The Dangers Of Injecting Klonopin (Clonazepam Intravenous Use)

Medically reviewed by

Isaac Alexis, M.D., AAMA, AMP-BC

April 2, 2019

Abusing Klonopin (clonazepam) in any form can be dangerous, but injecting it can put people at risk for additional negative side effects. These may include bloodborne illnesses, infection, and overdose.

Klonopin is a benzodiazepine prescribed in the treatment of certain seizure disorders in adults and children. This drug can also be used to treat certain panic disorders in adults.

How Does Klonopin Work?

Clonazepam increases the GABA neurotransmitters in the brain. It can also make them more effective. GABA is the neurotransmitter responsible for sending and receiving nerve signals in the brain.

This chemical plays an important role in cognition, behavior, and how the body responds to stress. Having low GABA levels can lead to depression and anxiety as well as other mood disorders.

Benzodiazepines like Klonopin bind to the GABA receptors to produce a calming effect. They slow down the central nervous system and can make people sleepy. Taken at higher doses, clonazepam can produce feelings of euphoria and intense relaxation.

Why Would Someone Inject Klonopin?

Klonopin abuse is when someone takes more of the drug than what is prescribed or in ways other than how it is prescribed. People who abuse Klonopin do so in a number of ways, including by snorting or injecting the drug.

Clonazepam has a high risk of abuse and physical dependence. Dependence on this drug can be built up even when taken as prescribed. By acting on the GABA receptors in the brain, Klonopin reduces anxiety and stress and increases overall relaxation.

When a person is dependent on this substance, he or she may have a hard time feeling relaxed when not on the drug. This can lead to people taking the drug for a longer period of time or taking more of the drug to feel its effects.

A tolerance to Klonopin can also be built up, especially when someone is abusing it. This means that a person will need more of the drug to feel the same effects.

All of these instances can lead to people injecting the drug. Injecting a substance causes it to reach the brain and bloodstream much faster than taking it orally. This can cause a much more intense and faster high.

Dangers Of Injecting Klonopin

Shoot Klonopin can put people at risk for a number of health dangers. Injecting this drug can produce more powerful and faster effects, but it can also be dangerous and even deadly.

Dangers associated with injecting Klonopin include:

Infections

Shooting up Klonopin can people at an increased risk for infections, especially at the injection site. This is especially true when dirty or used needles are used or the area of injection is not properly cleaned. Infections can spread to the heart and other parts of the body and cause a number of health problems.

Drug interactions

Many people who inject Klonopin first crush it and dissolve it with a number substance like alcohol. This can dangerous in and of itself.

Overdose

Injecting Klonopin puts people at an elevated risk of overdose. This is in part due to how quickly the drug reaches the brain when injected. If a person’s body is unable to handle the effects, he or she is at risk for dangerous respiratory depression or even death.

Bloodborne Illnesses

Injecting any drug can lead to the contraction of bloodborne illnesses like HIV and hepatitis. These conditions can be serious and require medical treatment.

Side Effects Of Injecting Klonopin

Abusing Klonopin can put people at an increased risk of experiencing its negative side effects. The more a person takes, the more likely he or she is to deal with these side effects.

Common side effects of Klonopin include:

• clumsiness
• confusion
• dizziness
• constipation
• memory loss
• depression
• fatigue
• muscle pain
• low libido
• upper respiratory problems like injection and congestion

Additionally, excess quantities of Klonopin can cause other side effects. These may include:

• agitation
• irritability
• depersonalization
• hallucinations
• insomnia
• suicidal ideations
• manic behavior
• heart problems, such as palpitations or tachycardia
• nosebleeds
• urinary problems
• twitching

Abusing Klonopin can lead to struggles with overall decreased body function and energy. However, after a period of time, a paradoxical reaction can occur. This is when the drug has the opposite effects of what it did before. Paradoxical effects of Klonopin can include anxiety, agitation, and irritability.

Getting Help For Klonopin Abuse And Addiction

Injecting Klonopin is often a sign of abuse and potential addiction to the drug. Getting help for a Klonopin addiction can be hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Many people begin by first attending a medically supervised detox program. This is because Klonopin can have a number of withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and tremors. A detox program helps people overcome these symptoms and provides a safe environment for recovery.

Once a detox program is completed, most people will continue on to a formal treatment program. The most common type of treatment for addiction is an inpatient program. Inpatient treatment offers daily intensive programs of recovery and has high success rates of lasting sobriety.

To learn more about the dangers of injecting Klonopin and the treatment options available for Klonopin addiction, contact us today.