What you Need to Know About Klonopin and Addiction

Klonopin also know in it’s generic form as clonazepam is a medication that is used to treat anxiety and other panic disorders. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine. Other common bezodiazepines are Xanax and Ativan. If you’re doctor has prescribed Klonopin to treat you or a loved one for a panic disorder, there are some things you should know.

Suicidal Thoughts

People taking Klonopin or other benzodiazepines may have very dark or suicidal thoughts. While it only occurs to about 1 in 500 people taking Klonopin, you should tell your doctor immediately if you have thoughts of harming yourself.

Is Klonopin Safe for Everyone?

It is possible to become addicted to Klonopin.

Klonopin has not been thoroughly tested in people under the age of 18 and has not been proved safe for use in adolescent. Klonopin should also be avoided in the elderly because when mixed with other medications that are regularly prescribed to people over 60 it can cause serious drug interactions that can result in death. According to NIH, “It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements” You should keep the list with you at all times. Especially whenever you are admitted into a hospital.

Klonopin is not safe to use during pregnancy. It also shouldn’t be used if you are pregnant or could become pregnant while taking the medication. Studies have linked the use of Klonopin in women of child bearing age to various birth defects and even stillborn death. It also not safe to breastfeed while taking Klonopin as it is transmitted through a mother’s breast milk to her child. You should talk to your doctor if you think you might become pregnant while using Klonopin.

Dangerous Health Effects

Aside from causing suicidal thoughts Klonopin and other benzodiazepines can cause other serious health problems such as liver disease, kidney failure and respiratory problems. It can also lead to dependency when taken for long periods of time to treat anxiety disorders or when used other than prescribed. Because benzodiazepines are known to cause a sense of euphoria in the user it can lead to addiction that will require inpatient or outpatient treatment from a professional drug treatment facility. Many mistakenly believe that benzodiazepines such as Klonopin are safer to take than street drugs because they are prescribed by a doctor and benzodiazepines are not as strong as other opiates such as Percocet and Oxycododone, Vicodin, etc, therefore there is a greater chance that they will be mixed with alcohol or other drugs to increase the effects.

Klonopin Dependency

If dependency occurs while taking Klonopin it can be difficult to stop and many report feeling symptoms of withdrawal for years after they stop using Klonopin. You should discuss the chances of dependency with your doctor prior to starting treatment with a benzodiazepine. Knowing the consequences of using a drug like Klonopin can better prepare you and help avoid an addiction to the medication.