Clonazepam, like all other benzodiazepines, possesses a myriad of side effects that present with its use. Side effects of Clonazepam are sometimes even present when taken in prescribed doses. The list below includes common effects and symptoms that need prompt or emergency assessment:
- Drowsiness: As Clonazepam acts by reducing the activity of the Central Nervous System, associated with enhanced GABA activity which produces a tranquilizing effect so drowsiness is frequently encountered due to the sedative and relaxing effect of the drug.
- Movement problems: Since Clonazepam slows the brain’s functioning, it results in impaired coordination that results in falls and movement problems.
- Dizziness: Individuals using Clonazepam usually feel dizzy and fatigued even after a night of rested sleep.
- Memory impairment: This is a condition in which an individual has a hampered memory and finds it difficult to retain new information. This is a side effect of Clonazepam as it reduces the neuronal excitement n the brain and acts as a central nervous system depressant reducing the brain’s ability to memorize and store information.
- Sleep-related activities: Unusual behavior during sleep, such as cooking or driving without later recollection, needs prompt medical assessment. Avoid driving or hazardous tasks if affected.
- Disorientation: Since the brain is not alert under the effect of Clonazepam, the individual feels disoriented.
- Slurred speech: It is commonly seen in individuals who use a central nervous system depressant because there is slowing of motor skills such as speech which results in slurring of speech.
- Shallow breathing: Slowed or difficult breathing, profound sleepiness or inability to wake requires emergency services, especially with opioids, alcohol or other sedatives.
- Difficulty concentrating: When the brain is working at less than its optimum limit, because of a decrease in its activity caused by the action of Clonazepam, the individual finds it very hard to focus on things since the brain is not alert since Clonazepam has sedative properties.
- Insomnia: Sleep disturbances can occur; discuss persistent insomnia with your prescriber.
- Confusion: New or worsening confusion needs medical review; sudden severe confusion or difficulty waking requires emergency help.
- Hallucination: New hallucinations need urgent medical assessment; seek emergency help if there is severe confusion, unsafe behavior or immediate danger.
- Unusual heartbeat: A racing or irregular heartbeat needs prompt medical review; chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness requires emergency help.
The following concerns are not inevitable or confined to long-term use; their cause and severity need individual assessment:
- Memory loss
- Weakness
- Dry mouth
- Hoarseness with sudden face, mouth or throat swelling or trouble swallowing requires emergency help
- Paranoia
- Increased risk of falls, injuries, and car-crash accidents
- Overdose
- Tolerance
- Physiological dependence
- Addiction
- Poly-substance Abuse
- Aggression
- Hostility
- Anti-social behavior
- Pregnancy risks requiring individualized review
- Withdrawal symptoms
Since Clonazepam is a habit-forming drug it is often prescribed for a short duration of time to limit risks, although dependence can develop even at prescribed doses. Tolerance, physical dependence and addiction are distinct; dependence alone does not establish addiction. Tolerance may reduce the effect over time; do not increase the dose yourself, and ask your prescriber to review treatment. Physical dependence can develop with repeated use and may cause withdrawal if the dose is reduced or stopped.
Is Clonazepam an Addictive drug?
Clonazepam enhances GABA activity. Physical dependence can develop with repeated use, and abrupt stopping or rapid dose reduction can cause severe withdrawal, including seizures. Do not change the dose or stop without prescriber advice.
One of the most feared long-term side effects of Clonazepam is abuse and addiction to the drug which means that despite knowing and experiencing the negative effects of the drug, the individual feels a compulsion to continue taking the drug. This leads to a vicious cycle of abuse that can have fatal consequences, such as an overdose of Clonazepam. Contact a poison service or urgent medical care immediately for a suspected overdose; call emergency services for collapse, seizures, breathing difficulty or inability to wake.
If you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, promptly review the benefits and risks with your prescriber; clonazepam may still be needed, especially for epilepsy. Do not stop or change it yourself. Late-pregnancy exposure can cause newborn sedation, breathing or feeding problems, or withdrawal, requiring monitoring.
Benzodiazepines such as Clonazepam are known to cause low blood pressure. Clonazepam enhances GABA activity; its effects on blood pressure vary with the person and other medicines.
In research conducted on benzodiazepine consumption and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure was recorded in patients older than 60 years of age.
Individuals using Clonazepam (Klonopin) struggle with insomnia throughout the night, and they are left feeling tired and fatigued the next morning, unable to keep their eyes open during the day. This leads to daytime sleepiness and a state of constant drowsiness throughout the day.
For some individuals who get a proper night of sleep after Clonazepam, sleepiness, and drowsiness are still present since the brain is fatigued after Clonazepam use.
Certain physical side effects are associated with the long-term use of Clonazepam. They are as follows:
- Body aches
- An ear infection that can develop due to the collection of fluid in the ear
- The immune system gets weakened
- Urinary tract infection
- Joint pain
- Decreased sex drive
- Memory impairment
- Tremors
- Chest pain that is sudden and persistent, spreading, or accompanied by breathlessness, sweating or nausea requires emergency help
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Clonazepam causes a list of psychological and behavioral alterations in individuals using this drug. These side effects are as follows:
- Visual, tactile, and auditory hallucinations
- Depression
- Depersonalization
- Anxiousness
- Irrational thoughts that they are being controlled by someone
- Sense of worry that other people can read their mind
- Vivid nightmares
- Inability to suppress or control the negative thoughts or behavior
- Lack of interest in activities that earlier used to cause them joy
- Extreme mood swings
- Excitement without any reason
- Unexplained anger and rage
- Being emotionally numb
- Coldness toward others
- Nervousness
- Suicidal thoughts require prompt crisis support; call emergency services if there is immediate danger or you cannot stay safe
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Behave in a strange way that is not part of their character
- Anxiousness
