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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jim Bob on September 5, 2002, at 12:34:07
Hey everybody,
I have a few questions concerning Klonopin. I was just prescribed 0.5 mg, 3 times a day PRN. First, do you know of any interaction between cigarettes and klonopin? I was told by someone that smoking might interfere with the action of klonopin.
Second, I tend to drink a glass of wine with dinner. If I'm on a dose of klonopin, how dangerous is it to drink 1 or 2 glasses of wine while on 0.5 mg of klonopin?
Finally, for those of you out there on klonopin or any other benzo for that matter PRN, how do you budget your medicine to avoid going over your daily allowment? It's very difficult for me, with a bottle of 90 klonopin, to avoid taking an extra one during the day when a dose has worn off. Any suggestions, personal experiences, or handy tips for budgeting PRN meds?
Thanks,
Jim Bob
Posted by Ritch on September 5, 2002, at 13:21:49
In reply to Klonopin Questions and PRN's in General, posted by Jim Bob on September 5, 2002, at 12:34:07
> Hey everybody,
>
> I have a few questions concerning Klonopin. I was just prescribed 0.5 mg, 3 times a day PRN. First, do you know of any interaction between cigarettes and klonopin? I was told by someone that smoking might interfere with the action of klonopin.
Hi Jim,I have heard that cigarettes (nicotine) can cause some medications to be eliminated more quickly. I know for sure that cigarette smoking will cause caffeine to be eliminated about twice as quickly. So, if you don't smoke you have to be extra careful *not* to drink coffee too close to bedtime. I don't know if Klonopin would have the same interaction with smokes or not, though. But, I think the "interaction" would be a simple one of quicker elimination or reduced elimination rate of the med involved, not anything really dangerous (given Klonopin is fairly safe in overdose). It is possible that if you quit smoking the Klonopin might build up a little more in your body and you wouldn't need to dose as much.
>
> Second, I tend to drink a glass of wine with dinner. If I'm on a dose of klonopin, how dangerous is it to drink 1 or 2 glasses of wine while on 0.5 mg of klonopin?
I don't think that would be really "dangerous" as long as you aren't driving or running a buzz saw or something. Of course, booze can aggravate anxiety and depression, so it could be thwarting the medication.
>
> Finally, for those of you out there on klonopin or any other benzo for that matter PRN, how do you budget your medicine to avoid going over your daily allowment? It's very difficult for me, with a bottle of 90 klonopin, to avoid taking an extra one during the day when a dose has worn off. Any suggestions, personal experiences, or handy tips for budgeting PRN meds?
>
> Thanks,
> Jim Bob
I found that with Klonopin or any benzos for that matter that a lower dose taken *every* day as a regimen with the option to increase it above that baseline on a PRN basis works the best. I know take just .25mg of Klonopin at bedtime, and I take .25mg once or twice during the day as needed on top of that. But, that doesn't happen very often-probably because I take .25mg every night regardless-so there is always some medication in my system, which makes it less likely I feel a need to take it during the day.hope this helps,
Mitch
Posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 14:33:35
In reply to Klonopin Questions and PRN's in General, posted by Jim Bob on September 5, 2002, at 12:34:07
Jim:
I think Mitch pretty much covered the Klonopin thing quite accurately. For the record, I have been on Klonopin since 1987 (panic) and I do smoke and have attended a few bashes...but while I haven't found drinking to be harmful I would'nt advocate such activity to you. When I was first on it I was terrified and watched for the slightest reactions and sensations. But all in all...its a safe drug that has worked wonders for me. Any concerns you have you should address them to your pdoc, specifically that concerning ethol. You'll have peace of mind when and if he tells you that its okay to have a glass of wine with your meal.
Goodluck and stay safe,
david
Posted by Guy on September 5, 2002, at 21:23:12
In reply to Re: Klonopin Questions and PRN's in General » Jim Bob, posted by david1717 on September 5, 2002, at 14:33:35
David, would you mind telling me what your dose has been? Has the clonazepam lost any effectiveness over the 5 years? I've just started the drug and I'm worried about tolerance. My shrink said to get up to 2 mg per day. Thanks for your help.
Posted by Squiggles on September 5, 2002, at 23:00:51
In reply to Klonopin Questions and PRN's in General, posted by Jim Bob on September 5, 2002, at 12:34:07
Hi,
I drink the occasional glass of wine or
half a glass of beer with meals; if i do
it every day, i get a compounded hangover
with Klonopin, so i am moderate.As for cost - being in Canada, i am in
a fortunate position and we have coverage;
in your case, you might contact the manufacturer;
i have *heard* on the net that people in need
are obliged by the drug company.take care
Squiggles
Posted by bark23 on September 6, 2002, at 17:27:54
In reply to Klonopin Questions and PRN's in General, posted by Jim Bob on September 5, 2002, at 12:34:07
Smoking does interfere with the metabolism of some benzos, but Im almost positive klonopin is not one of them. And for what its worth I have not noticed much difference when drinking moderately on a normal dose of klonopin, although when Ive drank a lot I have misjudged how impaired I was a few times. Im on 4mg a day.
> I have a few questions concerning Klonopin. I was just prescribed 0.5 mg, 3 times a day PRN. First, do you know of any interaction between cigarettes and klonopin? I was told by someone that smoking might interfere with the action of klonopin.
>
> Second, I tend to drink a glass of wine with dinner. If I'm on a dose of klonopin, how dangerous is it to drink 1 or 2 glasses of wine while on 0.5 mg of klonopin?
Posted by David1717 on September 8, 2002, at 0:21:17
In reply to To David, posted by Guy on September 5, 2002, at 21:23:12
Hi Guy:
I went to the Massachusetts General Hospital dept of psychpharmacology in 1986 for Panic. The panic was so bad that I was on 10mg per day prn. Now, some 16 years later I am on 1mg or 0.5 bid. No, I have not noticed any loss of its effectiveness. Rather, I actually need less. Interestingly, I took one 0.5 at 6 this morning and I haven't dosed since. It's 1:20 a.m. so I'll wait until tomorrow before taking the med again. Just to add, I have never had a problem with klonopin and I have never had any side effects.
Hope this helps and goodluck my friend.
David
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