Can you use marijuana if you take Klonopin?

Both cannabis and clonazepam (Klonopin) may help relieve anxiety. But combining them can increase your risk of certain side effects, including drowsiness and dizziness.

It’s important to understand how cannabis and Klonopin can interact with each other to manage your anxiety symptoms safely.

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What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is a prescription medication used to treat anxiety disorders. It can also be prescribed for:

• Insomnia
• Epilepsy and seizures
• Muscle spasms
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS) (off-label usage)

How does Klonopin work?

Klonopin belongs to a class of prescription medications called benzodiazepines.  Benzodiazepines increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that can help you feel calm.

Klonopin is typically prescribed for short-term or as-needed use when treating anxiety due to the risk of dependence and withdrawal with long-term use. However, in some cases, such as seizure disorders, long-term use may be appropriate under close medical supervision.

Even when used short-term, Klonopin can cause side effects, such as:

• Brain fog
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Memory problems
• Confusion
• Poor balance or coordination

Your doctor will help you decide on a dosage amount that minimizes your risk of side effects.

Is it safe to take Klonopin and weed?

There’s limited research on the interaction between cannabis and Klonopin. But combining them may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Poor balance or coordination
• Confusion
• Memory problems

Cannabis can also inhibit liver enzymes that help your body break down and metabolize certain medications, including Klonopin. This means that taking them together can make their effects stronger and longer-lasting.

High doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may worsen anxiety, especially in people who are sensitive to its psychoactive effects. If you’re prone to anxiety, consider starting with a low-THC, high-CBD or 1:1 THC:CBD cannabis product. A Leafwell pharmacist or healthcare professional can provide personalized dosing guidance.

Can I mix CBD and Klonopin together?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a nonintoxicating cannabis compound that may help with:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Inflammation
• Pain

Like Klonopin, CBD may cause:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

Combining CBD and Klonopin may increase the risk of these side effects.

CBD may also inhibit liver enzymes that help metabolize Klonopin. Mixing them can cause Klonopin’s effects to feel stronger and last longer.

Benefits of combining Klonopin and cannabis

Evidence shows that taking cannabis and Klonopin together may offer some benefits. But before combining them, ask your doctor how to take them together safely.

• Reduced medication intake: Some observational studies suggest that using cannabis may help certain people reduce their reliance on benzodiazepines. However, this should only be done under medical supervision, as combining the two substances may also increase the side effects of both cannabis and Klonopin.

• Increased anti-anxiety effects: Both cannabis and Klonopin can help ease anxiety, so taking them together may enhance this benefit.

How to take weed and Klonopin

Ask your doctor about taking Klonopin and cannabis together. They may help you develop a dosing plan that lowers your risk of experiencing side effects.

You can also follow these general safety tips:

• Start low and go slow: Start out with low doses of both Klonopin and cannabis. Increase each dose only as needed (under your doctor’s supervision) until you achieve the desired results.
• Be mindful of timing: Try taking your cannabis and Klonopin doses at different times to minimize the risk of potential side effects. Inhaled cannabis can take effect in 15 minutes and last for 3 hours. Cannabis edibles can take effect in 1 to 2 hours and last for up to 8 hours. Klonopin can take effect in 1 hour and last for 6 to 12 hours.
• Ask about other medications: If you’re taking additional medications, ask your doctor if they’re safe to combine with Klonopin and cannabis.

The takeaway: Ask your doctor about taking cannabis and Klonopin together

Both cannabis and Klonopin can help ease anxiety. But combining them increases the risk of certain side effects, such as sedation, confusion, and falls.

Before combining Klonopin and cannabis, talk with your doctor or a Leafwell provider about how to take them together safely.

Resources

• A case report of clonazepam dependence. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4782857/
• Cannabinoid interactions with cytochrome P450 drug metabolism: A full-spectrum characterization. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181150/
• Cannabis and anxiety: A critical review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10890807/
• Clonazepam. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556010/
• Reduction of benzodiazepine use in patients prescribed medical cannabis. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6757237/