Clonazepam

What is the most important information I should know about clonazepam tablets?
• Clonazepam tablets are benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid
medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (including street
drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression),
coma, and death. Get emergency help right away if any of the following happens:
o shallow or slowed breathing
o breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
o excessive sleepiness (sedation)
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how taking clonazepam tablets and
opioids affects you.
• Risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction. There is a risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction with
benzodiazepines, including clonazepam tablets, which can lead to overdose and serious side
effects including coma and death.

Serious side effects including coma and death have happened in people who have
abused or misused benzodiazepines, including clonazepam tablets. These serious side
effects may also include delirium, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, and
difficulty breathing. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital
emergency room right away if you get any of these serious side effects.
o You can develop an addiction even if you take clonazepam tablets as prescribed by
your healthcare provider.
o Take clonazepam tablets exactly as your healthcare provider prescribed.
o Do not share your clonazepam tablets with other people.
o Keep clonazepam tablets in a safe place and away from children.
• Physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. Clonazepam tablets can cause physical
dependence and withdrawal reactions.
o Do not suddenly stop taking clonazepam tablets. Stopping clonazepam tablets

suddenly can cause serious and life-threatening side effects, including, unusual
movements, responses, or expressions, seizures, sudden and severe mental or nervous
system changes, depression, seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, an
extreme increase in activity or talking, losing touch with reality, and suicidal thoughts or
actions. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room
right away if you get any of these symptoms.
o Some people who suddenly stop benzodiazepines have symptoms that can last for
several weeks to more than 12 months, including, anxiety, trouble remembering,
learning, or concentrating, depression, problems sleeping, feeling like insects are
crawling under your skin, weakness, shaking, muscle twitching, burning or prickling
feeling in your hands, arms, legs or feet, and ringing in your ears.
o Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell
you more about the differences between physical dependence and drug addiction.
o Do not take more clonazepam tablets than prescribed or take clonazepam tablets for
longer than prescribed.