Question for Klonopin

I got it prescribed wed. after 8 and a half hours in the Emergency room after almost fainting from a panic attack I've been having panic attacks for over a week now.....It's 0.5Mg and I have to break it in half (.25)...again , It's for my Panic attacks...I used to take Alprazolam 0.25Mg , but I didnt react very well to it...I got tired for 2 hours then I got rebound increased anxiety...but anyway, What happens when you take klonopin? what do you feel like?, and how long does it last in your body? and what are the side effects? I'm afraid something bad will happen after I take it, like an allergic reaction or something else...I never took it yet...I have like a...bad bad phobia of taking pills/meds...Thanks!

Klonopin belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines. It is indicated for the treatment of seizure disorders and anxiety/panic disorders. It treats these conditions with its ability to enhance the activity of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), the
major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

Side effects may include but are not limited to:
dizziness
drowsiness
tiredness
weakness
dry mouth
diarrhea
upset stomach
changes in appetite

Klonopin Information

Welcome to PC!

I've taken klonopin for about 2 1/2 years - at a higher dosage. It tends to be pretty stable with out sharp starts and stops. I have my dosage spread morning, noon, and dinner.

The side effects for me were minor and went away.

I've also taken Klonopin for a long time (9 years) and find it works well for panic/anxiety and also sleep. Klonopin has a longer half-life than most or all of the other benzos, so you don't get the rollercoaster effect you mentioned with Alprazolam. It also seems to cause less habituation than some other meds... i.e., I just went up from 1 mg to 2 mg/day after 9 years, which is still only a moderate dose.

Alprazolam and Klonopin are in the same class of meds. If you didn't have significant side-effects with one, you should do okay on the other.

I've been on Klonopin for a few years now. I started off on 0.5 mg/day. For the past few months I've only been taking one as needed -- sometimes only one per week.

The minor side effect I always experience is grogginess. I do wonder if long-term use can contribute to depression, though (I read that somewhere). So, I'm glad I'm taking the drug less often these days. It was extremely helpful for me, though. I think I would still be housebound with agoraphobia if I hadn't tried Klonopin.

On a positive note, I didn't find it addictive (and that was my biggest fear about taking it). I have never been tempted to increase my dose or felt like I needed more to get the same effect.

Just started on klonopin about 8 mos. ago due to not sleeping (also take Trazodone & other stuff for bipolar). I was on Xanax for about 17 yrs. with no ill effects. Klonopin just seems to make me tired & easier for me to get to sleep without the anxiety.--Suzy

I have a bad phobia of taking meds too.

One thing that's helped me is to immediately take the new drug right after I pick it up. I know the longer I wait, the harder it is to take. Then, I go do some shopping to distract me, or go read books at a cool bookstore(you know, like one with couchs and chairs-can take a nap if needed!). I feel safer, knowing if something bad happens, someone will call 911 cause I'll be freaking out anyways !!

If it's a new *bedtime* med, I still haven't got that one figured out yet!

I've taken klonopin for about seven years, daily, with not one problem. I take 3mg, which is 12x what you have to try. I have never had a bad side effect. Klonopin will make you feel a little sleepy at first, but no sudden marked drowsiness. Just kind of a calm feeling after a while, hardly notice it-seriously.

I have been on klonopin for 4 years, they gave it to me for
restless leg syndrome. I started with 1 mg to take only at
night. But then it wasn't keeping me asleep all night , so
the doctor increased it to 11/2 mg at nightime. It is considered a narcotic.

Sassy did you mean to say "It is not considered a narcotic"

No, I checked with my doctor and pharmacist and this is
definitely considered a narcotic, which can only be prescribed for six refills at a time. Sorry it took a while to
answer.

Klonopin is not a narcotic, it is a non-narcotic schedule IV controlled substance.

That is what I though tokidoki...