Published on 23 April 2022

Is Klonopin addictive?

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is-klonopin-addictive
Table of Contents

Seizures have been common global conditions among adults and children, also called neurological diseases. It has affected almost millions of people in the USA. The seizure condition that causes recurrently is known as epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the oldest forms of the condition people suffer from.

If you have suffered Seizures once, it doesn't mean you have had epilepsy. There are various signs and symptoms of epilepsy, such as:

  • It depends on where the pain started in the brain
  • Loss of awareness, consciousness, and other cognitive functions are temporary symptoms
  • People with epilepsy still suffer from anxiety, depression, or other psychological conditions.
  • Premature deaths are possible in people who have been suffering from epilepsy. 

So, when they suffer from such conditions, they choose Klonopin medicine to deal with them. Know whether would the Klonopin medicine would be addictive or not.

What Is Klonopin?

As every medicine helps to treat a condition, it also helps to deal with other conditions in the form of off-label. As an On-label use, Klonopin is taken; it helps to treat conditions such as panic disorders and seizures.

This medication can also be used as a combination therapy, which means it can be consumed with other medicine but only with a doctor's prescription. As an off-label use, it is used to consume drugs to treat conditions such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, Tardive Dyskinesia, and acute mania. 

How Does Klonopin Work?

Klonopin belongs to the drug class of benzodiazepines. Every medication that belongs to this drug class works the same. The working pattern of the medicines only differs when it comes to a different drug class. 

Regarding Klonopin, it works by raising the chemicals in the brain that gives a calming effect. This is known as GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid). The working pattern of the medicine will differ according to the medical conditions and the body's capacity to absorb the medicine. 

Once the medicine starts working, you can see the changes in the anxiety levels, improving seizures, and fits. Other than that, it can also help in relieving conditions such as restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms. 

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the condition, but when it comes to treating seizures, it will take a few days to see the full effects.
If you stop the medication abruptly, you will face severe side effects.
No, it is advisable not to use heavy machinery or even ride any vehicle because you may lose concentration.

Is Klonopin Addictive?

Klonopin is one of the highly addictive benzodiazepine drugs. Tolerance, dependence, and addiction are all common side effects of benzodiazepines. Klonopin is a potentially addictive Benzodiazepine, with some patients developing Klonopin addiction as soon as a few weeks after beginning treatment. 

By taking only the quantity suggested by their doctor, many people have become addicted to Klonopin. When an individual becomes addicted to a drug, their brain loses its ability to develop sensations of relaxation and calmness. This is why Klonopin addicts have difficulty quitting and can't function normally when they don't have it.

Signs Of Klonopin Addiction Include

  • Persistent cravings for Klonopin.
  • Continued Klonopin use despite the negative consequences.
  • A desire to quit but not being able to.
  • Losing interest in social or professional obligations.

Klonopin addiction develops when users tolerate the medication, requiring higher dosages to achieve the same effects as before with lower amounts. Some users then begin to take more than their prescriptions or use the medicine solely to get euphoric.

Study On The Safety And Addictive Factors Of Klonopin

Aim: This study aimed to compare Clonazepam's efficacy and tolerability in patients with anxiety disorders to that of other benzodiazepines.

Findings: There were no variations in demographic parameters between the three benzodiazepine groups among 180 patients. All benzodiazepine groups exhibited significant improvements in CGI-S, CGI-anxiety, and CGI-sleep ratings after six weeks of therapy (p0.001). The benzodiazepine groups had no differences in mean changes in CGI-S, CGI-anxiety, or CGI-sleep. Compared to the other benzodiazepines, side effects were much lower in the Clonazepam group.

Conclusion: Clonazepam appears to be as effective as other benzodiazepines in treating Anxiety disorders in this investigation. Furthermore, Clonazepam had a better Safety profile than the other benzodiazepines in this study.

Klonopin Abuse 

Using Klonopin without a valid prescription is considered abusing the drug. Klonopin depresses the central nervous system when used in higher quantities than prescribed (CNS). A blurry, drunken stupor follows a brief euphoric "high." To enhance the effects of Klonopin, some people crush the tablets into a fine powder and snort it.

Side Effects Of Klonopin

Side effects occur when you consume more than recommended or due to any other health conditions. It also might cause you because the medicine does not affect you positively. Side effects can be cured if you take proper precautions and inform your doctor quickly if you suffer from any side effects.

Dizziness Confusion
Vertigo Slowed reaction time
Fainting Impaired judgment
Numbness Reduced libido

Report On Klonopin Overdose?

Between 1999 and 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered benzodiazepines, including Klonopin, were involved in 17% of opioid overdose deaths. Klonopin and other benzodiazepines are commonly taken with opioids, alcohol, or both to enhance relaxing pleasure and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

Mixing medicines raises the danger of overdose because the strength of all the drugs involved is often increased; especially with a high-dose, long-acting substance like Klonopin, overdose is a distinct possibility. According to 2005 research on emergency room visits, benzodiazepines accounted for 34% of all visits for prescription drug addiction.

A Klonopin addiction might make you feel alone and alone, but treatment is available. To get rehab-related assistance, contact a treatment provider. 

Klonopin's Drug Interactions

If you consume drugs that interact with other medicine, you will be under severe problems. Your body might give you all the adverse effects and can cause you to suffer a lot. Do not consume medicine that interacts with Klonopin, such as.

  • Orlistat
  • Sodium Oxybate
  • Ambien
  • Lexapro
  • Omeprazole
  • Flexeril
  • Cymbalta

There are other medicines as well; you must consult your doctor first to get the correct information before getting the medication. This would be beneficial for you to be safe and not get affected.

Also Read

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

Till now, you might have known that the addictive components present in medicine cause a significant loss to the body. When any medication has addictive properties, the very first thing you should do is consult a doctor for a prescription. 

Medicine deals with conditions that can cause severe effects, so you should be cautious while consuming the drug. If you have been observing any adverse change in terms of side effects, do connect with your doctor so that it is helpful for you to deal with it as soon as possible. 

  • Song, Lin, et al. "Clonazepam add?on therapy for drug?resistant epilepsy." Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 4 (2020). From https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012253.pub3 Obtain on 22/04/2022
  • Wang SM, Kim JB, Sakong JK, Suh HS, Oh KS, Woo JM, Yoo SW, Lee SM, Lee SY, Lim SW, Cho SJ, Chee IS, Chae JH, Hong JP, Lee KU. The Efficacy and Safety of Clonazepam in Patients with Anxiety Disorder Taking Newer Antidepressants: A Multicenter Naturalistic Study. Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci. 2016 May 31;14(2):177-83. From  https://doi.org/10.9758/cpn.2016.14.2.177  PMID: 27121429; PMCID: PMC4857865. Obtain on 22/04/2022