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What Is Clonazepam?

Clonazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance. It is used alone or with other medicines for selected seizure disorders and is also approved for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. Tablets are taken by mouth, with dosing based on indication, age, response, and tolerability.

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What Is Clonazepam?

Clonazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance. It is used alone or with other medicines for selected seizure disorders and is also approved for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in adults. Tablets are taken by mouth, with dosing based on indication, age, response, and tolerability.

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How Does Clonazepam Affect the Brain?

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that acts through gamma-aminobutyric acid signaling in the central nervous system. Benzodiazepines increase inhibitory GABA-related activity, which reduces excessive neuronal excitation. This action contributes to clonazepam effects on seizures, anxiety, sedation, coordination, and alertness.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Clonazepam?

Clonazepam is used alone or as adjunctive treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic seizures, and myoclonic seizures. It can also be used for absence seizures that have not responded to succinimides. In adults, clonazepam is approved for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

How Are Clonazepam Tablets Dosed?

Adults with seizure disorders start at no more than 1.5 mg daily divided into three doses, with gradual increases according to response. Adult panic disorder treatment starts at 0.25 mg twice daily and commonly targets 1 mg daily after three days. The labeled maximum for panic disorder is 4 mg daily.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Clonazepam?

Clonazepam carries a boxed warning for profound sedation and respiratory depression when combined with opioids, along with abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions. Abrupt discontinuation can trigger life-threatening withdrawal, including seizures. Other concerns include impaired alertness, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and worsening central nervous system depression with alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions About Clonazepam

Is clonazepam a benzodiazepine?

Yes. Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine and a Schedule IV controlled substance.

What conditions does clonazepam treat?

Clonazepam treats selected seizure disorders and adult panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

What is the starting dose for adult panic disorder?

The labeled starting dose is 0.25 mg twice daily.

Can clonazepam be stopped suddenly?

No. Abrupt discontinuation after continued use can trigger severe or life-threatening withdrawal reactions, including seizures.

References

Clonazepam. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682279.html. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

Clonazepam. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556010/. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

DailyMed - CLONAZEPAM tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=939dee35-3987-4ce2-9985-3751ceffa20e. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

Drugs of Abuse: A DEA Resource Guide, 2024 Edition. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/2024-Drugs-of-Abuse-508.pdf. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.

FDA Label - KLONOPIN (clonazepam) Tablets. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/017533s062lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.