Rivotril (Clonazepam) Side Effects

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.

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.

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:

• Drowsiness
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Trouble walking or with balance
• Reduced 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 rash
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Trouble 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:

• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Trouble 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 cramps
• Confusion
• Depression
• Hallucinations
• Increased sensitivity to touch or pain
• Light sensitivity
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea or vomiting
• Paranoia or abnormal thoughts
• Profuse sweating
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seizures
• Sound sensitivity
• Tingling, 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:

• Confusion
• Poor coordination
• Slow reflexes
• Unresponsiveness 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.