Klonopin and personality change?

Here's one that has me a bit stumped.

My husband is normally a very reserved/shy guy in large groups or with people we don't know well. He is very talkative when we're at home alone, but especially when I have introduced him to friends of mine, their comments have been "does he ever talk?". In fact, our first date consisted of me asking questions and him giving one-word answers, interrogation-style (how we ever made it to a second date is beyond me, but he definitely loosened up over time).

He has been treated for depression and ADD for a few years now with Lexapro and Strattera. Recently, we have changed some of his mental health providers and he was prescribed Klonapin for anxiety. I don't ask him when he takes it - I consider that to be largely his business.

Shortly after he was prescribed the Klonopin, we went to a couple of holiday parties and dinners, and for the first time ever, I was shocked at how nonstop he was talking. I mean, there were some times when he wouldn't give anyone else a chance to speak - just spouted opinion after opinion, regardless of whether he was possibly offending the other people (some of them were my clients). He wasn't obnoxious, exactly, but it was really out of character for him. He's also been talking much more at home, but maybe it just seems that way to me because I recently changed clients and I have a lot going on inside my own head right now.

I don't want to discourage him from being so talkative - it's actually nice in a way. His self-esteem seems to have skyrocketed. But why I'm posting this is because this weekend, he told me that at the parties described above, those were the first times that he had tried the Klonopin. I hadn't made the association between the personality change and the med prior to now.

Is this common? And is this his 'real' personality that was previously masked by anxiety, or could Klonopin make his personality change?

Ok, I know that since none of you know him it would be hard to say what's 'real' or not, but has anyone experienced anything like this?

He told me that he was surprised about my observation because he hadn't noticed a significant change in himself, but with most of his meds, I notice a change before he does.

Thanks

I've been taking Klonopin for about two years - usually social settings create extreme anxiety. The Klonopin probably releived some of that...

It's possible if you feel it was a bit much that the dosage may be a little high. I would have him talk to his doctor.

Thanks Direction. That's a good idea. Although as I said, it wasn't a bad thing -- just startlingly out of character for him. I guess it's more important that he feels better. If it becomes a problem, then perhaps I'll ask him how he feels about talking to his doctor for a dosage adjustment.

i'm sorry LMo.....but i giggled. knowing how reserved he is, i can just see the look on your face when he started "rattling" on at the parties.......i think it's great that you're handling it as you are and i'm sending good "talking" vibes to the both of you....ethelmom

Was he drinking at the parties? Klonopin and alcohol were a bad, bad combo for me in terms of "loosening up." (I'm not a big talker, either, usually.)

ahhhh.... actually, now that you mention it, yes he was. That's an interesting thought - it hadn't occurred to me. Wow.

Candy - I'm glad you brought that up. I'll pay attention to it over the next few weeks.

lol - thanks Ethelmom! And you're right - the look must have been there on my face.

Yep - mixing some alcohol into it is not recommended. It definately intensifies both Klonopin and the alcohol.

My sister has been taking klonopin for years and once a somewhat quiet, private person she talks way too much. I don't think she's aware of how she monopolizes the conversation, talking over others, and going on and on about an issue of her own concern. She's not as interested in others, very self absorbed.....and this was not my sister of the past. She drinks and when she gets on the phone at night she will talk at least an hour...if I disagree with her about anything she bites my head off. So many disagreements, little things that she got way out of proportion. Is anyone seeing this with a loved one?