This article describes Klonopin’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Klonopin. If you want to know more about Klonopin, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Klonopin is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called clonazepam. This article describes dosages of Klonopin.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about certain risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The risks are:
- risk of misuse and addiction
- risk of dependence and withdrawal
- risk of serious harm if taken with opioids
For more information about the risk of dependence and withdrawal, see the “Withdrawal from Klonopin” section below. For more information about the other risks, see the end of this article.
Form and strengths of Klonopin
Klonopin comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, 2 mg
Dosage of Klonopin
This article describes the recommended dosages for Klonopin. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Klonopin without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Klonopin in adults
Doctors prescribe Klonopin to treat certain types of seizure disorders in adults. The types are atonic, myoclonic, and Lennox-Gastaut. They also prescribe it to treat panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. (Agoraphobia is an unusual fear of being helpless in certain situations. A person experiencing this may feel panicked or anxious and may avoid these situations.)
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Klonopin. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Klonopin that gives the desired outcome.
The following table shows the recommended dosages of Klonopin in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| seizure disorders | 0.5 mg taken 3 times per day | 20 mg per day |
| panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 0.25 mg taken 2 times per day | 4 mg per day |
Dosages of Klonopin in children
Doctors prescribe Klonopin for certain types of seizure disorders in children ages 1 month through 17 years. The types are atonic, myoclonic, and Lennox-Gastaut. The dosage depends on your child’s age and sometimes weight.
The following table shows the recommended dosages of Klonopin for children. Some dosages are in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Age or body weight | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| ages 11–17 years | 0.5 mg taken 3 times per day | 20 mg per day |
| • ages 1 month through 10 years, or • weight of 30 kg (66 lb) or less | 0.01–0.03 mg/kg per day, divided into 2 or 3 doses to be taken every 8–12 hours | 0.2 mg/kg per day |
For example, assume a doctor prescribes Klonopin for an 8-year-old child weighing 25 kg (about 55 lb). The doctor prescribes 0.02 mg/kg. So the child’s dosage would be 0.5 mg per day. This would be divided into two or three doses to be taken every 8–12 hours.
Dosage adjustments for Klonopin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Klonopin based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- weight (for children)
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of Klonopin
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Klonopin. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Klonopin and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Klonopin and its dosage.
What’s considered a high dose or low dose of Klonopin?
Klonopin is available in three strengths: 0.5 milligrams (mg), 1 mg, and 2 mg. The lowest recommended starting dosage of Klonopin is 0.25 mg two times per day. The recommended maximum dosage of Klonopin is 20 mg per day. The recommended dosage will differ depending on the condition being treated.
If you have questions about the right dosage of Klonopin for you, talk with your doctor.
Can Klonopin be taken for anxiety or sleep? If so, what are the dosages?
Klonopin might be taken for anxiety or sleep. But it’s not approved specifically for anxiety or for sleep. It’s approved to treat certain types of seizure disorders. The types are atonic, myoclonic, and Lennox-Gastaut. It’s also approved to treat panic disorder, which is a type of anxiety disorder.
In some cases, doctors may prescribe Klonopin off-label specifically for anxiety or sleep. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or help prevent. Doctors may research and follow general consensus from other healthcare professionals concerning these off-label uses. This may help guide them on dosages to prescribe for certain conditions.
If you have questions about treatment options for anxiety or sleep, talk with your doctor.
Is Klonopin taken long term?
It can be. Doctors may prescribe Klonopin as a short-term or long-term treatment. You and your doctor can determine whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. And if needed, you may take it long term.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you should take Klonopin.
Withdrawal from Klonopin
Klonopin has a boxed warning for the risk of dependence and withdrawal. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual. Withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable side effects. They can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body is dependent.
Taking Klonopin can lead to physical dependence. And if you suddenly stop taking the drug, you can experience withdrawal. These risks increase with higher dosages of Klonopin and the longer you take it.
Withdrawal symptoms can be mild or severe. Examples include:
- depression
- memory problems
- fast heart rate
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
- psychosis
- seizures
- suicidal thoughts and behavior
Due to this risk, your doctor will help reduce your risk of withdrawal before you stop it completely. They will lower your dosage of Klonopin gradually over several weeks or months.
If you have thoughts of suicide during Klonopin treatment, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or tell your doctor right away. You can also refer to this article for ways to seek support.
How Klonopin is taken
You’ll swallow Klonopin two or three times per day. You can take it with or without food.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
You should swallow Klonopin tablets whole with water. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Klonopin coupon
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Get free cardOverdose of Klonopin
It’s important that you do not take more Klonopin than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of Klonopin overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- drowsiness
- confusion
- problems with balance
- irritability
- violent behavior
What to do if you take too much Klonopin
If you think you’ve taken too much Klonopin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Klonopin. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Klonopin without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Klonopin exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will I take Klonopin?
- Will my dosage of Klonopin change if I take other drugs with it?
- Am I at a greater risk of side effects with a higher dosage of Klonopin?
Boxed warnings for Klonopin
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of misuse and addiction as well as dependence and withdrawal. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of misuse and addiction. Klonopin has a risk of misuse and addiction. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Addiction means taking a drug even if doing so causes harm.) Addiction can occur even if you take Klonopin as prescribed.
Misuse and addiction can lead to serious side effects and overdose. In extreme cases or if untreated, it can lead to death. This is true especially if Klonopin is taken with certain other medications, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
Due to these risks, your doctor will prescribe the lowest effective dosage of Klonopin. And they’ll prescribe it for the shortest amount of time needed.
Risk of dependence and withdrawal. For more information about this risk, see the “Withdrawal from Klonopin” section above.
Risk of serious harm if taken with opioids. Taking opioids with Klonopin can cause serious side effects. This includes extreme sleepiness and slow or shallow breathing. In extreme cases or if untreated, it can lead to coma and death.
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe Klonopin if you take opioids. But they might prescribe these drugs together if it’s the best or only treatment option.
If you will take both medications, watch for any changes to your breathing and signs of extreme sleepiness. If you experience any symptoms, call 911 to get emergency medical help.
You can also talk with your doctor to learn more about these warnings.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.