I've been diagnosed with panic disorder and GAD. My new pdoc said to take a certain dosage of klonopin "by the clock": 1/2 in morning, 1/2 in early afternoon and up to 2-1/2 at bedtime. I've been sticking to that regimen and am just curious to know if others' pdocs have advised taking anti-anxiety meds on a regular basis, or just as needed.

Thanks for any input!

[adawg123]

Originally Posted by newgal2

I've been diagnosed with panic disorder and GAD. My new pdoc said to take a certain dosage of klonopin "by the clock": 1/2 in morning, 1/2 in early afternoon and up to 2-1/2 at bedtime. I've been sticking to that regimen and am just curious to know if others' pdocs have advised taking anti-anxiety meds on a regular basis, or just as needed.

Thanks for any input!

my doc has me on .5 xanax in morning, .5 in afternoon then 1mg at night.

[gayleggg]

Yes, my doctor has my klonopin scheduled out the same as yours, just a different dosage. Klonopin doesn't work fast acting for using as needed so you have to take it a regular intervals.
gayle

[BlessedRhiannon]

At first, my p-doc had me take xanax at regularly scheduled intervals. This was because my anxiety was so high, and I was so used to it that I needed the meds in my system on a continual basis to bring my anxiety down to a manageable level. For me, as needed was pretty much constantly at that point.

I tried to switch to as needed (with p-doc's approval) and found that I have no idea what "as needed" really is, because I'm so used to such a high level of anxiety. So, after a few months of trying that, I went back to regularly scheduled, which just seems to be more effective for me.

I'm taking a very low dose of xanax 3 times per day, and I do have some flexibility with that now. I can take an extra half or whole pill at any time during the day as needed, as long as I don't exceed 4 pills per day (or talk to p-doc before exceeding that limit if I feel I need to). I've found that for me, the critical doses are the before bed and first thing in the morning ones. I tend to be more flexible with my mid-day dose....sometimes I'll split it in half and do half at noon, half at 6 pm, sometimes I'll do a whole dose at 2 pm, sometimes earlier, sometimes later...just depends on what's going on that day.

[adawg123]

I've found that for me, the critical doses are the before bed and first thing in the morning ones. I tend to be more flexible with my mid-day dose....sometimes I'll split it in half and do half at noon, half at 6 pm, sometimes I'll do a whole dose at 2 pm, sometimes earlier, sometimes later...just depends on what's going on that day.[/quote]

ive also found that teh morning and bed time are the most important doses for me too. It helps me get going in the morning because my anxiety seems to start almost right after i wake up. and the bed time dose helps me get a good nites sleep

I have permission from my doc... he's a GP/internist FWIW, to take my clonazepam in whatever manner I feel is best. Usually 3/4 of a .5mg in the morning and I'm good for the day. Different strokes...

[thunderbear]

My pdoc has me on a half .5 clonazepam in the AM then the other half at bedtime. He gives me enogh to take a full dose at bedtime if needed. Its the best benzo cause it dont zombie me out but it controls *most* of my anxiety

[-jimi-]

No, I take it as needed but I take Xanax which is much shorter acting than Klonopin. Klonopin is the benzo that is used as a "clock" med the most because of the long half life.