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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
Klonopin (Clonazepam) and Lexapro taken together - depression worsened?
I have been on 10 mg Lexapro since past 9 weeks, which was upped to 15mg a week ago.
My bad moods/depression was taken care of my lexapro in 6-7th week but a flatness in mood was noticed so my doc upped the dose to 15 mg.
I noticed insomnia after the increase in dosage, so my doc asked me to add 0.25mg Clonazepam (klonopin) to 15mg lexapro and take after dinner.
So I skipped my yesterday morning's lexapro dose and took it along with clonazepam in the night.
After waking up in the morning and through out the day I have been feeling depressed and drowsy.
Could it be becuase of the combo:?
Posted by JayBTV2 on March 13, 2010, at 8:44:50
In reply to Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
I'd give it some more time. It's one night. However Klonopin can be a bit depressive. I have a script for Klonopin but rarely take it cause it does at times exacerbate my depression.
If this keeps up though call your doc and maybe he/she can give you something else for sleep. Trazodone maybe...
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2010, at 12:17:43
In reply to Re: Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 13, 2010, at 8:44:50
Klonopin I also found depressing and very strong. I now only take a benzo at night. Phillipa
Posted by nolegirl323 on March 14, 2010, at 3:42:42
In reply to Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
I have the same question about Klonopin (and any other benzo for that matter) regarding depression. I took Lexapro for about 3 years, and for three years, it worked wonders for my depression. However, I'm also prescribed Xanax for anxiety; and when I needed to take a Xanax to deal with an anxiety attack, I did notice that shortly after taking Xanax, I did feel depressed.
Unlike you, with Lexapro, I had the opposite of insomnia - Lexapro made me so sleepy I could barely tolerate it until I got used to it. Then when you put Xanax in the picture, I was a zombie (which was fine with me at the time due to my depression).
Now I take Effexor XR 150 mgs once per day, and am on 1 mg of Klonopin three times per daay. I do notice that after I take Klonopin, I feel more depressed than I had before I took it. I get weepy and sad and melancholy, BUT, the anxiety is gone, so I'm trying to weigh the benefits vs. the adverse effects.
To answer your question as best I can, I do believe, based on my own personal experience, that benzos DO tend to cause a more depressed state.
Having said that, this has been my own personal experience, and I can't say that this is the case for everybody. Fortunately, there are a lot of knowlegable people here who can guide you further.
good luck!
Shanon
Posted by linkadge on March 14, 2010, at 16:08:41
In reply to Re: Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by nolegirl323 on March 14, 2010, at 3:42:42
Clonazepam seems to be a bit more depressing than other benzos. You could switch to trazodone as mentioned or low dose amitriptyline. Alternatively xanax (despite previous post) is generally less emotionally depressing than other benzos. In japan it is used as an antidepressant.
Linkadge
Posted by bleauberry on March 14, 2010, at 18:27:14
In reply to Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
Lunesta, xanax, or even benadryl would probably be friendlier sleep meds. Klonopin can cause or worsen depression. One of lexapro's functions is to inhibit norepinephrine firing, which could account for the flatness. Add in some klono and further shut down NE for a rather depression feeling.
Remeron in a tiny dose (1mg to max 7.5mg) would do the trick. Split or cut pills to custom size.
I personally do not believe benzos should be used for sleep. Especially when there is already a complaint of flatness.
I personally do not believe the dose of a ssri should be increased when there is a complaint of flatness. If anything, it would probably need to be lowered. But of course, anything and everything is possible, so we kinda have to try things to see what happens.
Posted by herpills on March 15, 2010, at 14:32:11
In reply to Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
> Klonopin (Clonazepam) and Lexapro taken together - depression worsened?
> I have been on 10 mg Lexapro since past 9 weeks, which was upped to 15mg a week ago.
> My bad moods/depression was taken care of my lexapro in 6-7th week but a flatness in mood was noticed so my doc upped the dose to 15 mg.
> I noticed insomnia after the increase in dosage, so my doc asked me to add 0.25mg Clonazepam (klonopin) to 15mg lexapro and take after dinner.
> So I skipped my yesterday morning's lexapro dose and took it along with clonazepam in the night.
> After waking up in the morning and through out the day I have been feeling depressed and drowsy.
> Could it be becuase of the combo:?
>I really think that is too low of a klonopin dose to cause depression. Especially in combination with your somewhat higher dose of lexapro I just don't think there is a connection there...
herpills
Posted by qbsbrown on March 21, 2010, at 20:37:58
In reply to Clonazepam and lexapro combo: more depression?, posted by vic80 on March 13, 2010, at 6:35:01
Out of all of the benzos, klonopin has the highest affinity to actually induce depression. Are there other benzos that your doc might consider?
This is the end of the thread.
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