Is clonazepam tablet safe for an old lady 80 yrs who is a patient of dementia nd presently suffring from a stage of insomnia?

Weigh risk/ benefit: It is difficult to answer this without knowing why/ when she was given klonopin (clonazepam). In general, benzodiazepines are best not used in the elderly due to the risk of falls as well as possibly increasing confusion. It is also not specifically a sleeping pill. If she has been on it for a long time, she may have difficulty weaning off.

Probably not: Clonazepam is a strong and more importantly, long acting sedating medication. This medication is usually used for anxiety. I don't recommend using this medication for insomnia, as it would be an off-label use. In addition, the side effects of this medication may be more profound in the elderly.

Klonopin (clonazepam) : Not a sleep medicin but anxiolytic with long half life.

Would avoid: Clonazepam is a sedative tranquilizer benzodiazepine, with substantial anticholinergic side effects, and can have paradoxical reactions in the elderly, such as agitation, delirium, sundowning, wandering. I would avoid and maybe try Lunesta (eszopiclone) instead.

Clonazepam: Like several of my colleagues, i'd be concerned about Clonazepam building up and causing worsening mental status, dizziness, falls, etc. It's also not fda-approved for insomnia even though many doctors use it that way. I wonder if low dose melatonin (.3mg - 1 mg) might be helpful without causing these other potential problems.