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Klonopin Overdose: Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, & Prevention

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 13 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 13 minutes

Recognizing the symptoms and risks of a Klonopin overdose is vital for safe usage and effective prevention.

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Klonopin can help manage symptoms of seizures and panic attacks. However, this drug can cause side effects. These include the risk of addiction, tolerance, and overdose.

If you feel strong urges to use Klonopin differently than your doctor said, please do not ignore it. If you see these issues early, tell your doctor. This can help reduce the risk of serious problems, such as fatal overdoses.

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Klonopin (Clonazepam): Uses, Effects, & Risks

What Is Klonopin?

When your doctor gives you a prescription, try to understand how the drug works. This will help you use it safely.

Klonopin is a brand name for clonazepam. It belongs to a class of drugs commonly called benzos (benzodiazepines). The drug has found wide application in the treatment of anxiety-related issues and seizure disorders.

It works by calming down and slowing brain activity. Klonopin stimulates the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that effectively “calms” the brain and nervous system.

Because of its soothing effect, doctors have used it to treat seizures as well as anxiety. Over time, doctors discovered that it can help patients with anxiety or panic. It reduces symptoms like a fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and intense panic.

However, there is some sort of catch.

Some people misuse Klonopin because of its calming effects. They take more than the recommended dose or mix it with other drugs to enhance its effects. This can lead to deadly outcomes.

Klonopin is a Schedule IV medicine. This means it has real medical benefits but can also be risky if misused. Klonopin is normally safe to use when prescribed by a healthcare practitioner.

Taking too much Klonopin or mixing it with other drugs can cause serious health problems. If you are using Klonopin, follow your doctor’s advice and know the possible risk factors. If you have any questions or concerns about how you are taking it, please contact your healthcare provider.

 

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Dosage, Substance Mixing, & Alcohol Interaction

Can You Overdose on Klonopin?

You can absolutely overdose on Klonopin, and it can be quite dangerous. Overdoses usually happen when someone takes too much of a medication. They can also occur if they mix it with other drugs or drink alcohol while using it. These acts can result in major problems such as slow breathing, intense fatigue, or even fainting.

That is why it is important to follow the recommended dose. Avoid mixing it with anything that could increase its effects. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about using your prescription medication correctly.

1. Taking More Than the Prescribed Dose

A significant reason people overdose on Klonopin is when they take more than their doctor tells them to. It can happen by accident. For example, you might not fully understand how the medication works. You may think that taking extra will help you feel better faster.

People may purposefully take higher amounts to feel increasingly calm. However, Klonopin is a sedative.

Taking too much can cause serious side effects. These may include slow breathing, fainting, or even coma. You should follow your doctor’s advice. Avoid taking more than the recommended amount, even if you feel anxious or upset.

2. Mixing Klonopin with Other Substances

The risk of overdose goes up a lot when Klonopin is mixed with other drugs. This includes both prescription medications and illegal substances.

This is especially true when you mix Klonopin with other CNS depressants. These include opioids, barbiturates, and some antihistamines. When someone mixes these substances, their sedative effects amplify, which can quickly become life-threatening.

Many people may misjudge the threat that some of these combinations pose. For example, opioids and benzos like Klonopin slow your breathing and can affect brain function. This is why an overdose can be deadly.

Research shows that mixing these two types of drugs causes many overdose deaths. It also leads to more emergency room visits and hospital stays.

Every day, approximately 220 people in the United States die from opioid overdoses. As a result, if you are taking Klonopin, you should avoid using it with other sedatives or alcohol. Mixing these drugs can have serious, perhaps lethal consequences. The FDA warns that mixing benzodiazepines like Klonopin with opioids or other central nervous system depressants might induce dangerous adverse effects, including:

  • Difficulty breathing or shallow breaths.
  • Profound sedation or extreme drowsiness.
  • Intense dizziness or faintness.
  • Unresponsiveness or sudden loss of consciousness.
  • Respiratory arrest (when breathing ceases).
  • Fatality.

These risks are not hypothetical—they have been highlighted in variance research. For instance:

  • In North Carolina, a study showed that people who took both opioids and benzodiazepines had an overdose death rate that was ten (10) times higher compared to those who only took opioids.
  • A clinical trial with patients with a history of serving in the U.S. military established that concomitant use of a benzodiazepine with an opioid increases the mortality rate from overdose. As the amount of benzodiazepine ingested increased, so did the danger.

3. Combining Klonopin with Alcohol

You absolutely need to be cautious if you’re thinking about drinking alcohol before taking Klonopin. In fact, it’s not just a bad idea—it’s downright dangerous.

Remember this: both alcohol and Klonopin are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This means they slow down brain activity. When you combine the two, their calming effects can become much stronger. This can quickly lead to serious, life-threatening problems and.

To keep yourself safe and avoid putting your health at risk, the best advice is to skip the alcohol entirely while you’re on Klonopin. Here’s what could happen when alcohol and Klonopin are combined:

  • Deep sedation.
  • Shallow or labored breathing.
  • Reduced heart rate.
  • Unconsciousness.
  • In extreme cases, death.

Even if you don’t experience anything that extreme, drinking while taking Klonopin can make side effects much worse. You could end up with:

  • Extreme drowsiness.
  • Unusual behavior.
  • Trouble with coordination.
  • Memory problems.
  • Dizziness.

If you or someone you know is struggling with both Klonopin and alcohol, it’s vital to get help. The combination increases the risk of some severe side effects, like:

  • Slowed heart rate.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Passing out.
  • Death.

Keep in mind that Klonopin might exacerbate the effects of alcohol. If you combine the two, you might find that you can’t drink as much as before. You may feel stronger and faster effects now.

This can be a dangerous mix. It may show that someone is becoming more dependent on narcotics than they realize.

If you see someone mixing Klonopin and alcohol on a frequent basis, look for symptoms of addiction. Watch out for changes such as:

  • Memory loss.
  • Confusion.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Tension.
  • Numbness.
  • Dizziness.
  • Insomnia.
  • Heart palpitations.
  • Tachycardia (rapid heart rate).
  • Excessive sweating.
  • Seizures.
  • Personality changes.

If you see any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it’s important to reach out for expert help. Stopping Klonopin suddenly can be extremely risky. It may cause your brain to react too quickly. This can lead to seizures and other serious issues.

If you or someone you value needs to stop using it, do so safely and slowly. Get help from an addiction professional. Your health and safety should always be the top priority.

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Key Signs & Symptoms

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Klonopin Overdose?

Recognizing the warning signs of a Klonopin overdose is important. This knowledge can help you or someone you value. This is true if you or someone you know has taken too much Klonopin.

The symptoms can vary based on the amount of Klonopin taken and whether other drugs were used. Some common symptoms to watch for are:

1. Slurred Speech

If you see someone struggling to form words or speak clearly, it is likely because the drug affects the brain. This can make it hard for the brain to control the muscles needed for speech. Since Klonopin impacts the central nervous system, it can make a person’s speech seem slower or harder to understand.

2. Confusion

Confusion is a typical side effect of taking too much Klonopin. You may find it challenging to focus, forget things easily, or appear entirely detached during talks. You may also feel cognitively “foggy,” as if you aren’t entirely aware of your surroundings.

3. Difficulty Breathing

If you see someone having trouble breathing, it might mean they have taken too much Klonopin. This is a serious situation. Taking too much Klonopin can cause breathing to become shallow or erratic, which is a significant warning sign.

Don’t wait if you or someone else is having trouble breathing—get medical help right away. Time is critical in situations like this, and getting prompt care can really make a difference.

4. Loss of Coordination

If you see someone stumbling or having trouble standing or walking, they may be affected by Klonopin. This drug can impact their nervous system and cause them to lose control of their actions. The medication disrupts balance and muscular function, making it difficult to walk about.

5. Unconsciousness

In severe situations, a Klonopin overdose might result in unconsciousness or possibly a coma. If it happens, it is a real medical emergency. Without prompt, proper treatment, the victim’s breathing could stop, or their heart could fail.

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Emergency Medical Interventions

How is Klonopin Overdose Treated?

If you notice signs that someone has taken too much Klonopin, call 911 for emergency help right away. In situations like this, time is absolutely crucial.

EMTs, paramedics, addiction specialists, and toxicologists are trained to handle overdoses. They know exactly how to stabilize the person. Here’s what you can expect them to do when responding to a Klonopin overdose:

1. Stabilizing Breathing and Heart Rate

If you overdose on Klonopin, a professional will first check your breathing and heart rate to ensure they are steady. If you’re experiencing trouble breathing or have stopped breathing entirely, emergency responders may provide oxygen or do CPR.

In some cases, your doctor may give you medicine to help your heart pump better and increase your blood pressure. The goal here is simple: to keep you safe and stable while you get the critical care you need. These medications help your body work well when it needs extra support. This way, you can stay healthy while you recover.

2. Flushing Out the Drug

Once the person’s breathing and heart rate are stable, the next step is to get the drug out of the system. Doctors typically do not focus only on “removing” Klonopin from the body. Instead, they help manage how it is eliminated.

They can also counteract its effects if someone has taken too much. They will focus more on offering supportive care, including:

  • Monitoring: Your doctor will keep a close eye on important signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
  • Hydration: They might give you fluids through an IV to help your kidneys flush out the drug through urine.
  • Observation: They will watch you closely, 24/7 in the hospital. They want to see if your symptoms get worse. They will also check that your breathing and other vital functions are stable.

3. Administering Medications to Counteract Effects

At this point in treatment, doctors may use a drug called “Flumazenil”, which is a benzodiazepine antagonist. What it does is block the calming effects of Klonopin by interfering with its action on the brain’s receptor sites. Essentially, it works to reverse the sedative effects, helping to counteract some of the risks associated with an overdose.

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Neurological & Organ Health Consequences

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Klonopin Overdose?

Even if you become lucky and survive a Klonopin overdose, you need to know that there can still be long-term effects. These effects will depend on how severe the overdose was and how quickly you received professional care. Even with prompt treatment, some lasting consequences can occur, and they can vary from person to person. Here are some of the more common long-term klonopin overdose side effects to keep in mind:

1. Brain Damage

Severe overdoses can result in brain damage. Lack of oxygen due to respiratory depression can cause irreversible harm to brain tissue. This damage may manifest as cognitive deficits, difficulty concentrating, and long-term memory issues.

2. Organ Damage

Taking too much Klonopin, especially with other drugs, can harm your organs. This is especially true for your liver and kidneys. These organs work hard to remove the drug from your body. If they become overwhelmed, it can cause serious damage.

In serious cases, this damage can last a long time. The person may need regular medical care to handle the effects. It reminds us how important it is to use medications as directed. We should get help right away if something goes wrong.

3. Memory Loss

Benzodiazepines like Klonopin can disrupt the hippocampus, the part of your brain that helps you form and store memories. In some cases, the effects can last long after the overdose. This can make it harder to remember things or learn new information.

This is another reason to take this medication only as prescribed. Seek help right away if you notice any signs of misuse.

4. Respiratory Problems

Even after the immediate dangers of a Klonopin overdose are addressed, respiratory problems can still linger. If someone had severe breathing problems during an overdose, they may still struggle with shortness of breath. This is especially true if the overdose harmed their respiratory system.

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Safe Usage & Avoiding Dangerous Combinations

How Can Klonopin Overdose Be Prevented?

Preventing a Klonopin overdose begins with using the drug safely and understanding the dangers. It’s all about taking the necessary precautions to keep yourself safe. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an overdose occurring:

1. Follow Prescribed Dosage

The best way to avoid a Klonopin overdose is to stick to the dosage your doctor prescribed. Don’t ever take more than what’s recommended, and definitely don’t share your medication with anyone else. If you feel like the dose isn’t working for you, don’t just increase it on your own—talk to your doctor about it. They can adjust your treatment or suggest alternatives that might work better for you.

2. Avoid Mixing with Other Substances

You should never mix Klonopin with other medications or substances, especially alcohol. Combining them can be really risky.

Always tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. It helps them spot potential drug interactions that could increase the risk of overdose. It’s a simple step, but it can make all the difference in staying safe.

 

3. Seek Help for Substance Abuse Issues

If you or someone you care about is struggling with drug abuse, seek help straight away. Do not wait for things to get worse. Whether it’s Klonopin or anything else, consulting an expert can have profound effects.

There are treatment centers and counseling services with medical professionals. They can provide the support needed to help you get back on track. You don’t have to go through it alone—help is out there, and getting the proper support is the first step toward recovery.

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Help From Rolling Hills Recovery Center

If you are struggling with Klonopin addiction, you are not alone. Help is available.

At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, we know that addiction can happen in many ways. If you became dependent on Klonopin by accident or are using it with another substance, we can help you. We are here to support you in your recovery.

Our programs are designed to meet you where you’re at, with personalized treatment options like:
  • Partial Hospitalization Program.
  • Intensive Outpatient Program.
  • Outpatient Program.
  • Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program.

We will help you create a treatment plan that meets your needs. Our experienced counselors will support you at every step. The sooner you get expert help, the sooner you can rebuild your life and move past your Klonopin addiction.

Don’t wait for things to get worse or for overdose symptoms to appear. Contact us today and take the first step toward recovery.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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