Does Having High Doses Of Clonazepam Have Any Side Effects?

Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015

Question: Hi. I took 3 .5 clonazepam pills. just 1 .5 wasn't doing anything whatsoever. so i've been taking two at the same time once a day for about a week. Today I took 3 of the .5's all at once will I be okay?
Felt a panic attack coming on.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
you will be okay.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

I can understand your concerns.

3 tablets of 0.5mg clonazepam taken at once will not cause any harm. This might just cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness. Otherwise, you will be okay. Donot worry.

But donot medicate yourself on your own in future. Keep in touch with your doctor.

Hope this lessens your anxiety.

Feel free to ask further.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

I wish you good health.
Thanks.

Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD(Psychiatry).

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (23 minutes later)

thank you for getting straight to the point! it's been an hour and a half since I've taken 1.5 mg and I don't feel calm exactly, just really tired..is this normal or is it something to worry about

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
its normal; donot worry.

Detailed Answer:
Glad that you found my response helpful.

In some cases, increment in dose can initially cause drowsiness and tiredness.
This is completely normal.
Just take rest for some time and you will be fine.

Wish you good health.

Take care.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (17 minutes later)

but now it's 2 hours later and I don't feel anything at all... could it be because I didn't really eat anything today and my body hasn't digested it yet or should I. have felt something already? what I normally feel. is calm..in this case I don't feel calm and I don't really feel tired anymore although I do have diarrhea...

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hypoglycemia; absorption of drug may vary.

Detailed Answer:
Since you have not eaten anything since morning and you also have diarrhea, this must be causing tiredness due to hypoglycemia and water loss.

Take some sugar rich foods. Drink plenty of water.

If you have not felt anything with 1.5mg clonazepam taken empty stomach, probably the drug might not have been absorbed in the body adequately.
Also, the drug absorption varies from person to person.

Just for your knowledge, i would like to tell you that drugs like clonazepam or alprazolam can cause serious health issues if taken in doses more than 15-20mg.

Hope this addresses your concerns satisfactorily.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (16 minutes later)

I only took 1.50 mg...if something was wrong would I know by now? I'm eating tons of food right now and drinking water..should I be prepared for it to hit me soon now that I am eating

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it would have shown its effects by now.

Detailed Answer:
If there would have been something wrong, you would have felt it by now.

As I told you earlier, there nothing to worry with this dose of clonazepam, so dont panic.

Eat normally, as you would eat on any other day.

Sit back and relax. You are fine.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (7 minutes later)

wow I'm surprised I didn't feel anything..even with 1 mg I feel a little something....

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
body is adjusted to the drug.

Detailed Answer:
The response to drug doses vary from person to person.

Some people might tolerate a high dose and some are knocked out even at low doses.

Also, since you are taking clonazepam from sometime, your body must have adapted to the drug. Probably your body is tolerating the drug now.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (10 minutes later)

but yesterday I took 1 mg and I felt calm but not calm enough so today I took an extra .5 mg and I don't feel anything yet? Sorry I'm nervous

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Effect of drug does not follow a linear relation. Relax; take slow and deep breaths.

Detailed Answer:
Its ok. Your health is of utmost importance. You can ask as many queries as you wish :)

The more you will think about the drug and its effects, the more anxious you will be.

As I told you earlier, the body does not respond in a linear fashion to dose increments.

If you still feel anxious, may be another 0.25 mg two hours later, can help. But its better to consult your doctor before any further increments.

Just take slow and deep breaths.
Inhale slowly over 4 seconds, hold your breath for another 4 seconds and then exhale over another 4 seconds.
Do this 5 times at a time and 3-4 times a day.
This will help you to stay calm.

Take care.

If you wish, you can ask a direct query anytime at your convenience. I will be glad to help you.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (33 minutes later)

I do have a bit of a headache and bad diarrhea

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it is safe to sleep.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, its absolutely safe to sleep. Just relax and go to bed without any fear :)

Take tablet ibuprofen for headache.

Take plenty of water, juices or ORS-L for diarrhea. Eat well. Avoid milk. Take a liquid-semisolid diet.
If diarrhea does not settle in a day, consult your physician.

Hope my responses have helped you.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.

Thanks.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta