Questions about Klonopin?

Question

I got it prescribed wed. after 8 and a half hours in the Emergency room after almost fainting from a panic attack I've been having panic attacks for over a week now.....It's 0.5Mg and I have to break it in half (.25)...again , It's for my Panic attacks...I used to take Alprazolam 0.25Mg , but I didnt react very well to it...I got tired for 2 hours then I got rebound increased anxiety...but anyway, What happens when you take klonopin? what do you feel like?, and how long does it last in your body? and what are the side effects? I'm afraid something bad will happen after I take it, like an allergic reaction or something else...I never took it yet...I have like a...bad bad phobia of taking pills/meds...Thanks!

Answer 1

Klonopin is useful alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (petit mal variant), akinetic and myoclonic seizures. In patients with absence seizures (petit mal) who have failed to respond to succinimides, Klonopin may be useful.

In some studies, up to 30% of patients have shown a loss of anticonvulsant activity, often within three months of administration. In some cases, dosage adjustment may reestablish efficacy.

comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clonazepam exactly as directed.

Clonazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses even if you feel that you do not need them. Do not take Klonopin (clonazepam)for more than 4 months or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.

If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects from clonazepam are common and include:

drowsiness
dizziness
tiredness
weakness
dry mouth
diarrhea
upset stomach
changes in appetite

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

restlessness or excitement
constipation
difficulty urinating
frequent urination
blurred vision
changes in sex drive or ability

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

seizures
shuffling walk
persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still
fever
difficulty breathing or swallowing
severe skin rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
irregular heartbeat

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Answer 2

Nothing. I take 1mg in the morning and 0.5mg at night. I have no side effects and I don't feel it doing anything to me. It's about what I DON'T feel that's important. I don't have the same amount of extreme anxiety, paranoia or panic attacks anymore. I feel 'normal'. When I forget to take a pill, I feel the anxiety coming back and I have mild panic attacks again. I do not get tired or feel drugged when on Klonopin. It works well for me.

I also take 30mg of Lexapro and 10mg of Abilify. Before Klonopin, I was taking Ativan and I was addicted within a few weeks. That was a medication where I felt the effects. I felt a bit drugged and really calm very fast. The Klonopin works without me feeling it working (if you know what I mean). It is long lasting but I do not feel it 'kick in' or wear off. I just feel normal all the time. It's when I forget to take the pills that I feel a bit crazy again.

Answer 3

Klonopin stays in your system for many more hours than does Xanax or Valium--BUT, it takes 1/2 to 1 hour to start working. I have gotten into the habit of taking one an hour before I need to leave the house.

Klonopin is also used to treat seizures. Never stop taking it suddenly--because even if you've never had a seizure before--you could get one as a result of Klonopin withdrawal.

Sometimes you get sore gums while taking Klonopin--that usually doesn't last for long.

I've been taking it (the generic--clonazepam) for 10 years, and have never had a problem with it. It does prevent panic attacks--though if I am really stressed, it doesn't stop extreme anxiety--but neither did Xanax or Valium.

Answer 4

If I were you I would get another doc to talk to you. I have been taking if for over 10 years and can't get off of it. I have taking 3 mg. It does nothing for my anxiety at this point it just keeps me from going into withdrawal. I tried to stop once and I got so sick, i had hallucinations , headaches, stomach pain, could not sleep or eat. It was horrible. My doctor took one look and said you are in total withdrawal and had me start taking them again. It is going to be a long road for me to ever get off of them. After ah wile that stuff just does not help and yo need to get to the bottom of the problem, I wish I had been given better advise when they gave it to me. I also had been taking Manx as well. And I went cold turkey off of them. I went through about 3 days of not sleeping and jerking but I got through it. When I went to my doc 3 weeks later, he said that I could have went into a seizure. He said he had seen more people die from going off of that than heroin. I had still been having trouble sleeping so he put me on Klonopin. He said that is was not addicting like zanax or Alprazlolam , but he was wrong. The docs all still think this to be true, it is not. get off of it as fast as you can and try other methods for calming yourself. of course with your docs advise first. anyhow that is my suggestion. good luck












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Answer 5

be sure before you start this med..i was on it for 3 yrs and just got off of it not knowing it was addicting..i went through withdrawals for 13 days..i had no clue what was going on with me..no sleep, it was the most horrible thing i ever went through..hope this helps