

Breast-feeding: Clonazepam may pass into breast milk and is not recommended for use by nursing mothers. Mothers who take clonazepam should not breast-feed their infants.

Children: If long-term use of clonazepam is being considered for a child, the benefits needs to be weighed against the risks.

Seniors: Seniors may be at increased risk for the sedative and impaired coordination effects of this medication. They need to use extra caution, for example, when getting up during the night.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between clonazepam and any of the following:

• alcohol
• barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital)
• narcotic-containing medications (e.g., codeine)
• phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine)
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline)
• carbamazepine
• valproic acid

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications; you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Disclaimer

The information within this website is for Canadian audiences only. This content is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. It should not be relied upon or interpreted as a recommendation for any specific treatment plan, product or course of action. The information on the site is not intended as a substitute of any kind for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak to your healthcare professional before taking any product, changing your lifestyle, or beginning or discontinuing any course of treatment. If you suspect that you are ill or may have a medical emergency, contact a physician, a health professional or call 911 immediately.