When was klonopin approved

Schedule IV drugs are defined as such:. Patients with seizure disorders need to be aware that anti-epileptic medications have been associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior. Although benzodiazepines are listed as Schedule IV and therefore should have a low potential for abuse, this is not true when they are used for extended periods of time or prescribed to individuals with substance use disorders.

All benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence, and ceasing to take the medication abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms that include:. If you think that you or a loved one has developed a dependence on Klonopin, it is important to seek professional help.

Contact us today at We can help. References: Ankrom, Sheryl. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor's advice.

Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of clonazepam on the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Clonazepam is not approved to treat panic disorder in anyone younger than 18 years old. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Clonazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have weak or shallow breathing, if you are hard to wake up, or if you stop breathing. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor , such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive mentally or physically , more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

The sedative effects of clonazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking clonazepam. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Use Clonazepam Klonopin exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Never use clonazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.

Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law. Taking Klonopin can also lead to misuse, which may increase the risk of overdose and, in some cases, death. Klonopin has a boxed warning for these risks. A boxed warning is the most serious type of warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Sexual side effects can include:. Sexual problems were reported in people who took Klonopin in clinical studies.

These side effects may be more likely in people taking high doses of Klonopin. If you have sexual side effects with Klonopin, talk with your doctor. They may adjust your dosage or suggest other treatments, such as sildenafil Viagra. When hypotension low blood pressure occurred with Klonopin in clinical studies, it was usually due to a condition called orthostatic hypotension.

With orthostatic hypotension, your blood pressure drops quickly when you stand up, which may cause you to feel dizzy. Hypotension can also be a symptom of overdose. If you have any of these symptoms while taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor. They may want to see whether Klonopin or something else is the cause. If the orthostatic hypotension is due to the drug, your doctor may adjust your dosage or treatment plan.

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Klonopin. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Klonopin, as the reaction could become severe.

But the drug is approved to treat panic disorder , which is a type of anxiety disorder. With panic disorder, the thought of having a panic attack may increase anxiety. How long Klonopin works for anxiety related to panic disorder depends on several factors, including how severe your symptoms are.

To learn more, including information about dosage, talk with your doctor. Klonopin is not approved to treat sleep problems such as insomnia trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. But the drug may be used off-label for sleep problems. No, Klonopin is not a narcotic a powerful pain reliever also known as an opioid.

Narcotics are opioid analgesic painkiller drugs used to relieve severe pain. Examples include:. Benzodiazepines , such as Klonopin, are not used to treat pain. Klonopin contains the drug clonazepam , which is a Schedule IV controlled substance. Klonopin is not approved to treat alcohol withdrawal or depression. But the drug may be used off-label to treat alcohol withdrawal. Klonopin is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine.

Other benzodiazepines are more commonly used to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Examples of these drugs include chlordiazepoxide Librium , diazepam Valium , and lorazepam Ativan. In one study , traces of clonazepam the active drug in Klonopin were detected in urine tests for 3 to 4 weeks after a single dose. Klonopin contains the drug clonazepam , which belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Clonazepam and other benzodiazepines work by increasing the levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid. This chemical sends signals between brain cells. These drugs are thought to make brain cells less sensitive to stimulation, producing a calming effect.

This calming action makes clonazepam an effective option for preventing and treating seizures or panic attacks. Klonopin typically produces a calming effect within 1 to 4 hours. The half-life of Klonopin is 30 to 40 hours.

Keep in mind that traces of the drug can be detected in certain urine tests for up to 1 month after your last dose. Other drugs are available that can treat seizure disorders or panic disorder. Some may be a better fit for you than others. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you. Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Klonopin can cause withdrawal and physical dependence. In fact, the drug has a boxed warning for these risks.

A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. Taking Klonopin can lead to physical dependence.

Klonopin treatment can also lead to withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. These effects can happen especially if you take the drug often, long term, or in high dosages before stopping treatment.

To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor will typically taper off gradually reduce your Klonopin dosage very slowly, usually over several weeks or months. For example, you doctor may reduce your dosage by 0. Even short-term use of Klonopin as little as 3 to 6 weeks at prescribed dosages can cause physical dependence and withdrawal.

The severity of the withdrawal can also vary. The first phase is acute short-term withdrawal. Symptoms may start within 1 to 3 days of your last dose. Acute withdrawal from Klonopin may last for a few weeks.

This second phase can last for weeks or months. Some symptoms may happen for more than 12 months. You should not suddenly stop taking Klonopin. You may wonder how Klonopin compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. To find out how clonazepam the active drug in Klonopin compares with Xanax alprazolam , see this article. Taking Klonopin and drinking alcohol can increase your risk for dangerous side effects.

These include excessive sleepiness, respiratory depression slowed, shallow breathing , coma , and in some cases, death. The use of drugs called benzodiazepines , including Klonopin, can lead to misuse and physical dependence. The safest option is to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Klonopin. Another option is to talk with your doctor. Klonopin can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects.

For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the number of side effects or make them more severe. Below is a list of some medications that can interact with Klonopin.

This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Klonopin. Before taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. Some drugs in this list are commonly prescribed to treat the same conditions as Klonopin. They may also monitor you more closely during your treatment.

Central nervous system CNS depressants. Klonopin, which is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine , can cause CNS depression.