Clonazepam is used to treat panic disorder and seizures. Clonazepam does carry serious side effects, such as thoughts of suicide and depression, and may cause less harmful side effects such as rosacea. It is important to take the medication as directed by your physician to prevent increased side effects or symptoms of withdrawal while weaning off the medication.
Skin Disorders
Clonazepam may cause certain skin disorders to flare such as flushing, contact dermatitis, pruritus, pustular reaction and worsen skin burns and alopecia, or hair loss, according to Drugs.com. Rosacea is characterized by flushing of the skin, or frequent redness of the face. Rosacea is a disease that can cause inflammatory conditions; clonazepam can worsen the inflammatory properties characterized by rosacea.
Rosacea
Rosacea is typically accompanied by thick skin on your nose, cheeks and forehead, small red lines under your skin and red, dry itchy eyes and sometimes you may even suffer from vision problems. Your nose may also swell while you're suffering an outbreak of rosacea and your face will frequently have a red appearance during an outbreak. There is no known cause of rosacea, according to MedlinePlus, but certain medications, environmental factors and genetics may play a role.
Treatment
If your rosacea begins to flare, talk to your doctor about prescription drugs to help treat your condition. There are topical creams that help reduce the inflammation and redness associated with rosacea. They may cause skin irritation and burning or stinging of the skin, according to MayoClinic.com. Your doctor may elect to prescribe oral antibiotics to help treat rosacea and kill inflammatory bacterium that live within your pores. Isotretinoin may also help. Isotretinoin is an oral anti-inflammatory medication used to treat acne, rosacea and other serious skin conditions. If rosacea is affecting your eyes, your doctor may prescribe steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation in your eyes. If necessary, your physician may discuss surgery to correct enlarged blood vessels that contribute to rosacea.
Drug Interactions
Clonazepam can interact with other drugs, such as antibiotics and antifungal mediations. These medications may be used to treat rosacea or other acne conditions of the face. It is important to let your health care provider know if you take these medications prior to taking clonazepam. Other drug intractions include propantheline, antidepressants, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and medications used to treat psychiatric disorders.
