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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BRC on September 23, 2004, at 10:55:08
Hi, I have been taking Klonopin for several years to treat anxiety. It works pretty good at controling my physical symptoms. I take 4mg in two divided doses. I was wondering what the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiety because I think it is losing its effectiveness or my body is building up a tolerance, but I am scared to raise it any higher. I also take a SSRI (at its max. dose for OCD and depression).
Any comments or input would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
Posted by Glydin on September 23, 2004, at 15:23:56
In reply to What is the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiet, posted by BRC on September 23, 2004, at 10:55:08
I have heard of folks on around 6 mgs per day. Dosing for seizure control is quite high at up to 20mgs per day - which, to me, sounds like a big whopper of a dose! I think someone here has posted about taking in the teens for dosing.
The tolerance thing is a bit tricky. Some folks tweak their dose after a few years and maintain for a fairly long period of time. Others, once a tolerance thing begins, don't seem to be able to level off. Weaning from a high dose can be problematic, too. I don't think any dose change should be done without speaking with your doc.
I suggest talking with your doc. Upping the dose to see how it goes can be an option as can switching to another benzo or another class of meds.
This is one of those situations it would be hard to predict. Good Luck to you.
Posted by BRC on September 23, 2004, at 17:33:08
In reply to Re: What is the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiet » BRC, posted by Glydin on September 23, 2004, at 15:23:56
Thanks for your response and all of the info. The reason I did make this post is I wanted to discuss this with my doctor. Medications of this nature kind of "scares" me because of the dependence and withdrawal. Most pdocs do not even want to consider benzos but to me they provide the most relief for my symptoms.
Thanks again,
BRC
Posted by Glydin on September 23, 2004, at 18:58:49
In reply to Re: What is the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiet » Glydin, posted by BRC on September 23, 2004, at 17:33:08
> Thanks for your response and all of the info. The reason I did make this post is I wanted to discuss this with my doctor.
~~~I figured that was the case, but it's something I generally always put in.
>Medications of this nature kind of "scares" me because of the dependence and withdrawal. Most pdocs do not even want to consider benzos but to me they provide the most relief for my symptoms.~~~I think that's the case for alot of us who use benzo's (the scary part) and a healthy dose of respect is certainly always a good thing. I find the same, Klonopin has been wonderful for me and so far, I have avoided pitfalls. A good supportive doc is a must and it sounds like you have one.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> BRC~~~You're very welcome. Again, I hope you can work out something that's good for you.
Posted by Jasmineneroli on September 23, 2004, at 19:09:37
In reply to What is the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiet, posted by BRC on September 23, 2004, at 10:55:08
BRC
Which SSRI do you take, and how much and for how long? Sometimes SSRI's can worsen or affect anxiety, or the SSRI itself "poop-out" after a while, leaving you with no anxiolytic effect except from the Klon.
I've been on Klonopin for 14 months for anxiety without need to increase the dose. It still works just great for me on most anxiety symptoms. So I'm wondering if there are other factors for you...besides the SSRI. Are you under extra stress right now. Has your lifestyle/routine changed? (Even something as mundane as eating patterns etc.).
I've known ppl take up to 10mg per day, but only very rarely. I, personally wouldn't want to go up to 6mg or beyond. Try a change in SSRI first, then a change in benzo.....ask your doc.
Best regards,
Jas
Posted by BRC on September 24, 2004, at 10:40:54
In reply to Re: What is the max. dose for Klonopin to treat anxiet, posted by Jasmineneroli on September 23, 2004, at 19:09:37
Hi, the SSRI I take is Lexapro. I have OCD, GAD, and depression. So, I started off on 20mg then after about 6-8 months I was upped to 40mg (because it usually takes higher doses of an SSRI to treat OCD), then I was upped to 60mg of Lexapro which I thought was impossibel, but my doc. said it was o.k. So, I have been on Lexapro for almost two years now. I also take Remeron at night.
Thanks for your response,
BRC
This is the end of the thread.
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