How much clonazepam should i take

However, a person should be sure to take the dosage the doctor prescribes for them. The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause their body to process drugs more slowly.

As a result, more of a drug stays in their body for a longer time. This raises their risk of side effects. Their doctor may start them on a lowered dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in their body. Clonazepam oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with risks if a person does not take it as prescribed.

If they stop taking it suddenly, they may have symptoms of withdrawal. These include irritability, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. If a person takes too much: They could have dangerous levels of the drug in their body.

Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:. If a person thinks they have taken too much of this drug, they should call their doctor or local poison control center. If their symptoms are severe, they should call or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if a person misses a dose: A person usually should take a missed dose as soon as they remember. But if they remember just a few hours before their next scheduled dose, take only one dose. They should never try to catch up by taking two doses at once.

This could result in dangerous side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: A person should have fewer panic attacks or seizures. Clonazepam is a central nervous system CNS depressant. Clonazepam can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior thoughts or actions of harming oneself.

A person should tell their doctor if they have worsening depression , suicidal thoughts or behavior, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. A person may have slowed reflexes, poor judgment, and sleepiness. This can be dangerous. If a person drinks alcohol, they should talk to their doctor. If a person has an allergic reaction, they should call their doctor or local poison control center right away.

If their symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room. A person should not take this drug again they have ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal cause death. If a person has worsening symptoms of depression or any suicidal thoughts thoughts of harming themself , call the doctor right away. For people with acute narrow angle glaucoma : A person should not take this drug if they have acute narrow angle glaucoma.

It can make the condition worse. For people with liver disease: If a person has liver problems, their body may not be able to clear this drug well. This can cause the drug to build up in the body. This puts them at a higher risk for side effects.

For pregnant women: Clonazepam is a category D pregnancy drug. That means two things:. A person should talk to their doctor if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. A person should call their doctor right away if they become pregnant while taking this drug. In addition, if you take other medications besides Klonopin, you should be aware of how these medications could affect one another.

Interactions between medications can be mild, moderate, or severe, and they are not limited to prescription medications.

You also need to be aware of any over-the-counter products, herbs, or supplements that are not safe to take with Klonopin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if it is safe to take your medications or supplements with Klonopin. Klonopin poses a serious risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction. This can lead to overdose and even death—particularly when other substances are used at the same time, such as opioids or alcohol.

There is also risk of physical and psychological dependence when you are taking Klonopin. Taking the medication daily for longer than two weeks increases your risk of developing physical dependence.

Stopping Klonopin suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms , such as seizures, which can be life-threatening. If you want to reduce or stop your dose, talk to your doctor.

They can guide you to slowly take less of the medication over time, an approach known as tapering. Never stop taking Klonopin abruptly without talking to your doctor, even if you are experiencing side effects. People who are older might be more likely to experience medication side effects, including those that commonly occur with benzodiazepine use.

Older people have also had increased risks of falling and negative cognitive effects. When you start taking Klonopin, avoid activities that could be dangerous to you or others until you have adjusted to the medication. Wait until you know how you feel taking it and how it affects your body before you:.

There are several types, or classes, of prescription drugs that should be used with significant caution when combined with Klonopin. These include:. Several specific prescription medications are known to interact with Klonopin.

These medications can change how much Klonopin is in your body as well as how well the drug works. Medications that may increase the levels and effects of Klonopin include:. Medications that may decrease the levels and effects of Klonopin include:. Some people with social anxiety disorder also take an antidepressant. The effects of Klonopin may be intensified if they are combined with other drugs or alcohol.

Make sure that you tell your doctor about all the medications you take as well as any substances you use—including any over-the-counter products, herbal remedies, and supplements.

Over-the-counter OTC medicines or herbal supplements or remedies could interact with Klonopin. Examples include:. Also, grapefruit juice may pose a risk. Grapefruit contains compounds that can change how certain medications work. You might not have to give it up completely, but your doctor might advise you to limit how much you have. Check in with them to see if you should avoid it while taking Klonopin. If you have medication that you do not need, make sure you know how to dispose of it properly.

Prescription medications cannot necessarily be tossed in your trash or flushed down the drain. When medications are disposed of improperly, they can harm people, animals, and the environment. For example, drugs that are flushed down the toilet end up in the local water supply, and when medications are thrown out in the garbage, they could find their way to a person who would be harmed by taking them or end up on the street where they would be sold illegally.

To help prevent these outcomes, many hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other community organizations offer take-back programs for unused or expired medications. If your doctor has not given you instructions about what to do with unused Klonopin, ask a pharmacist. They can tell you how to properly dispose of your medication.

If you are prescribed Klonopin for SAD, your doctor has decided that it has the potential to be a positive part of your treatment plan. If you have any questions or concerns about the medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If you don't feel that Klonopin is helping you with your symptoms or you are experiencing intolerable side effects, there are other medications and treatment options you can try.

In addition to medication, your doctor might recommend therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , during which you work with a therapist to learn how to monitor and alter your thought patterns and behaviors to help you handle situations in a more adaptive way. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to be effective for some people with SAD and other mental health conditions.

Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options. Front Psychiatry. Cleveland Clinic. Anxiety disorders. Reviewed December 17, American Psychiatric Association. If this is the case, a person should talk to their doctor, who can make an alternative recommendation. Following a ruling by the Affordable Care Act, Medicare now includes coverage for Xanax in their prescription drug coverage. Read more here.

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