Klonopin (Clonazepam) is a medication prescribed to those who suffer from panic attacks, anxiety, and seizure disorders. It can help balance out chemicals in the brain to control these issues. The drug is given in increments ranging from .25Mg’s to 2Mg’s daily, or more depending on the person and their tolerance/needs of the medicine. As with other sedating medications, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
This medication can become habit forming, but is a long term prescribed treatment for anxiety than opposing similar drugs such as Xanax. The half life is much longer than Xanax and works on a regular basis use, instead of a quick fix, such as the aforementioned medicine.
Now, with that being said, Klonopin isn’t a treatment for everyone. Some people have adverse side effects on the medication such as headaches, dry mouth, increased anxiety, and weight loss/gain. Also, people with liver disease or woman who are pregnant should not take the medication as it can have adverse effects, at least inform your physician before beginning use. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine and shouldn’t be used by people who are allergic to such medicines. You can find out more about benzodiazepine’s, and especially Klonopin at Drugs.com. A very resourceful web site.
Klonopin has a street value, which is why it can only be prescribed by a psychiatrist. There is a rich history of addiction and abuse with benzodiazepine medication and should only be used as prescribed. One name for these types of drugs is “Pill form alcohol”. What this means, is that the medication is a depressed just like alcohol and can affect the same receptors in the brain as alcohol. People who take Klonopin are urged to not drink with the medication as it can increase the effects of the drinks, and is dangerous in large portions. Drinking while taking the medication can depress the central nervous system to such an extend that one’s brain can start shutting down. This can hurt major areas of the body, including cession of breathing.
Most people are put on a dose of one in the morning, and then another in the evening, or as needed. Taken respectfully, the drug CAN be used by those who drink (at least in moderation). Instead of taking the second dosage at night, if drinking is planned, let the alcohol do the work instead of the evening pill (Remember: Alcohol in pill form.)
There are restrictions based on the medication, as the bottle, or some physicians may tell you, the drug is not to be administered for longer than 9 weeks. However, this is simply a normality. Patients are often times put on the medication for long periods of time, sometimes most of their lives. It all depends on what one’s physician feels would be correct for them. Increases and decreases of the medication are administered after check ups until a balance is found.
Never stop taking Klonopin without a doctor’s advice. Even if you begin to feel better, stopping the medication can cause various issues, including withdrawal, as you can read about at Wikipedia. You will need to ween off of the medication with lower doses if it has been used in moderation for a long period of time. In which case, symptoms of anxiety/seizures may return without use.
Withdrawal of the medication include increased anxiety, tremors, night sweats, insomnia, upset stomach, and bizarre thinking patterns. Suicidal persons should know Klonopin is not worth it, and neither is suicide. These kinds of medication have a safety feature that will prevent you from ingesting too much with vomiting. Still, a poison control center should be contacted immediately if such a situation occurs.
Respect the medication and take as prescribed. As the doctor once said to me, “This medication WILL grow legs and walk off. It has street value, know how many pills you have and where the bottle is at all times.” Stay healthy, and stay safe!
