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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on October 6, 2002, at 15:20:27
how many times a day do you guys take klonopin to achieve a steady anti-anxiety effect?
Posted by SBOATRN on October 6, 2002, at 16:00:52
In reply to Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by cybercafe on October 6, 2002, at 15:20:27
I'm not really a long termer (as of yet) but this is my second round after a 2 weeks totally off that were not tolerable. That time evidenced it was NOT time to come off for me. I take a fairly low dose at this time. First time, I took it twice a day..... this time I split AM dose and take 1/2 on awaking and then 1/2 again about 2PM- 3PM. Full dose before bed. This works better for me as evenings are worse for symptoms. Also, helps with brain fog and body fatigue I experience in first few weeks or so on. Know this shows up from past experience... but improves with time. Half life on Klonopin is longer, but the "longer" doesn't hold me at twice a day. Three times seems to work better. Work with your doc on what you can do. Hope this helps. Good luck in achieving good control.
Posted by MJC on October 6, 2002, at 16:44:34
In reply to Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by cybercafe on October 6, 2002, at 15:20:27
I'm a fairly long termer on Clonazepam (Klonopin) as I've been on the drug for the better part of 2 years now. This is the best way for me to take the medication. I'm allowed up to 1.5mg per day. In the mornings, after I've woken up completely, I'll take .25mg. Then, if needed, about 4-5 hours later I'll take another .25mg. If I'm having a bad day and after the first .5mg doses, I'll give myself another .25mg a little bit after supper. Then about an hour before bed, I'll take .25mg, then a half hour before bed, I'll take the other .25. Then, if you're prescribed Trazadone as well, I'll take that right before crawling into bed. This gives me a great sleep and keeps my anxiety somewhat under control all day while allowing me to function completely normal.I find that if I were to take .5mg in the morning, then maybe .5mg in the afternoon, then .5mg before bed, I'd be completely sedated and stoned out of my tree for the majority of the day.
Posted by Burt on October 6, 2002, at 21:55:31
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by MJC on October 6, 2002, at 16:44:34
Here is one thing to know about Klonopin: It tends to have a distinct "peak" shortly (20 - 60 minutes) after intake, and then it tapers off.
If the intent is to put you to sleep, then the full dosis should be taken, and you should go to bed and close your eyes without undue delay.
If it's taken during the day, then the "peak" effect should be taken into consideration. I wouldn't plan major activities for the peak time.
Posted by viridis on October 7, 2002, at 0:48:28
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by Burt on October 6, 2002, at 21:55:31
I started a little over a year ago by taking 1 mg before bed. However, the anti-anxiety effects wore off by mid-morning, so I changed to 0.25 mg 4X/day, and quickly moved to 0.5 mg 2X/day. For the first couple of weeks (with these divided doses) I had some sleepiness and clumsiness, but this soon subsided. Then I shifted to taking it once a day -- 1 mg in the morning. This has worked fine for the last year or so without any side effects or problems, and keeps my anxiety under control very successfully. I do take Xanax (0.25-0.50 mg) occasionally as well for very stressful situations, but rarely need it -- K is very effective for me.
Posted by cybercafe on October 7, 2002, at 13:13:55
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by viridis on October 7, 2002, at 0:48:28
Thanks guys .. i have no prob falling asleep
at night (with or without klon)i *need* it in morning for work BUT i wonder if
i should "force" myself to take it on a regular
basis (after work, weekends, at night) so as to
get my body used to the sleepiness ....short version/the question
--------------------------
what's the best way to get your body used to the
sleepiness but not the good anti-anxiety effect?
Posted by Ivy on October 7, 2002, at 17:12:58
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by cybercafe on October 7, 2002, at 13:13:55
I have been on klonopin for 4 years. I used to take 2 mg a day, but I have tapered off to 1 1/2. I take 3/4 in the morning, 1/4 in the afternoon, and 1/2 at night. I think it really depends on how much anxiety you feel when you wake up. When my night dose wears off I jump from my sleep and instantly take my morning dose. In the afternoon I don't need as much and I need more energy so I take the small dose. I hope this has helped you.
Posted by The Kenosha Kid on October 11, 2002, at 5:42:12
In reply to Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by cybercafe on October 6, 2002, at 15:20:27
>
> how many times a day do you guys take klonopin to achieve a steady anti-anxiety effect?I've been taking klonopin for six years for panic/anxiety disorder and bipolar induced insomnia. I'm currently down to .5 milligram, but the dose has been as high as 5 milligrams. I have _always_ taken the entire dose before bed. I can count the exceptions on one hand: a long, stormy plane ride, my wedding, my brother's funeral, etc.
The initial problem felt like a constant electric charge punctuated by frequent blasts of lightening (panic attacks). Klonopin was, and remains, a miracle drug for me.
Posted by Rick on October 12, 2002, at 19:45:46
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ?, posted by cybercafe on October 7, 2002, at 13:13:55
> i *need* it in morning for work BUT i wonder if
> i should "force" myself to take it on a regular
> basis (after work, weekends, at night) so as to
> get my body used to the sleepiness ....If you've been taking Klonopin regularly yet it makes you sleepy, perhaps you're taking more than you need and/or combining it with other med(s) that lead to a fatigue-inducing combo.
I started Klonopin over three years ago for non-depressive social phobia. I was taking 3 mg, which helped a lot, but soon found out that taking 2 mg was *more* effective, in part because it lessened the chance of lethargy.
I used to take divided doses, but quickly learned:
-- That taking more than 1-1.25 mg at one time
caused some lethargy, and
-- Taking it at bedtime was always bad news for
me, since I would wake up kinda groggy.So, if you need more than 1.25 mg a day, I'd suggest you try divided doses that are at least 3-4 hours apart. If you're still fatigued, low-dose Provigil can add wakefulness without renewed anxiety or the untoward side effects that can come from traditional amphetamine-related stimulants. *Very* low-dose selegiline might also help (if not contra-indicated with your other meds), as can plain old caffeine if you happen to be one of those anxious people for whom it *doesn't* have anxiogenic effect.
BTW, I'm now down to 1 mg/day Klonopin, so I take it all first thing in the morning. Doesn't make me sleepy, but with its long half-life and great efficacy against anxiety, it still remains a cure for the insomnia I used to have.
Rick
Posted by Franz on October 14, 2002, at 0:36:31
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ? » cybercafe, posted by Rick on October 12, 2002, at 19:45:46
Rick, I have a question, can you take Klonopin first thing in the morning and still have a cup of coffee or will it cancel the effect of Klonopin?.
I can´t do it without some coffee or tea.
I want to know because I have read suggestions to take the anxiolytic *before* anxiety developes. I sometimes use a low dose alprazolam (.025) kate or before sleeping, but maybe it is better to have it during the day. Altghough, alprazolam is shorter in action (never tried Klonopin).
Thanks
Posted by Rick on October 14, 2002, at 19:14:48
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ? » Rick , posted by Franz on October 14, 2002, at 0:36:31
> Rick, I have a question, can you take Klonopin first thing in the morning and still have a cup of coffee or will it cancel the effect of Klonopin?.
I do so often, especially on weekends. Sometimes it can make the Klonopin a little less effective, but one cup won't usually have much of a detrimental effect. Greater amounts are more likely to cause some degree of breakthrough anxiety for me, but still a *lot* milder than if I weren't taking Klonopin. I'm a little more cautious when I have a known anxiety "challenge" coming up, although even in that case there's no hard and fast rule. It all depends on the individual. Just find what works for you. I don't know your particualar circumstances, but I'd wager one cup of coffee isn't going to come anywhere near canceling your benefit from morning Klonopin.
> I want to know because I have read suggestions to take the anxiolytic *before* anxiety develops.
I agree with that. That's why it's good to have this longer-acting med in my system continually. I rarely take an as-needed "booster" anymore, but when I did I tried to take it 30-90 minutes before a situation that traditionally provoked anxiety (e.g., giving a presentation). If I were prone to non-situational panic I might also want to have a shorter-acting benzo on hand. (Fyi, before taking daily Klonopin I had tried as-needed Xanax/alprazolam for my social phobia, with much less success).
>I sometimes use a low dose alprazolam (.025) kate or before sleeping, but maybe it is better to have it during the day. Altghough, alprazolam is shorter in action (never tried Klonopin).
I use my leftover Xanax for those now-infrequent nights where I can't get to sleep (maybe once every three or four months). It's usually pretty good for that.
Rick
Posted by Franz on October 14, 2002, at 20:23:08
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ? » Franz, posted by Rick on October 14, 2002, at 19:14:48
I have to give regular presentations too. The days before many times I find it hard to concentrate and prepare it due to worry thoughts. The day of the presentation, at the end, I feel very tired and I tend to wake up late (if I can) the next day. I usually find it difficult to fall asleep quickly so that contributes to feel more tired day after the presentation.
Sometimes I tried propranolol with relative results, maybe I should try again or the Klonopin because I can relate with your story somewhat, but I did not try Klonopin because I think it is more "sedating" than alprazolam.
Thanks
Posted by Rick on October 15, 2002, at 22:50:34
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ? » Rick, posted by Franz on October 14, 2002, at 20:23:08
>but I did not try Klonopin because I think it is more "sedating" than alprazolam.
That's interesting, because one reason I didn't like Xanax as much as Klonopin is that I found Xanax more sedating. I would feel kind of doped up and "dull" while presenting. Maybe it was a matter of dosage, or maybe it's just that our bodies respond differently.
Rick
Posted by Franz on October 15, 2002, at 23:45:41
In reply to Re: Klonopin -- How many times a day to take ? » Franz, posted by Rick on October 15, 2002, at 22:50:34
Sorry, but I did not try Klonopin, I "think" it is more sedating than alprazolam from what I read on boards like this one.
Yes dosage can be a reason, I have always used 0.25
> >but I did not try Klonopin because I think it is more "sedating" than alprazolam.
>
> That's interesting, because one reason I didn't like Xanax as much as Klonopin is that I found Xanax more sedating. I would feel kind of doped up and "dull" while presenting. Maybe it was a matter of dosage, or maybe it's just that our bodies respond differently.
>
> Rick
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