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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by hok on December 16, 2002, at 14:38:49
Despite being on lexapro for 2 months now, I'm still having a lot of problems with anxiety. So my therapist wants me to try a low dose of klonopin as an adjunct. Can you please tell me what side effects I can expect? I am particularly concerned with any memory problems or sense of apathy/lack of drive that might arise from taking it.
I don't have any experience with the benzos, so any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance for any input.
Posted by BrittPark on December 16, 2002, at 15:28:39
In reply to doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise, posted by hok on December 16, 2002, at 14:38:49
When you first take a benzo expect a certain amount of drowsiness and, if they work for you (which is likely) relief of your anxiety. The drowsiness usually wears off in a week or two leaving nothing but the anxiolytic effect. Among the psychotropic medications benzos are probably the least objectionable in terms of side effects. Effective dosages of klonopin vary a good bit. Some people get relief from .5mg a day, others (rarely) need 4-6mg a day.
Feel better,
Britt
Posted by utopizen on December 16, 2002, at 20:09:41
In reply to Re: doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise » hok, posted by BrittPark on December 16, 2002, at 15:28:39
> When you first take a benzo expect a certain amount of drowsiness and, if they work for you (which is likely) relief of your anxiety. The drowsiness usually wears off in a week or two leaving nothing but the anxiolytic effect. Among the psychotropic medications benzos are probably the least objectionable in terms of side effects. Effective dosages of klonopin vary a good bit. Some people get relief from .5mg a day, others (rarely) need 4-6mg a day.
>seizure patients need 4-6 mg/day.... a little information is a dangerous thing. What if he convinced himself he needed 4-6 mg??
> Feel better,
>
> Britt
>
Posted by BrittPark on December 16, 2002, at 20:32:59
In reply to Re: doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise, posted by utopizen on December 16, 2002, at 20:09:41
Actually 4-6mg is common for people with severe Panic Disorder. As an anticonvulsant the doses are in the 10mg a day range. Ask your friendly psychiatrist or neurologist ;)
Posted by viridis on December 17, 2002, at 0:26:20
In reply to Re: doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise » utopizen, posted by BrittPark on December 16, 2002, at 20:32:59
Re: doses of Klonopin: When I started on K I was in the midst of a series of panic attacks (they tend to occur in clusters for me). My psychiatrist prescribed 1 mg K/day, but said that this was very conservative for panic disorder, and probably just a starting point. It worked immediately though, and continues to prevent panic and serious anxiety in general at the same dose. He asked me several times if I was sure this was an adequate amount, and seemed surprised that such a small dose could be effective for someone prone to severe anxiety. According to him, panic patients often need "several times" this amount (meaning, I guess, a few mg).
However, from what I can tell, 1-2 mg is pretty typical for the non-panic range of anxiety disorders, although of course it's individual- specific, as you point out.
I think that for epilepsy, doses can run as high as 20 mg/day.
As for side effects, I was a bit sleepy/clumsy/forgetful for the first week or two, but that quickly disappeared and now I don't notice any side effects at all.
Posted by kara lynne on December 17, 2002, at 12:05:22
In reply to doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise, posted by hok on December 16, 2002, at 14:38:49
I have a prescription for 1mg. tablets twice a day. I've never needed to take more than half the tablet for the entire day. (I don't take it everyday-- I go through periods where I need it more or less). At first I did have some disturbing short term memory problems, but those pretty much went away. I would suggest starting on the low side and seeing how it works for you-- it takes about an hour (some say) to get to work, and it lasts pretty long. Good luck.
Posted by Joanie on December 17, 2002, at 12:21:22
In reply to doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise, posted by hok on December 16, 2002, at 14:38:49
I've been on lexapro for about 3 months and take klonopin along with it. Personally I don't think I could take the lexapro without taking the other - too anxious. For me, klonopin helps me to relax and calm down. For the first maybe 30 minutes or so, sometimes I can feel a little, and I do mean a little, high I guess. But after that, just more relaxed and in control. And I sleep better at night also. Good luck.
Posted by kara lynne on December 17, 2002, at 12:29:35
In reply to Re: doc just prescribed klonopin - please advise, posted by kara lynne on December 17, 2002, at 12:05:22
Sorry, I just looked at my bottle and the prescription is for half a tablet during the day and one at bedtime. Still, I've rarely (if ever)used a whole tab for the entire day. I bread the half into quarters. And by the way I'm also another one in the Lexapro anxiety club-- maybe the next version will be better.
Posted by hok on December 18, 2002, at 13:24:13
In reply to Correction..., posted by kara lynne on December 17, 2002, at 12:29:35
thanks for the input. I am starting on a low dose of .25 2x daily tomorrow.
Just wanted to know if anybody has experienced any significant lack of drive or sense of apathy induced by klonopin. Considering this is already a relevant issue with me, I don't want to exacerbate it.
Posted by kara lynne on December 18, 2002, at 18:33:28
In reply to klonopin and apathy, posted by hok on December 18, 2002, at 13:24:13
I don't think so at all, once you get past the original sedation. Personally I'm much more inclined to involve myself in things when the grating, energy sapping edge of anxiety is reduced. Also Klonopin can be used for social phobia, which would hopefully mean more interaction in life than less. It definitely doesn't have that dulling effect for me, that some antidepressants do. Just takes that debilitating edge off. Good luck.
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