The NHS has issued guidance for anyone currently prescribed clonazepam, a widely-used medication from the benzodiazepine family. The health service states that this drug is commonly prescribed to help manage seizures or fits caused by epilepsy, involuntary muscle spasms, and panic disorders.

However, it is also given to those suffering from restless legs syndrome (RLS) with NHS inform highlighting that “as many as 1 in 10 people are affected by restless legs syndrome at some point in their life.”

The NHS clarifies: It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This can relieve anxiety, stop seizures and fits or relax tense muscles.“

Available only by prescription, the medication can be taken in either tablet or liquid form. Most adults over 18 can take both tablets and liquid, whilst children as young as one month old may be prescribed it for epilepsy treatment. However, if you’re scheduled for surgery, dental work, are expecting a baby, trying to conceive, or have a sleep disorder, you might need to discontinue use. But this isn’t the only group that should exercise caution.

Clonazepam is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, you should tell your doctor before starting to take clonazepam if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or any other medicine
  • have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness
  • have sleep apnoea, a condition that causes breathing problems when you’re asleep
  • have lung, liver or kidney problems
  • have spinal or cerebellar ataxia, where you may become shaky and unsteady and have slurred speech
  • have ever had problems with alcohol or drugs
  • have recently had a loss or bereavement, depression or thoughts of harming yourself or suicide
  • have been diagnosed with a personality disorder
  • are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding
  • are going to be put to sleep (have a general anaesthetic) for an operation or dental treatment

What are the side effects of clonazepam?

Clonazepam can have some common side effects that affect more than 1 in 100 people. These may include disturbed sleep (such as vivid dreams), daytime drowsiness, feeling light-headed, unsteady or dizzy, and muscle weakness.

Discussing long-term side effects, it’s highlighted that “clonazepam can cause withdrawal symptoms if you take it for a long time.” Bearing this in mind, the NHS emphasises that if you’re prescribed clonazepam for over 4 weeks, your dose may be gradually reduced when you stop taking it to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

However, these are not all the side effects of clonazepam, warns the NHS. For a comprehensive list, they advise people to see the leaflet inside their medicine packet.

It happens rarely, but some people can have serious side effects when taking clonazepam. Call a doctor or call 111 now if:

  • the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this could be a sign of liver problems
  • you see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations) or think things that are not true (delusions)
  • you have problems with your coordination or controlling your movements
  • you have swollen ankles, a racing heartbeat, a cough and feel tired – this could be a sign of heart problems
  • you bruise easily, feel tired, have nosebleeds and have breathlessness – this could be a sign of blood problems
  • you notice mood changes such as talking more than usual or feeling overexcited, restless, irritable or aggressive – these side effects are more likely in children or if you’re over 65
  • Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have difficulty remembering things (amnesia).
  • In rare cases, clonazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
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Call 999 now if:

  • your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
  • you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
  • your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
  • you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • someone faints and cannot be woken up
  • a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

For more commonly asked questions about clonazepam you can visit the NHS website here.