Bipolar Disorder Treatment Side Effects of Klonopin (Clonazepam) Knowing When Its Time to Call Your Physician or 911 By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 28, 2023 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print LAGUNA DESIGN / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Side Effects Withdrawal Effects Overdose Effects Trending Videos Close this video player Klonopin (clonazepam) is a prescription medication approved to help treat panic disorder and certain types of seizures. Rivotril is another brand name for clonazepam in some other countries. If you've been prescribed Klonopin, it's important to educate yourself about the possible side effects, which range from mild to serious. This helps you know what to expect when taking this medication, as well as being able to identify which Klonopin or Rivotril side effects require medical attention. The Most Important Things to Know About Klonopin/Rivotril While rare, serious side effects can occur when taking Klonopin—especially when mixing this drug with opioids or alcohol.It is possible to overdose on Klonopin, which can also result in serious side effects.Using Klonopin for extended periods can lead to dependence, potentially causing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug. The 13 Best Online Therapy Services That Are Tried, Tested, and Expert-Approved Side Effects of Klonopin Some Klonopin side effects are common and rather mild while others are more serious, requiring immediate medical attention. Common Side Effects Some of the most common Klonopin side effects include: DrowsinessDepressionDizzinessNervousnessTrouble walking or with balanceReduced intellectual ability Many of these effects are mild and will resolve on their own as your body adjusts to the medication. Generally, this takes a couple of weeks to occur. If any of these common side effects become severe or fail to go away over time, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may lower the dose of your prescription to ease the effects or, alternatively, switch you to a different panic disorder medication. Serious Side Effects While rare, Klonopin can cause serious side effects. If you or a loved one experience any of these effects, call your healthcare provider or 911 right away: Hives or rashHoarsenessSwelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throatTrouble swallowing Some studies have found that roughly one in 500 people taking clonazepam developed suicidal thoughts and behaviors after starting this drug. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to any mental health changes that might occur, particularly when beginning treatment. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Combining benzodiazepines with alcohol or opioid drugs can also lead to serious side effects, even potentially death. Symptoms of a dangerous interaction include extreme sleepiness, slowed breathing, and unresponsiveness. If any of these occur, medical attention is needed immediately. Withdrawal Symptoms for Klonopin If you take Klonopin for even just a few days, it is possible to develop a physical dependence. This can cause you to experience certain withdrawal effects when discontinuing its use. Some of the more common Klonopin withdrawal symptoms include: IrritabilityNervousnessTrouble sleeping These symptoms are usually manageable and eventually resolve as the daily dosage is decreased. However, sometimes withdrawal symptoms can last for a long time, or longer than expected. Never suddenly stop taking Klonopin without your physician's approval, especially if you've been prescribed it for some time. If you do need to stop, your healthcare provider will generally reduce your dosage gradually to wean you off treatment. When to Call Your Doctor Some benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening. Call your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience any of the following, more serious symptoms of withdrawal: Abdominal crampsConfusionDepressionHallucinationsIncreased sensitivity to touch or painLight sensitivityMuscle crampsNausea or vomitingParanoia or abnormal thoughtsProfuse sweatingRapid heartbeatSeizuresSound sensitivityTingling, burning, or prickly sensations Severe withdrawal symptoms are more likely to occur in individuals taking high doses of Klonopin over extended periods. Overdose of Klonopin If you think that someone has overdosed on Klonopin, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room as this can be lethal. You can also call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or go to the Poison Control website for immediate advice and assistance. Call 911 for Overdose Symptoms Signs of Klonopin overdose include:ConfusionPoor coordinationSlow reflexesUnresponsiveness or coma Overdose treatment may involve gastric lavage (emptying the stomach), intravenous fluids, mechanical ventilation, and medications such as Romazicon (flumazenil) to reverse the sedative effects and Levarterenol (norepinephrine) to treat a dangerous drop in blood pressure if present. Summary While some people can take Klonopin with no issues, others experience side effects. Certain effects can also occur if you take too much Klonopin or when discontinuing its use. This is important to know because it is possible to develop a dependence on Klonopin, and benzodiazepines in general are associated with misuse and abuse. Increased use can lead to more serious side effects, with some of these effects potentially life-threatening. If you find that you are taking more Klonopin than prescribed, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you find ways to manage your health condition without also developing a dependence on this drug. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. 7 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Klonopin label. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Clonazepam (Klonopin). National Library of Medicine. Clonazepam. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA warns about serious risks and death when combining opioid pain or cough medicines with benzodiazepines; requires its strongest warning. Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, et al. The efficacy and safety of clonazepam in patients with anxiety disorder taking newer antidepressants: A multicenter naturalistic study. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016;14(2):177-83. doi:10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177 Edinoff AN, Nix CA, Hollier J, et al. Benzodiazepines: Uses, dangers, and clinical considerations. Neurol Int. 2021;13(4):594-607. doi:10.3390/neurolint13040059 Kacirova I, Grundmann M, Silhan P, Brozmanova H. A case report of clonazepam dependence. Med (Baltimore). 2016;95(9):e2881. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002881 By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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