Health and Me

Itisha Arya

Are You Taking Clonazepam? NHS Issues Urgent Safety Advice

clonazepam nhs warning

The <span>NHS</span> has released updated guidance for people who are currently taking <span>clonazepam</span>, a commonly prescribed medicine that belongs to the benzodiazepine group. According to the health service, clonazepam is often used to control seizures or fits linked to epilepsy, ease involuntary muscle spasms, and help manage panic disorders. It is also prescribed in some cases for people with restless legs syndrome (RLS). NHS Inform notes that “around 1 in 10 people experience restless legs syndrome at some stage in their life.”

Explaining how the drug works, the NHS says it increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. By boosting GABA, clonazepam can reduce anxiety, prevent seizures or fits, and relax tight or overactive muscles.

Clonazepam is only available on prescription and comes as tablets or a liquid. Most adults aged 18 and over can take either form. In certain cases, children as young as one month old may be prescribed clonazepam to treat epilepsy, as per NHS.

That said, there are situations where extra caution is needed. People who are due to have surgery or dental treatment, those who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or who have sleep-related conditions may be advised to stop taking the medicine. However, these are not the only groups the NHS says should be careful.

Clonazepam is not suitable for everyone. Before starting treatment, patients are advised to tell their doctor if they:

<ul><li>have ever had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or any other medicine</li><li>have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness</li><li>have sleep apnoea, which affects breathing during sleep</li><li>have lung, liver, or kidney problems</li><li>have spinal or cerebellar ataxia, which can cause shakiness, poor balance, and slurred speech</li><li>have had problems with alcohol or drug use in the past</li><li>have recently experienced bereavement, depression, or thoughts of self-harm or suicide</li><li>have been diagnosed with a personality disorder</li><li>are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breastfeeding</li><li>are due to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or dental procedure</li></ul>

<h2>What Are The Side Effects Of Clonazepam?</h2>

Like many medicines, clonazepam can cause side effects. Common effects, which affect more than 1 in 100 people, include disturbed sleep such as vivid dreams, feeling sleepy during the day, light-headedness, dizziness, unsteadiness, and muscle weakness.

When it comes to long-term use, the NHS warns that clonazepam can lead to withdrawal symptoms if taken for a prolonged period. Because of this risk, people who have been prescribed the drug for more than four weeks may have their dose reduced slowly when stopping treatment, rather than stopping suddenly.

The NHS also stresses that this is not a complete list of side effects. Patients are advised to read the information leaflet that comes with their medicine for full details.

<h2>Clonazepam: Serious Side Effects To Watch Out For</h2>

Although uncommon, some people may experience serious side effects while taking clonazepam. The NHS advises contacting a doctor or calling 111 immediately if you notice:

<ul><li>yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, which may be less noticeable on darker skin tones, as this could point to liver problems</li><li>seeing or hearing things that are not there, or believing things that are untrue</li><li>problems with coordination or controlling movements</li><li>swollen ankles, a fast heartbeat, coughing, and extreme tiredness, which could be signs of heart issues</li><li>easy bruising, fatigue, nosebleeds, and breathlessness, which may indicate blood disorders</li><li>changes in mood, such as talking more than usual, feeling unusually excited, restless, irritable, or aggressive, which are more likely in children or adults over 65</li><li>Anyone experiencing memory problems, such as difficulty remembering things or amnesia, is advised to book an appointment with their doctor.</li></ul>

In rare cases, clonazepam can trigger a serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

<strong>Disclaimer</strong>: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of any medication.

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The NHS has released updated guidance for people who are currently taking clonazepam, a commonly prescribed medicine that belongs to the benzodiazepine group. According to the health service, clonazepam is often used to control seizures or fits linked to epilepsy, ease involuntary muscle spasms, and help manage panic disorders. It is also prescribed in some cases for people with restless legs syndrome (RLS). NHS Inform notes that “around 1 in 10 people experience restless legs syndrome at some stage in their life.”Explaining how the drug works, the NHS says it increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in the brain that has a calming effect. By boosting GABA, clonazepam can reduce anxiety, prevent seizures or fits, and relax tight or overactive muscles.Who Can Take Clonazepam?Clonazepam is only available on prescription and comes as tablets or a liquid. Most adults aged 18 and over can take either form. In certain cases, children as young as one month old may be prescribed clonazepam to treat epilepsy, as per NHS.That said, there are situations where extra caution is needed. People who are due to have surgery or dental treatment, those who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or who have sleep-related conditions may be advised to stop taking the medicine. However, these are not the only groups the NHS says should be careful.Clonazepam is not suitable for everyone. Before starting treatment, patients are advised to tell their doctor if they:have ever had an allergic reaction to clonazepam or any other medicinehave myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weaknesshave sleep apnoea, which affects breathing during sleephave lung, liver, or kidney problemshave spinal or cerebellar ataxia, which can cause shakiness, poor balance, and slurred speechhave had problems with alcohol or drug use in the pasthave recently experienced bereavement, depression, or thoughts of self-harm or suicidehave been diagnosed with a personality disorderare trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breastfeedingare due to have a general anaesthetic for an operation or dental procedureWhat Are The Side Effects Of Clonazepam?Like many medicines, clonazepam can cause side effects. Common effects, which affect more than 1 in 100 people, include disturbed sleep such as vivid dreams, feeling sleepy during the day, light-headedness, dizziness, unsteadiness, and muscle weakness.When it comes to long-term use, the NHS warns that clonazepam can lead to withdrawal symptoms if taken for a prolonged period. Because of this risk, people who have been prescribed the drug for more than four weeks may have their dose reduced slowly when stopping treatment, rather than stopping suddenly.The NHS also stresses that this is not a complete list of side effects. Patients are advised to read the information leaflet that comes with their medicine for full details.Clonazepam: Serious Side Effects To Watch Out ForAlthough uncommon, some people may experience serious side effects while taking clonazepam. The NHS advises contacting a doctor or calling 111 immediately if you notice:yellowing of the whites of the eyes or skin, which may be less noticeable on darker skin tones, as this could point to liver problemsseeing or hearing things that are not there, or believing things that are untrueproblems with coordination or controlling movementsswollen ankles, a fast heartbeat, coughing, and extreme tiredness, which could be signs of heart issueseasy bruising, fatigue, nosebleeds, and breathlessness, which may indicate blood disorderschanges in mood, such as talking more than usual, feeling unusually excited, restless, irritable, or aggressive, which are more likely in children or adults over 65Anyone experiencing memory problems, such as difficulty remembering things or amnesia, is advised to book an appointment with their doctor.In rare cases, clonazepam can trigger a serious allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of any medication.