Does Klonopin Make You Sleepy?

This can be somewhat offset by adopting a healthy daily routine, but you should talk to a doctor if your drowsiness seems severe or seriously impacts your quality of life.

Does Klonopin Make You Tired?

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine. This class of medications have a sedative-hypnotic effect on the brain, helping to slow abnormal brain activity. 

One of the most common unwanted side effects associated with these medications is feeling sleepy during the daytime, when most people would ordinarily want to feel awake and alert.

Klonopin, Anxiety & Insomnia

Klonopin has several uses, but one of the primary ways it can be used is as a short-term treatment for severe anxiety and panic disorders. It’s possible that you may feel sleepier or more regularly sleep, simply because Klonopin has properly addressed some of the symptoms associated with these issues and made it easier to rest. 

Benzodiazepines are also sometimes prescribed for short-term insomnia relief. While not necessarily ineffective as a short-term sleep aid, there are some problems with its use for this purpose, notably that using benzodiazepines for too long is associated with significant potential for dependence. 

There is also evidence that some approaches like routine exercise can offer the same level of help with insomnia but with more health benefits and fewer downsides.

Why Are You So Tired on Klonopin?

It’s normal to feel more tired on Klonopin for the first few days of taking it, with drowsiness decreasing over time. A higher dose is more likely to cause you to feel tired on Klonopin as well. 

With that said, you shouldn’t generally feel debilitated when taking Klonopin, struggling to function in your day-to-day life due to drowsiness. If you do, talk to your doctor since this signifies a problem.

You shouldn’t mix Klonopin with substances such as herbal medicines that are intended to address anxiety or insomnia, as mixing these substances is understudied. The combination may intensify your drowsiness and cause other problems. 

You also should never mix Klonopin with depressant drugs like alcohol, which can cause sleep so deep that it is difficult to awaken. The combination may even cause life-threatening respiratory depression, so avoid this combination altogether.

Factors That Impact Lethargy & Drowsiness

Some factors that may impact how lethargic and drowsy you feel while on Klonopin or similar medications include the following:

• Your size and body type
• Any health conditions affecting how your body processes drugs
• The dose you are taking
• How long you have been taking your medication
• Your daily routine, including when you awaken and go to sleep
• If you are taking Klonopin with any other substance associated with drowsiness or similar symptoms (which should never be done without first talking to a doctor)

Tips for Feeling Less Tired While on Klonopin

Some tips to help you feel less tired while on Klonopin include the following:

• Only ever take your medication as prescribed (which is also important for health and safety reasons).
• Establish and follow a healthy sleeping and waking routine.
• Eat healthy and engage in regular exercise.
• Spend time outside every day when possible.

If you feel so tired while on Klonopin that it is notably impacting your quality of life, you should talk to a doctor right away. This is especially important if you’re so tired during the day that you sometimes feel like you might fall asleep without wanting to. This can be very dangerous in some situations, such as while driving. 

While some drowsiness is normal, your doctor can help you find ways to continue living a full life. They may make adjustments to your prescription if the dose is having too intense an effect, or they might find an alternative medication that works well for you without this side effect.