Clonazepam Side Effects
Before discussing clonazepam side effects, first you'll need to be aware that this medication has more than one use. It is approved for the treatment of seizure disorders and panic disorders. Therefore, in order to make the information more easily accessible for you, I will split up the side effects breakdown by the condition being treated.
Seizure Disorders
Commonly Occurring Clonazepam Side Effects: Ataxia - lack of coordination/inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movementsBehavior problemsDrowsinessOther Clonazepam Side Effects (no frequency data available): Abnormal eye movementsAmnesiaAnemiaAnkle and facial edema - swelling of the ankles and face due to fluid retentionAnorexia - loss of appetiteAphonia - loss of voiceChest congestionChoreiform movements - involuntary jerky movementsCoated tongueComaConfusionConstipationDehydrationDepressionDiarrheaDiplopia - double visionDry mouthDysarthria - speech impairment; slow, slurred speechDysdiadochokinesis - an inability to perform rapid alternating movementsDysuria - pain when urinatingEncopresis - involuntary bowel movements; loss of bowel controlEnuresis - bed-wettingEosinophilia - a type of low white blood cell countFeverGastritis - inflammation of the stomach liningGeneral deteriorationGlassy-eyed appearanceHair lossHallucinationsHeadacheHemiparesis - weakness on one side of the bodyHepatomegaly - an abnormal enlargement of the liverHirsutism - excessive hairiness/hair growthHypersecretion in upper respiratory passagesHypotonia - abnormal loss of muscle tone which leads to muscle floppinessHysteriaIncreased appetiteIncreased libidoInsomniaLeukopenia - a type of low white blood cell countLymphadenopathy - swollen glands; enlarged lymph nodesMuscle painsMuscle weaknessNauseaNocturia - urinating frequently at nightNystagmus - rapid and involuntary jerking eye movementsPalpitationsParadoxical reactions - including excitability, irritability, aggressive behavior, agitation, nervousness, hostility, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nightmares and vivid dreams Psychosis (more likely to occur in people who have a history of psychiatric disturbances)Respiratory depressionRhinorrhea - runny noseShortness of breathSkin rashSlurred speechSore gumsTemporary rises in serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase levels - these are enzymes produced by the liverThrombocytopenia - low platelet countTremorUrinary retentionVertigoWeight loss or weight gain
Panic Disorder
Commonly Occurring Clonazepam Side Effects: Abnormal coordinationAtaxia - lack of coordination/inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movementsDepressionSomnolence - sleepiness or extreme drowsiness"Intermediate Frequency" Clonazepam Side Effects: Abdominal PainAllergic ReactionAppetite DecreasedBlurred Vision BronchitisColpitis (in women only - inflammation of the vaginaConfusionConstipationCoughingDelayed Ejaculation (in men only)DizzinessDysarthria - difficulty in forming, speaking or articulating words, due to weakness and stiffness of the muscles used for speakingDysmenorrhea (in women only - painful menstruationEmotional LabilityFatigueFrequent urinationImpotence (in men only)InfluenzaLibido DecreasedMemory DisturbanceMyalgia - muscle painNervousnessPharyngitis - sore throatReduced intellectual abilityRhinitis - nasal congestionSinusitis - swelling/inflammation of the nasal sinusesUpper Respiratory Tract InfectionUrinary Tract InfectionRarely Occurring Clonazepam Side Effects: Abdominal discomfortAbnormal hungerAbrasionsAccidentAcne flare-upsAggressive reactionAlopeciaAnkle edema - ankle swelling due to fluid retentionAnkle painAnxietyApathyArthralgia - joint painAsthmatic attackBack painBladder dysfunctionBreast pain (women only)Burning skinCellulitis - skin infectionChest painContact dermatitisCystitis - bladder infectionDepersonalization - an altered or unreal perception of oneself; feeling as though one is becoming unrealDermal bleeding - bleeding of the skinDiplopia - double visionDrunkennessDyspepsia - indigestionDyspnea - difficulty breathingDysuria - painful urinationEaracheEdema - swelling due to fluid retentionEjaculation decreased (men only)Excessive dreamingExcessive sneezingExcitementEye irritationEye twitchingFallingFeeling madFeeling of enuresis - feeling unable to control urinationFeverFlatulence - excessive gasFlushingFoot edema - foot swelling due to fluid retentionFrequent bowel movementsGastrointestinal inflammationGoutHead fullnessHeart palpitationsHemorrhoidsHerpes simplex infectionHoarsenessHyperactivityHypertonia - abnormal increase in muscle tone which leads to muscle stiffnessHypoesthesia - numbness; reduced sense of touchIllusionIncrease in appetiteIncrease in libidoInfectious mononucleosisInjuryInsomniaJaw painKnee painLack of attentionLeg crampsLeg painLocalized inflammationLoss of libidoLumbago - low back painMalaise - a general feeling of not being wellMenstrual irregularity (women only)MigraineMoniliasis - a type of fungal (yeast) infectionMotion sicknessMuscle crampsMycotic infection - a type of fungal infectionNape pain - pain in the back of the neckNightmaresNosebleedOrganic disinhibition - inability to suppress impulsive behaviors and/or emotionsOtitis - ear inflammationPainPain in feetParesis - slight, partial, or incomplete paralysisParesthesia - numbness or tingling of the skin; "pins and needles" sensationPelvic painPeriorbital edema - swelling around the eyes due to fluid retentionPleurisy - inflammation of the lining of the lungsPneumoniaPolyuria - excessive/frequent urinationPostural hypotension - a drop in blood pressure, especially when standing up from a sitting or lying positionPruritus - itchingPustular reactionPyrosis - painful, burning sensation in the chestReactions decreasedSaliva increasedShiveringShoulder painSkin burnsSkin disorderSleep disorderSprains and strainsStomach upsetStreptococcal infectionStyesSuicidal ideationSwelling in kneeTaste lossTendinitis - inflammation of a tendonThirstThrombophlebitis in leg - blood clot in leg veinsTongue thickTooth disorderToothacheTraumatic fractureTremorTwitchingUrinary incontinenceUrinary retentionUrinary tract bleeding Urine discolorationVertigo - a dizzying/reeling sensation, like one is about to fallViral infectionVisual disturbanceVisual field defectWeight gainWeight lossWoundXeroderma - abnormally dry, rough skinXerophthalmia - dry eyesYawning
Primum non nocere - first do no harm.
- Plaque on the wall of University of Chicago Hospital
Drug Manufacturer Information
Roche Laboratories Inc.
340 Kingsland Street
Nutley, NJ 07110-1199
(973) 235-5000
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September 12, 2009
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