Clonazepam

(kloe NA ze pam)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to clonazepam or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Glaucoma or very bad liver disease.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to stop or control seizures.
• It is used to treat anxiety.

How does this drug work?

• Clonazepam calms the brain.

How is this drug given?

• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Tablet can be crushed and mixed with food or liquid.
• Do not push the tablet out of the foil when opening. Use dry hands to take it from the foil. Place on your child's tongue and let it melt. Water is not needed. Do not let your child swallow it whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush it.Oral-disintegrating tablet:
• There is a liquid (suspension) if your child cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Infants:
• Before giving any drug, your infant needs to be awake and alert. Hold your infant in your lap or put him/her in an infant seat.
• Do not put this drug in your infant's bottle.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.
• It may take a few weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Infants:
• If your infant throws up after taking this drug, talk with the doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• This drug may be habit-forming with long-term use.
• If your child has been taking this drug for more than 10 days, talk with your child's doctor before stopping. You may want to slowly stop this drug.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• Avoid giving your child grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
• If your child has lung disease, talk with the doctor. He/she may be more sensitive to this drug.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Emotional ups and downs.
• Sleeping more than normal. Your infant may not wake up for feeding.
• Dry mouth. Good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. Have your child see a dentist often.
• Unexpected excitement may rarely happen.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing him/herself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• If your child has a change in balance.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child is feeling very nervous and excitable.
• If your child's seizures are worse or not the same after starting this drug.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If you are not able to wake your child.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store tablets at room temperature.
• Protect tablets from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• Store liquid (suspension) in a refrigerator. Throw away any part not used after 2 weeks.
• Give oral-disintegrating tablet right after opening. Throw away any part of opened pouch that is not used.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.