Posted by JohnX on March 13, 2001, at 2:59:27
In reply to Re: Klonopin Question--both Johns, posted by Snowie on March 12, 2001, at 21:31:28
> JohnX and JohnM, thanks for your responses. I have copied both of your responses below, and have included my own responses. Thanks again.
>
> Snowie
>
> Snowie,
>
> It certainly is a good question as to why Klonopin would aggravate your anxiety. Have you perhaps experienced psychological withdrawl symptoms from the Neurontin that may still be lingering? The med is not physically addictive.
>
> I don't think so. I take 300 mg. of Neurontin now before bedtime only, whereas a month or so ago I was taking 300 mg. x 3, but could barely function. Who cares if I'm stupid while I'm asleep. That seems to work pretty well, but my pdoc doesn't approve of my use of Neurontin in this manner.
>
> The consensus on this board is that Klonopin gives a statistically sound fast acting anti-anxiety effect. I've taken both Xanax and Klonopin and preferred Klonopin because of its longer action. If you have some Xanax left overs you could run a little experiment and switch back to the Xanax to see if the aggravation is still there. This may point to some other issue.
>
> I've taken both Klonopin and Xanax. At least for right now, Xanax lasts longer in my system. For instance, I took 1 mg. of Xanax around lunchtime today (I had a job interview and couldn't wait for Klonopin to kick in). It's 10:30 p.m. and I haven't had another benzo. When I took Klonopin years ago, that wasn't my experience, so I am confused.
>
> Also, do you feel that the Klonopin dose is adequate? If it is not, then the lack of anxiety relief may itself create more psychological anxiety due to the frustration. Just a thought.
>
> Probably not, but my pdoc doesn't want me to take more than 1.5 mg. of Klonopin. As a rule, he is not fond of benzos, but I guess he feels that Klonopin is the lesser of the two evils. I know the old saying YMMV. Is it possible that at least in my body Xanax lasts longer? Or could it be that the generic brands of Klonopin don't work as well in my system?
>
> Hope you can get relief soon.
>
> Thanks ... me too.
>
> Fortunately, I've been able to take Neurontin without it dumbing me down, but I have experienced this side-effect on other meds especially serzone.
>
> Yeah, I took Serzone for a month or so a while back, and was constantly dizzy, and it didn't help my anxiety at all. Actually I like Neurontin, but hate the brain fog effect. That's why I take it at night, which my pdoc (who is now my ex-pdoc) doesn't approve of. I recently took Neurontin as prescribed by my pdoc (morning and night) for a few days and had a minor car accident last week. Was it the Neurontin? I really don't know but I wouldn't be surprised.
>
> -John
>
> I would guess you might be experiencing withdrawal from either the Neurontin or the Xanax. Klonopin definitely stops panic/anxiety in its tracks. It is twice as potent as Xanax, so you only need half the milligrams to get the same effect. Klonopin has a sort of "depressing" effect on me which I don't like, but I like how long it lasts throughout the day. JohnM
>
> Yes, I got the depressing effect from Klonopin years ago, which is why I went off of it the first time. I decided to try it again at my pdoc's request. I don't understand how I could be withdrawing from Neurontin since it's not addicting and except for a brief period when I took Neurontin morning and night, I've only been taking it at bedtime (300 mg.). When I was taking Xanax, I was taking about 1.5-2 mg. per day, which according to the equivalency chart, is still less than 1.5 mg. of Klonopin. I don't remember which generic of Klonopin I took years ago, but could it possibly be that my body doesn't respond well to generic clonazepam?
>
> SnowieSnowie,
Here are my thoughts (JohnX):
- Maybe taking the Neurontin only at night IS an issue? Neurontin has a short half life (it doesn't last long in the body). I don't know about you, but I found that it works ~8 hrs for me, so if I don't dose it 3x a day I get start-up/stop side effects. Maybe irritability is one of yours?
- Can't comment on the generic question. As far as I know the generics should be chemically identical, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
- As far as the metabolism of Xanax vs. Klonopin. For most people Xanax kicks in quicker but lasts about 1/2 - 1/3 the time of Klonopin. That was my experience (Xanax = 4 hrs. Klonopin = 12 hrs).
Medications use different liver enzymes to break them down and remove them from the body. Some people are unusually rapid metabolizers with certain enzymes and some people are unusually slow metabolizers. Its possible you fall out of the statistical norm. Also when combining meds, sometimes if they induce or inhibit shared liver enzymes this can change the property of the meds. Neurontin from what I recall doesn't really use the liver as an integral part of its excretion (mainly straight through the kidney), so I wouldn't guess off hand that there is a drug interaction in your case unless you are on any other meds (check with your physician).
- Klonopin made me drowsy. Xanax did not. Klonopin has a good anti-manic effect since it is also an anti-convulsant. This could contribute to its potential to feel more "depressing".-JohnX
poster:JohnX
thread:56193
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56352.html