Klonopin / Clonazepam Side Effects

Clonazepam - sold under the brand names Klonopin and Rivotril - is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family which may be prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, including the anxiety associated with bipolar disorder. People taking clonazepam, Klonopin or Rivotril should be aware of the potential side effects of this drug.

Clonazepam Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

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; dryness of mouth or increased thirst; false sense of well-being; headache; increased bronchial secretions or watering of mouth; muscle spasm; nausea or vomiting; problems with urination; trembling or shaking; unusual tiredness or weakness

Always notify your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Less Common: Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly); fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat; lack of memory of events taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with triazolam) ; mental depression

Rare: Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality; agitation; behavior changes, including aggressive behavior, bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger; convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); hypotension (low blood pressure); muscle weakness; skin rash or itching; sore throat, fever, and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); 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

Potential Withdrawal Effects - notify your doctor immediately if you experience any of the less common or rare side effects:

More common: Irritability; nervousness; trouble in sleeping

Less common: Abdominal or stomach cramps; confusion; fast or pounding heartbeat; increased sense of hearing; increased sensitivity to touch and pain; increased sweating; loss of sense of reality; mental depression; muscle cramps; nausea or vomiting; sensitivity of eyes to light; tingling, burning, or prickly sensations; trembling or shaking

Rare: Confusion as to time, place, or person; convulsions (seizures); feelings of suspicion or distrust; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there)

Clonazepam Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor Immediately:

Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures); drowsiness (severe) or coma; shakiness; slow heartbeat; slow reflexes; slurred speech (continuing); staggering; troubled breathing; weakness (severe)

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other side effects, check with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor or with the prescription from the manufacturer.