Patient/caregiver was educated on the side effects of using clonazepam as follows:
Central nervous system side-effects
- Clonazepam use can result in episodes of confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, and light-headedness. Individuals taking clonazepam can also present compromised memory and forgetfulness. Individuals taking clonazepam can develop anterograde amnesia, which is a compromised ability to form new memories after the intake of medication.
- Clonazepam use, especially in individuals with history of anxiety and bipolar disorder, can result in exacerbation of depressive symptoms, changes in behavior, irritability, compromised sexual drive, and provoke thoughts of suicide.
- Discontinuing or significant reduction of clonazepam dose intake abruptly, after prolonged use, can result in exacerbation of anxiety, relapse and rebound of the panic episodes, precipitation of seizure episodes, muscle spasms, unpleasant withdrawal symptoms of insomnia and behavior changes. Discontinuing the medication should be gradual, using tapering doses, and only as recommended by your physician.
Other constitutional side-effects
- Individuals taking clonazepam can also present with sexual dysfunctions, such as, compromised interest in sex, difficulty attaining and maintaining erection, and/or difficulty having an orgasm.
