2006-07-01 10:58:04 · 4 answers · asked by Christian T 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Please don't take this drug. There ARE other alternatives. But, to answer your question, about 25-30 minutes. I'll pray that you will seek a second opinion about your mental health.
2006-07-01 11:00:28 · answer #1 · answered by KiWi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ick ick ick... nasty drug, indeed .. worse to kick for a habit than heroin and after it builds up in your system, the withdrawals are a huge trainwreck in your head.. my only suggestion is that if you have been on it for more than a week that you have your doctor taper you down and eventually off of the stuff.. it is VERY effective.. but should probably not be used as a regular prescription.. I take Ativan on an 'as needed' basis for the manic side of being bipolar.. same type of drug.. same horrible side effects.. read up on whatever your doctor prescribes or suggests.. you have the right to say no or get a second opinion or ask for an alternative medication.. Nobody knows you better than you, and nobody here can accurately pretend to understand your individual situation.. but you really should talk using this drug over with a second doctor/psychiatrist .. or a great source of information is the pharmacist that fills the prescription.. they have the time to discuss everything and are paid to know everything about the drugs.. and have all the manuals handy for what each drug does.. the positive and negative effects.. a list of things you should or shouldn't do while taking the medication..
Some doctors just walk in look at your folder and write out whatever drug prescription that pops into their head at the time.. or worse, they have been influenced by a pharmaceutical rep that pushes them to prescribe certain things more than is necessary for people that would not benefit from the drug to begin with. This does far more harm than good..
my only advice is do whatever you can to avoid long term use of klonopins.. they can ruin your life very easily.. have a lot of respect for this drug.. it's bad side will creep up on you before you can realize what is happening.. and once it takes over.. nothing good can come of it.
2006-07-01 15:51:09 · answer #2 · answered by lost_but_not_hopeless 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree wholeheartedly with KiWi - please look/ask for an alternative to this drug. This is one of a class of drugs called benzodiazapines and they are highly addictive. Their primary use is to reduce anxiety, which they are fast and effective at doing. What your doc doesn't tell you, though (and may not even know him/herself) is that this particular class of medications doesn't just block neuroreceptors, it actually destroys them! This sets you up for a never-ending cycle of needing more and more of the drug to accomplish the same results. PLEASE ask your doctor to a) prescribe one of the newer medications for anxiety that are not addictive and, b) refer you to a competent mental health professional to work on developing non-drug dependent strategies for managing your anxiety level effectively and quickly. This is not the quick fix you get with benzo's but it is far, FAR healthier, less expensive in the long run, and the effects last a lifetime vs. a few hours! :)
2006-07-01 11:48:37 · answer #3 · answered by Counselor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is to help you sleep, you should take it at bed time. It takes about 4 to 6 weeks to get blood level.
2006-07-01 14:33:51 · answer #4 · answered by wiltrk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋