Klonopin Clonazepam and Alcohol: Interactions, Effects & Risks

Our pharmacist answers the latest question regarding drinking alcohol with the medication Klonopin (Clonazepam). A breathalyzer test can measure the amount of alcohol in your system by telling you your blood alcohol content (BAC). This number is based on factors like how much you drank, your body composition and your biological sex. Once your BA has peaked 45 minutes after a drink, it will decrease by approximately 0.015 per hour. Therefore, if your BAC is 0.06, which is under the legal driving limit in most places, it would still take around four hours for that amount of alcohol to leave your body. You should avoid taking Klonopin until alcohol is completely out of your system.

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system when consumed. Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he’s your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany.Feel free to send him an email at email protected! Klonopin (clonazepam) is classified as a benzodiazepine and has a fairly quick onset of action of about 20 to 60 minutes.

1. It can also affect your sex drive, you might experience frequent urination and increased saliva, as well as muscle or joint pain.
2. Further, Klonopin can interact with an anticonvulsant drug such as diphenylhydantoin or zonisamide which may lead to potential intoxication 2, 5, 6.
3. Those who have been using klonopin and alcohol together need to seek out a treatment facility that can handle a dual diagnosis recovery.
4. Klonopin overdose and Klonopin addiction are serious problems and Klonopin use should always be discussed with your medical provider.
5. These two drugs can, in large quantities, impair judgment and assessment of risk, as well as lead to temporary amnesia and extreme fatigue.

It is considered an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug, belonging to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. These drugs affect the brain’s neurotransmitters, the chemicals the nerves release to communicate from one cell to another. The Recovery Village Atlanta offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.

Side Effects of Klonopin (Clonazepam)

For people who suffer from addiction to either alcohol or Klonopin, it is important to get help as soon as possible to overcome the problem. Some people abuse Klonopin to combat the anxiety that comes with other substance abuse. Those who have been using klonopin and alcohol together need to seek out a treatment facility that can handle a dual diagnosis recovery. If Klonopin has been prescribed by a doctor, then usually sober house boston this will be prescribed due to an existing condition. Trying to go through the detox process on your own will only decrease your chances of success.

Clonazepam and Alcohol Interactions

It is recommended that those who take Klonopin refrain from drinking alcohol, as alcohol can increase the effects of the drug. Inpatient rehabilitation is often most effective for treating addictions to both alcohol and Klonopin. These two drugs can, in large quantities, impair judgment and assessment of risk, as well as lead to temporary amnesia and extreme fatigue. This is especially true when used in combination with alcohol, and it is harder to detect in alcoholic beverages. Mixing Klonopin and Alcohol is highly unrecommended as it can lead to dangerous side effects. Both Klonopin and Alcohol are central nervous depressants (CNS), and when combined can cause serious consequences and increase the chances of an overdose.

How Long To Wait After Your Last Klonopin Dose To Drink Alcohol

Nevertheless, in your situation, having been 24 hours after your last drink, it probably is safe to continue taking your Klonopin as prescribed. Additionally, the effects of alcohol on the body are not gone after it has been metabolized by our body. There are a number of byproducts produced, which have a range of effects, especially on sleep (e.g. it can suppress REM sleep) and breathing. In fact, benzodiazepine misuse may cause a variety of health issues, including Parkinson’s disease or dementia. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more specific information on how long it takes to separate alcohol and Klonopin based on your medical history.

The combination of these two may lead to extreme sleepiness, memory loss coordination problems or even coma. Drugs like Klonopin, which belongs to a class known as benzodiazepines, get a lot of coverage and attention to due their possible serious adverse reactions. The fact of the matter is that if they are taken responsibility, at a prescribed dose, they are safe and effective medications that help millions of people with a range of indications. Both Klonopin and alcohol are central nervous difference between aa and na system depressants, also called CNS depressants. CNS depressants slow the activity of the brain, which can be beneficial for many types of disorders. The combination of alcohol can also make certain drugs toxic to your body.

If you, or a loved one, is currently suffering from alcohol and Klonopin addiction, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. It is a prescription medication which belongs to the group of drugs called benzodiazepines, together with other well-known drugs such as diazepam or alprazolam (Xanax). Clonazepam is used to treat health disorders such as seizure disorders and panic disorders, or other mental health disorders. The drug has sedative effects, muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety properties 1. Klonopin can interact with other medications such as opioids, antidepressants and stimulants 2. Depressed breathing or difficulty breathing is a dangerous side effect of mixing alcohol and Klonopin.

Because it takes five half-lives for a drug to be completely removed from your system, it can take 3.75  to 10.5 days for Klonopin to leave your system. If a person needs to take the drug to prevent these symptoms, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider about detoxification. Since the drug normally slows the chemical reactions in the brain, this can lead to a rapid quickening of chemical releases. If you recognize these symptoms, it is important to contact a medical provider right away.

Of those visits, 44 percent that involved a combination of benzodiazepines, like Klonopin, and alcohol resulted in serious medical outcomes. Klonopin is also known as clonazepam and is a part of the benzodiazepine family. Since it’s a minor tranquilizer the drug is commonly used as a sedative to promote muscle relaxation and reduce electrical activity throughout the brain and rest of the nervous system. However, Klonopin is usually only prescribed in short doses of two to fun group activities for substance abuse treatment three weeks, as it has a high potential for abuse. Combine this with alcohol abuse and you’ll greatly increase your health risks. While Klonopin is not generally used for alcohol withdrawal, other benzos are a first choice for medically assisted withdrawal.