Posted by Tony P on August 2, 2017, at 4:08:57
In reply to California Rocket Fuel and Clonazepam, posted by LilithLeigh on October 3, 2016, at 21:25:00
I have now been back & forth between clonazepam and diazepam three times. mostly in an effort to get off the benzos altogether. Just a few observations, remember these are mostly based on my personal experience, YMMV.
1) There is some confusion about the equivalent strength of clonazepam. Most sources give 1 mg clonazepam = 10 mg diazepam. However, Dr. Heather Ashton (www.benzo.org.uk), who is very experienced in withdrawal, uses 0.5 mg clonazepam = 10 mg diazepam. My own experience suggest a figure in between.
2) It's certainly possible in principle that there's an interaction between your other meds and clonazepam. The liver enzymes that remove clon. from your system can be affected both positively and negatively by other drugs. Consult a knowledgeable pharmacist, or do some research online if you feel up to the technicalities,
3) .5 mg clonazepam 2x a day is not a high dose in my book (nor in the opinion of the senior Dr. at my clinic). However, age, other meds, general health can affect this.
4) Clonazepam in my experience causes more drowsiness, memory loss and cognitive impairment than other benzodiazepines. Diazepam is better this way and has an even longer half-life.
5) All the benzodiazepines have a depressant effect and could therefore trigger depression. This mostly applies to higher doses,but I have been warned of this by my GP.
6) For a long-lasting alternative, I would recommend diazepam. It is preferred by my GP and Dr. Ashton (see above). It has an even longer half-life than clonazepam, although there is a little "shoulder" in the effects at about 6 hours, so I prefer small doses 4x a day.
7) Effexor works well for many people, but for me it causes great anxiety, needing benzodiazepines to combat this side effect. Ask your Dr. about taking Cymbalta instead, which for me is more effective without the anxiety.
Good Luck!
Escitalopram
Bupropion
Clonazepam
Trazodone prn
Propranolol prn
poster:Tony P
thread:1092513
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20161215/msgs/1094311.html