Klonopin is an anxiolytic, also called anti-anxiety medications, in the benzodiazepine drug class. It is also a longer-acting sedative.1 However, it has many risks, such as the potential for misuse and addiction, which can make it hard to get a prescription. If you have tried other medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for panic disorder, your doctor may prescribe Klonopin as a treatment.
What is Klonopin (Clonazepam) & How Does it Work?
Klonopin is a benzodiazepine used for panic disorder and seizure disorders.2 It treats anxiety symptoms in panic disorder by giving fast relief. Klonopin causes feelings of calmness and relaxation while decreasing the frequency and intensity of anxiety and panic disorders. Klonopin is the brand name and clonazepam is the generic name. They are prescribed for the same uses and have the same dosage forms.
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Side Effects of Klonopin
Some people who take Klonopin may experience side effects due to the direct action of the medication and side effects can range from mild to severe. You should discuss Klonopin side effects with your doctor if after a week or two of taking it, side effects are still having a negative impact on your daily life or they are severe.
Common side effects of Klonopin may include:2
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Abnormal coordination
- Impaired cognitive function
- Decreased libido
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Depression
- Constipation
Do I Need to Get a Klonopin Prescription?
You may benefit from Klonopin for treating anxiety. If your doctor prescribes this medication for you, it’s important that you also use natural approaches to easing anxiety, such as exercise, yoga, or meditation. Other methods that may help include deep breathing exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy. A doctor may consider using Klonopin for treatment rather than psychotherapy options or anxiety medications.
Who Shouldn’t Get Klonopin Prescribed
There are some conditions that may be contraindications for using Klonopin. Your doctor might consider using a different treatment method or would use Klonopin only with extreme caution in certain circumstance.
People who should avoid Klonopin include:
- Children 17 and younger
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- People with substance use disorders
- People with reduced lung, kidney, or liver function
- People with depression or bipolar disorder
- People with decreased cognitive or motor function
- People that can’t break down phenylalanine, an amino acid that is part of some proteins
How to Get Prescribed Klonopin
Klonopin is only available via prescription by authorized medical professionals and is typically an anxiety medication used after many SSRIs have been tried. You can get it from your doctor or psychiatrist. They will make sure that Klonopin is right for you based on your medical history, social habits, and other medications since it can be dangerous. You may also want to consider using online psychiatry services.
Follow these steps when considering a Klonopin prescription:
- Talk to your doctor about your anxiety: It is important to let your doctor know what’s going on.
- Describe your symptoms thoroughly: Based on your symptoms, your doctor can decide which kind of anxiety you have. Then, they will know which medications to choose from.
- Consider costs and insurance coverage: Your doctor will see if you have mental health insurance for medication. If it costs too much, see if there is a manufacturer coupon or if you can be prescribed a generic version. .
- Schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist: Most doctors will want you to see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist, to make sure you are getting the correct care.
- Schedule an appointment with a therapist: The best treatment for mental health is to combine medication with therapy. If your insurance covers therapy, you should find a therapist that specializes in the areas you need help with.
Who Can Prescribe Klonopin?
You can get Klonopin from a primary care provider, a psychiatrist, or a nurse practitioner. Psychologists may be allowed to prescribe medication in some states.
Medical professionals who can prescribe Klonopin include:
- Primary care provider: Klonopin can be discussed at a regular check-in appointment.
- Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist can prescribe Klonopin but might not offer therapy services. You should schedule an appointment with a therapist for therapy services.
- Nurse practitioners: Under a physician’s guidance, a nurse practitioner can prescribe medications, including Klonopin.
- Other mental health professionals: Psychologists are sometimes not able to prescribe medications.
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How to Get Klonopin Prescribed Online
If you are getting your mental health care online, you can get a prescription for Klonopin if your provider thinks it would be beneficial for managing your condition. Having difficult conversations about mental health symptoms may be easier when done online, and this approach doesn’t require travel time to get a prescription.
Getting Klonopin Prescribed Online If You Don’t Have a Prescription Yet
Currently, you can get new prescriptions for controlled medications online.4 Klonopin is a controlled drug, a prescription drug that has the potential to be misused. You can do this with a local provider, an online psychiatrist, or a company like Talkiatry. Like other appointments, schedule with a physician to discuss your symptoms of anxiety and consider whether getting a prescription for Klonopin would be helpful.
Getting Klonopin Prescribed Online If You Have a Prescription
You can also get a prescription filled online if you already have a prescription. You can do this with a local provider or a company like Hims Mental Health and Hers Mental Health. The process is similar to other online or in-person appointments. Your office may have you wait in an online waiting room and then you will meet with your doctor.
What If I Can’t Get a Klonopin Prescription?
Klonopin may not be right for everyone, and it might not be right for you. If you are having anxiety, you should tell your doctor about your symptoms and how they affect your life. They will recommend a combination of therapy, medication, and natural alternatives for treating anxiety. Be sure to pay attention to your symptoms and follow up with your doctor to discuss whether the treatment is helping or not. Also, you can try natural alternatives to treating anxiety. Avoid doctor shopping or medication seeking if you don’t receive a prescription. Also, do not use prescriptions from friends or family as you may not be physically suitable for their specific Klonopin dosage.
How to Take Klonopin
Klonopin comes as tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs). Tablets come as 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg, with orally disintegrating tablets also as 0.125 mg.2, 3 The dose is started at 0.25 mg by mouth twice daily. Take your medications regularly for the most consistent outcome.
Tablets of Klonopin should be taken whole with water unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. Orally disintegrating tablets should be placed on the tongue and dissolved before swallowing. Both types of tablets can be taken with or without food. Orally disintegrating tablets should also be kept in the packaging they are given with. Do not open the packaging until ready to take the tablet.
How Fast Can Klonopin Work for Anxiety?
Klonopin is a longer-acting benzodiazepine, so it may take longer than other anxiety medications to work, but then will stay in your body for longer. It can start working within a few minutes and can take 1-4 hours to see the full effects.2 Factors that can affect the timeframe include if you have taken the medicine on a full stomach.
Which anxiety medications can help you feel better?
There are many effective medications for anxiety including Zoloft and Lexapro, which a Plushcare doctor can prescribe. In as little as 15 minutes, you can speak with a board-certified doctor from PlushCare to receive anxiety treatment.
Plushcare DOES NOT prescribe controlled substances, including XANAX.
Can You Overdose on Klonopin?
Yes, a Klonopin overdose can occur, even when taking the prescribed amount.2 If you take too much or overdose on Klonopin, lay on your side to keep the airway open. In the case of an overdose, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. Symptoms of an overdosing on a benzodiazepine such as Klonopin include drowsiness, confusion, diminished reflexes, and coma.2
Addiction to Klonopin
The addiction potential of a benzodiazepine depends on how long you take it. However when used long-term, Klonopin can result in addiction, misuse, or dependence. It is recommended to only take Klonopin for no longer than a few months when used to treat panic disorder.2
Alternatives to Getting a Klonopin Prescription
If you decide you would like to try other anxiety options first, there are alternative natural remedies for anxiety that can be found in drugstores. Certain supplements may help ease anxiety, like matcha and L-theanine.5, 6 Other supplements that can help anxiety include magnesium7 and omega-3 fatty acids.8 High doses of B6 have also been shown to decrease anxiety by acting the same way as Klonopin.9
Drug Interactions With Klonopin
Klonopin’s chemical structure can have harmful interactions if combined with certain substances or medications because they can have similar actions.2 You should also provide your medication history to your doctor because it can help them decide if Klonopin is safe for you. It will help them know if you’ve had allergies or side effects to similar medications before.
Patients should not take Klonopin without prior guidance from a prescriber if they are taking medications such as:2
- Opioids: Opioids and Klonopin can dangerously impair muscle coordination, leading to difficulty breathing, coma, or death.
- Alcohol: Anti-anxiety medications and alcohol can affect your cognitive and motor function.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Klonopin and MAOIs can both reduce central nervous system function.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): Klonopin and TCAs can also interact and impact your central nervous system function.
- Other benzodiazepines: The side effects of benzodiazepines can be amplified when combined with each other and risk breathing impairment, coma, or death.
- Central Nervous System depressants: Other medications that can dangerously impact your function when combined with Klonopin include muscle relaxers, trazodone, and sleep aids.
- Anticonvulsants: When combined with Klonopin, anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine, can also impair cognitive and muscle function.
- Proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers: If taking the orally-disintegrating form, medications that increase your stomach’s pH, such as omeprazole and ranitidine, can lower the absorption of Klonopin.
Questions to Ask Your Health Team About How to Get Klonopin
If you have received a prescription for Klonopin, you might have questions. Ask your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist if Klonopin is right for you and if there are any side effects you are more likely to have. You can also discuss alternatives for treating anxiety.
Questions to ask your care team about getting a Klonopin prescription include:
- How often should I come for checkups?
- What common side effects will I likely experience when I start my Klonopin medication?
- How long will the medication’s side effects last?
- Should I be concerned about addiction and withdrawal symptoms of the medication?
- What are the best online psychiatry options?
- What are some alternatives to Klonopin?
- What should I do if Klonopin does not work for me?
- What will happen if I stop my medication abruptly?
- How long can I take Klonopin?
- How do I prevent addiction to Klonopin?
- What should I do if I feel like I am becoming addicted to Klonopin?
- Is it safe to take Klonopin with my other medications?
- Will Klonopin be covered by my insurance?
- Does my medical history increase my risk of side effects from Klonopin?
- How long can I expect side effects to last?
- How often should I see you for checkups while taking Klonopin?
- What should I do if I am unsure whether anti-anxiety medications are right for me?
In My Experience
It’s important to talk to your doctor about your anxiety because treatment can make a big difference. It’s also important to follow their guidance because they can help you take medication safely.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA.
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DailyMed. (2023) CLONAZEPAM tablet, orally disintegrating. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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DailyMed. (2023) KLONOPIN- clonazepam tablet. Retrieved from https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm
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United States Drug Enforcement Agency. (2023, February). DEA Announces Proposed Rules for Permanent Telemedicine Flexibilities. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2023/02/24/dea-announces-proposed-rules-permanent-telemedicine-flexibilities
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Unno, K., Furushima, D., Hamamoto, S., Iguchi, K., Yamada, H., Morita, A., Horie, H., & Nakamura, Y. (2018). Stress-Reducing Function of Matcha Green Tea in Animal Experiments and Clinical Trials. Nutrients, 10(10), 1468. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101468
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Hidese, S., Ogawa, S., Ota, M., Ishida, I., Yasukawa, Z., Ozeki, M., & Kunugi, H. (2019). Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11102362
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Noah, L., Dye, L., Bois De Fer, B., Mazur, A., Pickering, G., & Pouteau, E. (2021). Effect of magnesium and vitamin B6 supplementation on mental health and quality of life in stressed healthy adults: Post-hoc analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Stress and health : Journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress, 37(5), 1000–1009. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3051
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Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., Belury, M. A., Andridge, R., Malarkey, W. B., & Glaser, R. (2011). Omega-3 supplementation lowers inflammation and anxiety in medical students: a randomized controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 25(8), 1725–1734. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2011.07.229
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Field, D. T., Cracknell, R. O., Eastwood, J. R., Scarfe, P., Williams, C. M., Zheng, Y., & Tavassoli, T. (2022). High-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression. Human Psychopharmacology, 37(6), e2852. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2852
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