Clonazepam Side Effects (Klonopin, Rivotril)

Most commonly, clonazepam, which is an anti-anxiety drug in the benzodiazepine family, can make you feel clumsy or unsteady on your feet or make you dizzy, drowsy or light-headed. Less common or rare side effects can be more problematic and are also listed below.

Clonazepam is generally prescribed to treat conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. These and other anxiety disorders may frequently co-occur with bipolar disorder, and anxiety can also be a bipolar symptom. If you're taking this drug, which is sometimes sold under the brand names Klonopin and Rivotril, you should be aware of the potential side effects.

Clonazepam Side Effects:

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

Common: Clumsiness or unsteadiness; dizziness or light-headedness; 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 this or any other 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 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 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.