Posted by Christ_empowered on January 27, 2011, at 23:03:42
In reply to Klonopin vs Xanax...What are your experiences?, posted by BetweenDreams81 on January 27, 2011, at 22:47:30
Klonopin and xanax are equally strong, but Klonopin lasts longer (2x daily dosing can keep you calm all day) and Klonopin was initially used for epilepsy; the anti-anxiety use came later.
In my experience, Klonopin is awesome if you're going to be on a benzo for a while (it takes a while to kick in, so its not the greatest as-needed tranquilizer ever) and you have problems with agitation. I've been prescribed Klonopin for social phobia and as part of a cocktail to get me through a severe manic episode. It has "mood-stabilizing" properties that xanax doesn't (xanax has mild antidepressant properties, so its good if you run on the depressive end of things).
Klonopin is known for causing drug-induced depression. I developed depression after 6 months on 2mgs/day; the depression lifted after I tapered. That said, Klonopin has saved me before. I used it after a manic episode, I've used it to help w/ side-effects from neuroleptics, and I've used it on days when I was just plain "feelin' crazy."
Have you tried Ativan (lorazepam) ? Its not as strong as xanax, but it lasts longer (not as long as Klonopin), and it kicks in quickly. Its commonly used in hospitals for sedating agitated people. If you're going to be taking a benzo daily for a while, Klonopin can be really convenient; if you're looking for a PRN med, I'd either stick w/ xanax or try switching to slightly higher dose Ativan.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:978116
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