When You Can't Fill Your Clonazepam Prescription

Few things are more stressful than needing a medication and being told it's unavailable. If you've been prescribed Clonazepam (brand name Klonopin) and can't find it at your pharmacy, you're dealing with a problem that's affected thousands of patients since the ongoing shortage began in 2023.

Before switching to a different medication, we always recommend trying to locate Clonazepam first. Tools like Medfinder can help you find pharmacies that currently have it in stock. But if you've exhausted your options and your doctor agrees, there are legitimate alternatives worth discussing.

In this guide, we'll explain what Clonazepam does, how it works, and which medications your doctor might consider as substitutes.

What Is Clonazepam and What Does It Treat?

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine — a class of medications that work by calming overactive electrical signals in the brain. It's FDA-approved for:

• Seizure disorders — including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, myoclonic seizures, and absence seizures
• Panic disorder — with or without agoraphobia

Many doctors also prescribe Clonazepam off-label for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, restless legs syndrome, and REM sleep behavior disorder. For a deeper dive into its uses, see our article on what Clonazepam is and how it's used.

How Does Clonazepam Work?

Clonazepam enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces nerve activity in the brain. By binding to GABA-A receptors, Clonazepam increases the frequency of chloride ion channel opening, which makes neurons less excitable. This produces calming, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety effects.

Compared to other benzodiazepines, Clonazepam is considered long-acting and high-potency, which means its effects last longer and it works at lower doses. Learn more in our detailed guide on how Clonazepam works.

Alternatives to Clonazepam

Important: Never stop taking Clonazepam or switch medications on your own. Abruptly stopping a benzodiazepine can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including seizures. Always work with your doctor to make any medication changes.

Here are four alternatives your prescriber may consider:

1. Lorazepam (Ativan)

Lorazepam is another benzodiazepine that's commonly used for anxiety and seizure disorders. It's intermediate-acting, meaning its effects don't last as long as Clonazepam's, but it kicks in relatively quickly.

• Used for: Anxiety disorders, seizures (acute), insomnia, procedural sedation
• How it compares: Shorter duration of action (6-12 hours vs. Clonazepam's 12+ hours), so it may need to be taken more frequently. Available in oral tablets and injectable form.
• Good to know: Lorazepam doesn't rely as heavily on liver metabolism, making it a better option for patients with liver problems.

2. Diazepam (Valium)

Diazepam is one of the oldest and most well-known benzodiazepines. It's long-acting like Clonazepam and has a wide range of uses.

• Used for: Anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal
• How it compares: Very long half-life (20-100 hours including active metabolites), which means effects can accumulate over time. Available as tablets, oral solution, rectal gel, and nasal spray.
• Good to know: Because of its long half-life, Diazepam may cause more next-day drowsiness than Clonazepam in some patients.

3. Alprazolam (Xanax)

Alprazolam is a short-acting, high-potency benzodiazepine that's primarily prescribed for panic disorder and generalized anxiety.

• Used for: Panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
• How it compares: Faster onset but shorter duration of action (4-6 hours), so it's typically taken 2-3 times daily. Not usually used for seizure disorders.
• Good to know: Alprazolam has a higher risk of rebound anxiety and dependence compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines like Clonazepam. It's also subject to its own supply issues.

4. Clobazam (Onfi)

Clobazam is a benzodiazepine specifically used for seizure disorders — particularly as an add-on treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

• Used for: Seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (ages 2 and older)
• How it compares: Less sedating than traditional benzodiazepines. Not typically used for panic disorder or general anxiety. Available as oral tablets and oral suspension.
• Good to know: May be a good option if your Clonazepam is prescribed specifically for seizures, especially Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Non-Benzodiazepine Options

Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may also consider medications outside the benzodiazepine class:

• For panic disorder: SSRIs like Sertraline (Zoloft) or Paroxetine (Paxil) are first-line treatments that don't carry the same dependency risks as benzodiazepines.
• For seizures: Anticonvulsants like Levetiracetam (Keppra), Valproic Acid (Depakote), or Lamotrigine (Lamictal) may be appropriate alternatives.
• For anxiety: Buspirone is a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that works differently and doesn't cause dependence, though it takes several weeks to reach full effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

Losing access to a medication you rely on is unsettling, especially when it's a controlled substance like Clonazepam that requires a doctor's prescription and can't be stopped safely on your own.

Before switching to an alternative, try finding Clonazepam in stock near you using Medfinder. If you do need to switch, work closely with your doctor to find the safest and most effective option for your specific condition.

For information about potential side effects when starting a new medication, read our guide on Clonazepam side effects, and check Clonazepam drug interactions to understand what to avoid.