Clonazepam
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for panic disorder and certain seizure disorders (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic and myoclonic seizures). Its long half-life provides more sustained anxiolytic effects with less interdose rebound anxiety compared to shorter-acting benzodiazepines. Also used off-label for social anxiety disorder, restless leg syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for panic disorder and certain seizure disorders (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic and myoclonic seizures). NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 0.5–4 mg daily in divided doses (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 10 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: panic disorder treatment, seizure control, sustained anxiety relief. 10 sources indexed (1985–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Binds to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors, enhancing GABA-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission. Its high potency and long duration of action provide sustained anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects. Also has serotonergic properties that may contribute to its efficacy in panic disorder.8
Dosing & protocol.
Rapidly and completely absorbed. Can be taken with or without food.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Sedation and drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Cognitive impairment
- Ataxia
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Depression
- Memory impairment
- Behavioral disinhibition
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
4- 1Antimanic Efficacy, Tolerability, and Acceptability of Clonazepam: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisPMIDLappas AS, Helfer B, Henke-Ciążyńska K et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · 2023
Lappas AS, Helfer B, Henke-Ciążyńska K et al.. Antimanic Efficacy, Tolerability, and Acceptability of Clonazepam: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of clinical medicine. 2023
- 2Clonazepam for the management of sleep disordersPMIDRaggi A, Mogavero MP, DelRosso LM et al. · Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2023
Raggi A, Mogavero MP, DelRosso LM et al.. Clonazepam for the management of sleep disorders. Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology. 2023
- 3Safety and Efficacy of Clonazepam in the Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: A Meta-AnalysisPMIDAl-Otaibi F · Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences · 2022
Al-Otaibi F. Safety and Efficacy of Clonazepam in the Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. 2022
- 4Clonazepam and lorazepam in acute mania: a Bayesian meta-analysisPMIDCurtin F, Schulz P · Journal of affective disorders · 2004
Curtin F, Schulz P. Clonazepam and lorazepam in acute mania: a Bayesian meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders. 2004
Reviews & position papers
3- 5ClonazepamPMIDBasit H, Kahwaji CI · 2026
Basit H, Kahwaji CI. Clonazepam. 2026
- 6Amiodarone-clonazepam interactionPMIDWitt DM, Ellsworth AJ, Leversee JH · The Annals of pharmacotherapy · 1993
Witt DM, Ellsworth AJ, Leversee JH. Amiodarone-clonazepam interaction. The Annals of pharmacotherapy. 1993
- 7Phenytoin/clonazepam interactionPMIDSaavedra IN, Aguilera LI, Faure E et al. · Therapeutic drug monitoring · 1985
Saavedra IN, Aguilera LI, Faure E et al.. Phenytoin/clonazepam interaction. Therapeutic drug monitoring. 1985
Reference material
3- 8Offidani E et al. Efficacy and tolerability of benzodiazepines versus antidepressants in anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychother Psychosom. 2013.Source linkedPMID
- 9Nardi AE et al. Clonazepam for the treatment of panic disorder. Curr Drug Targets. 2013.Source linkedPMID
- 10Rossetti A et al. Efficacy of different therapeutic options for pain relief and treatment of burning mouth syndrome: a systematic review. Clin Oral Investig. 2025.Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Clonazepam, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Clonazepam?
Prescription benzodiazepine (Schedule IV controlled substance) approved for panic disorder and certain seizure disorders (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, akinetic and myoclonic seizures). Its long half-life provides more sustained anxiolytic effects with less interdose rebound anxiety compared to shorter-acting benzodiazepines. Also used off-label for social anxiety disorder, restless leg syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
What is Clonazepam used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Clonazepam include: Panic disorder treatment; Seizure control; Sustained anxiety relief; Less rebound anxiety than short-acting benzodiazepines; Restless leg syndrome relief (off-label). NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Clonazepam?
A typical adult dose of Clonazepam is 0.5–4 mg daily in divided doses (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Tablet or orally disintegrating tablet. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Clonazepam?
Reported side effects include sedation and drowsiness, dizziness, cognitive impairment, ataxia, dependence and withdrawal, depression. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Clonazepam?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Clonazepam in NutriStack.
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