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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 8:29:15
been on 2 mg of klonopin twice a day----no longer working---dr, wants me to go to 3 mg won't do it am going to argue with him to put me back on 2 mg of ativan...after a year klonopin seems to have lost their effectiveness ...i also take 600 tegretol which may make klonopin less effective...but i'm not sure...would klonopin have to be weaned or can i go right to the 2 mg ativan?
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2011, at 9:57:56
In reply to switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 8:29:15
You can cross over but for me the one time on klonopin it was stronger than ativan. So thinking may need higher dose than 2mg of ativan. I didn't find it that strong at all when benzos worked so well for me. BTW did you doc say if one benzo stops working taking another one will work? One of my docs did but haven't personally found this to be true. Seems they are so similar all the same. Xanax was told was different from others how don't know. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 19, 2011, at 12:22:59
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan » crazyjoe, posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2011, at 9:57:56
Tegretol can significantly lower the levels of BZD in your blood, so you would need a higher dose to compensate. I think that's another reason Trileptal is so popular (both for madness and epilepsy), since people often need their Klonopin in addition to the anticonvulsant, and I'm pretty sure Trilepal doesn't have the same effect as Tegretol.
If you got a Ativan, you'll need to take it more frequently and also take more just to keep your brain happy. Ativan is strong, but its not as potent as Klonopin. Since you don't want 3mgs Klonopin, the only compromise I can think of is keep the 2mgs Klonopin and add in as-needed Ativan at a low dose. That'll keep you from having to medicate 3x daily just to avoid withdrawals and also give you something to cover breakthrough agitation/anxiety/whatever. Just a thought.
Posted by SLS on November 19, 2011, at 15:22:01
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by Christ_empowered on November 19, 2011, at 12:22:59
> Tegretol can significantly lower the levels of BZD in your blood,
I wasn't aware of this.
- Scott
Posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 22:04:49
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on November 19, 2011, at 15:22:01
so what you are saying if i did take 3 mg of klonopin because of the tegretol in theory i'm really not getting the effect of 3mg...
Posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 22:08:02
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on November 19, 2011, at 15:22:01
also if taking an ssri does klonopin decrease serotonin working against it a little and therefore could cause a little depression in some
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 19, 2011, at 22:35:51
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 22:08:02
Hey. I can't find any information on Tegretol and benzos except for treatment of benzo withdrdawal. But I do seem to recall reading that it reduces benzos b/c of some enzyme thing. I dunno. Maybe I was wrong.
Anyway, Klonopin (and other benzos) can cause depression. I don't know what the exact mechanism is or how common it is. It seems to be more common with Klonopin, although Klonopin is sometimes combined with antidepressants for some people.
What else are you taking?
Posted by crazyjoe on November 20, 2011, at 1:17:21
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by Christ_empowered on November 19, 2011, at 22:35:51
cymbalta 60 ..tegretol 600 and the lamictal 100 and the klonopin...and its 2:15 after 1.5mg of klonopin at 10:00 still can't sleep...i think my body has gotten used to it after a year maybe back to ativan if doc will allow
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 20, 2011, at 1:25:26
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by crazyjoe on November 20, 2011, at 1:17:21
have you ever considered reducing or eliminating your antidepressant?
Posted by crazyjoe on November 20, 2011, at 11:36:30
In reply to Re: switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by Christ_empowered on November 20, 2011, at 1:25:26
need it for ocd....maybe a less stimulating one
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 20, 2011, at 17:13:44
In reply to switching from klonopin to ativan, posted by crazyjoe on November 19, 2011, at 8:29:15
Klonopin 4mg per day is about bouble the strength of Ativan 2mg per day, so you might need to cross taper, or start on a higher dose of Ativan and taper down.
Ativan comes as 2.5mg tablets, maybe start on them?
This is the end of the thread.
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