Klonopin Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others

Does Klonopin interact with other drugs?

Before you start taking Klonopin, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription, over-the-counter, or other drugs you take. Sharing this information with them may help prevent possible interactions.

The following chart lists drugs that may interact with Klonopin. Keep in mind that this chart does not include all drugs that could interact with Klonopin. For more information about some of these interactions, see the “Drug interactions explained” section.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When should I avoid Klonopin?

Certain health conditions or other factors could raise your risk of harm if you take Klonopin. In such cases, your doctor may not prescribe Klonopin for you. These are known as contraindications. The following content includes contraindications of Klonopin.

If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma: Klonopin can increase the pressure in your eyes. If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma, taking Klonopin could make the condition worse. Due to this risk, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. Ask them what other medications may be more suitable for you.

If you have severe liver disease: Klonopin is broken down by your liver. If you have severe liver disease, such as liver failure, Klonopin could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of Klonopin side effects. Due to this risk, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. Ask them what other medications may be more suitable for you.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction: Klonopin is part of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Klonopin, any of its ingredients, or other benzodiazepines, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. Examples of other benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and lorazepam (Ativan). Your doctor will discuss other treatments that may be better options.

Before you start taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor if any of the factors noted here apply to you. Your doctor can determine whether Klonopin is safe for you to take.

Does Klonopin interact with alcohol?

Yes, Klonopin does interact with alcohol. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol with Klonopin because the combination can have dangerous effects.

Both Klonopin and alcohol can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression (slowed activity in your brain and spinal cord). As a result, drinking alcohol with Klonopin can cause:

• extreme sleepiness
• memory loss
• coordination problems
• respiratory depression (breathing that’s slow and shallow and may even stop)
• coma

Drinking alcohol with Klonopin can also raise your risk of Klonopin misuse. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way or for a purpose that’s not prescribed by a doctor.) This could lead to overdose and even be fatal. See the top of this article for a boxed warning pertaining to the risk of misuse.

If you have questions or concerns about alcohol and Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions explained

Learn more about certain drug interactions that can occur with Klonopin.

Interaction with opioids

Klonopin may interact with opioids, as described here. Opioids are drugs related to the opium poppy. They include strong prescription pain relievers, the illegal drug heroin, and certain drugs prescribed to treat opioid dependence.

Interaction with certain antidepressants

Klonopin can interact with certain antidepressants, especially tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as described here.

Interaction with stimulants

Klonopin can interact with stimulants, as described here. Stimulants are medications taken to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, and binge eating disorder.

Are there other interactions with Klonopin?

Klonopin may have other interactions, as described here. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Klonopin interact with supplements?

Klonopin currently has no reports of interacting with herbs or vitamins. But this does not mean that interactions with herbs or vitamins will not be recognized in the future.

Before you start taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about any supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. Be sure to mention if you take St. John’s wort, which can affect how the body processes some drugs. Sharing this information with them may help you avoid possible interactions.

Does Klonopin interact with food?

Klonopin currently has no reports of interacting with food. If you have questions about eating certain foods during your treatment with Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

Does Klonopin interact with vaccines or lab tests?

Klonopin currently has no reports of interacting with vaccines or lab tests. But it’s still important to check with your doctor before getting vaccines while taking Klonopin. Similarly, if you get lab tests during treatment, it’s important to tell your healthcare professional that you’re taking Klonopin.

Does Klonopin interact with cannabis or CBD?

Klonopin currently has no reports of interacting with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But Klonopin can cause sleepiness and problems with coordination, thinking, and memory. Cannabis and cannabis products also can have these effects. So taking these products with Klonopin could increase these effects.

As with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis with Klonopin.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Does my health history affect whether I should take Klonopin?

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may raise the risk of interactions with Klonopin. Before taking Klonopin, talk with your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether Klonopin is right for you.

Health conditions or other factors that might interact with Klonopin include:

Past drug or alcohol misuse or dependence: Klonopin is a benzodiazepine drug that has a risk of misuse and addiction. (See the top of this article for a boxed warning about misuse and addiction.) You may be more likely to have these problems with Klonopin if you have a history of drug or alcohol misuse or dependency. Your doctor will assess your risk of misuse and addiction before prescribing Klonopin.

Liver problems: Klonopin may build up in the body of a person with liver problems. This could increase the risk of Klonopin side effects. If you have a liver problem, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Klonopin that’s lower than usual. But if you have a severe liver problem, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Klonopin?” section.

Kidney problems: If you have a kidney problem, Klonopin may build up in your body. This could raise your risk of Klonopin side effects. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a dosage of Klonopin that’s lower than usual.

Lung or breathing problems: Klonopin can sometimes cause slow or shallow breathing. If you have a lung or breathing problem, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or sleep apnea, Klonopin could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor about whether Klonopin is right for you.

Porphyria: Klonopin may not be safe for you if you have a blood disorder called porphyria. Talk with your doctor about whether you can take this medication.

Older age: If you’re age 65 years or older, you may have a higher risk of side effects with Klonopin. These side effects include memory problems, sleepiness, and coordination problems that may increase the risk of falls. Talk with your doctor about whether this medication is right for you.

Pregnancy: Klonopin may not be safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medication.

Breastfeeding: Klonopin can pass into breast milk, possibly causing side effects in a child who’s breastfed. If you take Klonopin, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child.

Allergic reaction: Klonopin is a type of drug called a benzodiazepine. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Klonopin, any of its ingredients, or other benzodiazepine drugs, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Klonopin?” section.

Glaucoma: If you have acute closed-angle glaucoma, your doctor likely will not prescribe Klonopin. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you. For more information, see the “When should I avoid Klonopin?” section. But if you have open-angle glaucoma, it’s usually safe for you to take Klonopin, providing your glaucoma is being treated.

Mental health problems: In some people, Klonopin may cause unexpected reactions, such as irritability, anxiety, agitation, or hallucinations. In rare cases, Klonopin may also increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or actions. If you have a history of mental health problems, talk with your doctor about whether Klonopin is right for you. If you take Klonopin, talk with your doctor right away if you have any new or unusual changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior.

Common questions about Klonopin and interactions

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about Klonopin and possible interactions.

Are there interactions between Viagra and Klonopin?

No, interactions have not been reported between sildenafil (Viagra) and Klonopin. Klonopin can sometimes cause erectile dysfunction (ED) as a side effect. If you develop ED while taking Klonopin, your doctor may prescribe Viagra to treat this condition.

But both Viagra and Klonopin can cause dizziness, so taking them together may raise your risk of this side effect.

If you have concerns about taking Viagra with Klonopin, talk with your doctor.

Are there interactions between Claritin and Klonopin?

It’s not likely. Interactions have not been reported between loratadine (Claritin) and Klonopin.

Claritin is a type of allergy medication called a nonsedating antihistamine. It does not usually cause sleepiness. But on rare occasions, some people may feel sleepy while taking it. If Claritin does make you sleepy, you should avoid taking it with Klonopin because this could cause increased sleepiness. In this case, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a suitable alternative for Claritin.

If Claritin does not make you drowsy, it’s generally considered safe for you to take it with Klonopin.

For more information about taking Claritin during Klonopin treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is it safe to take ibuprofen and Klonopin together?

Yes, it’s considered safe to take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) with Klonopin. These medications don’t have a known interaction.

If you have questions about taking ibuprofen with Klonopin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How can I prevent interactions?

Taking certain steps can help you avoid interactions with Klonopin. Before starting treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Things to discuss with them include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you start taking a new drug during your Klonopin treatment.

It’s also important to read Klonopin’s label and other paperwork that comes with the drug. You may see colored stickers on the label that describe interactions. And the paperwork (sometimes called the prescribing information) may have other details about interactions. If you need help understanding this information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Taking Klonopin exactly as prescribed also can help prevent interactions.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.