[Taipans]

How many people here on this medication have used "more" then there bottle dosage? I have a friend who is also on Clonzepam and he is suppose to be taking 2mg daily. (1mg twice a day) Just like myself, but instead hoards it until we go out to a crowded place and takes around 5-6mg at one time (sometimes chewing them up) although I'm debating if that really does anything for him. I keep telling him how stupid it is, I dont really think the drug is very dangerous until you get up towards the 10mg+ range, even then I cant find anyone who has Over dosed on it. But obviously this is a problem and I wish he would knock it off. Do any of you tend to take extra pills (even if its only 1 or 2) when hitting a social situation?

Thanks for the input,

Mark

[anxietychick59]

Yes, at times in the past when I didn't want to appear too excited around certain people. I use it mostly now to help sleep.

[Yack]

No, I never did that.

Increasing the dose too much though could cause problems with withdrawal (anxiety plus the physical symptoms like nausea, tremor, dizziness, sweating etc..) when the person tries to resume their usual dose.

[Parker10]

Nope - never. I agree with Yack 100%, after taking that large amount to deal with a social outing, the rebound anxiety, as well as the withdrawal going back to prescribed amount could at the very least make your friend feel bad ! I sure hope these outtings do not include alcohol !!!!

Added to my 2 cents.....Klonopin is not a medication meant to help anyone "quickly". I sincerely doubt your friend gets much, if any, help with his anxiety by taking a bunch WHILE out. But I bet he sleeps like a baby when he goes home ! Although people who take a small doseage only at bedtime can get great results in it helping them sleep, Klonopin is a med that needs to build up in the system to work effectively. It does have a long half life, therefore like you and I (Taipans), taking it morning and night keeps us at a level amount and prevents the panic and or anxiety.

Good luck with your friend - I hope he listens to you.

[okiedokie]

I must respectfully disagree. Klonopin, like all the other benzodiazapenes has a high risk of dependence associated with it. In that regard I think it is a dangerous drug. People are prescribed it way too often without the proper knowledge that the drug, over time, creates a physical dependence. Although I never misused it, I was addicted to it for 25 years! The efficacy is also reduced over time, the longer one continues to take it. There is also the risk of psychological dependence. For example,one opts to take the anti-anxiety pill over working through the issues that are causing the anxiety in the first place.

I must say, the physical withdrawal from benzodiazapenes is excruciating. I had to be inpatient.

May I recommend some reading? Benzo Blues; Overcoming Anxiety Without Tranquilizers, by Edward H. Drummond, MD, Benzodiazepine Dependence, Toxicity and Abuse published by the APA, and Addiction by Prescription.
Take care,
Okie

my god. i hope he weighs 400 lbs. i take .05mg three times a day and frequently don't even take that. i'd be out like a light if i took a dose that big.

[PlanningtoLive]

I have ODed on it.........it is not a drug that should be treated lightly. Even now I'll take 4 or 5, instead of the one that I am supposed to take and it usually really messes me up. I'm finally learning to cope with things instead of popping that med.

Tell your friend to be careful, please.

[Boopers]

I have never taken it but it is a drug and with any drug, we must be careful. I am so glad that you don't do this. Good for you. I hope your friend will listen to you and knock it off as I am sure it is dangerous doing this.
Good luck,
Linda

[Annieluv]

0.5 mg is usually enough to knock me out within an hour if I can't sleep and even then I'm so sedated the next day, I get very frustrated.

Don't dare to mess with that med and it's only to help me to sleep when needed and even then, I'm hesitant to resort to using that...

Anyone knows the consequences of clonazepam being mixed with alcohol?

I take two Klonopins at night to help me sleep (with Trazadone). I'd never increase my dose cuz all it does is knock me out! I like being awake during the daytime!

I was on 1 mg of Xanax for 17 years to help me sleep (anxiety at night keeps me up--anxiety during the day I just ride through it as best I can cuz I don't want to be drowsy). I ended up being manic for quite a while so the doc took me off Xanax because it is shorter acting than the Klonopin so that I would sleep more than 3-4 hours. I've heard both of these are addicting, but they just put me to sleep.

The only concern I have about them as well as my other drugs (I get a 3-month supply at once through my ins. co.) is if I get depressed & then the possibility of overdose is high.--Suzy

[Direction]

I take 1 mg morning, noon, and before dinner. I can stay off anxiety attacks by taking 3-4 additional mg.

I've discussed with my doctor - he doesn't seem to comment good or bad regarding this practice.

I would agree it is something to be cautious about - I way 235 pounds.

[ster]

My Pdoc has me on this I only take it if a problem devopled . I am also takeing paxil cr, welbrutin xl, seiquel, this combination works for me. I feel i'm on so much I try not to take them if I do not need to

[Squibbitt]

I take .5 mg twice a day of Klonopin and have never o.d'd but I do notice that if I miss one dose I flip out and start yelling at the children or my husband. I have chronic pain and the med not only helps me with my anxiety but it also relaxes my muscles which helps relieve my pain. Without this med my pain is unbearable and that is why I flip out like that. I've even trained my family to say, "Mom, did you take your medication today?" when I start yelling. Normally I do not yell at all. Even before I was in pain I was not a "yeller."
Does anyone else have this problem? Does it seem like I should be on a higher dose? I am on other meds for pain but am allergic to most pain meds and am limited.
Thanks, Rebecca