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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2011, at 5:58:24
I am thinking of asking about a switch from alprazolam 1mg 3 x daily to clonazepam 1mg 2 or 3 x daily.
Axanx works to releive my anxiety/panic, but I thik the short halflife leads to rebound symptoms if i dont take 3 a day every day...... thinking that the longer acting clonazepam might help me get more control over my use of the stuff.
The difficult part is that clonazepam is only licensed for epilepsy in Australia, and not for anxiety or panic disorder.... some docs happily prescribe it off label, others dont..... guess we'll see what catagory mine falls into
Posted by SLS on September 27, 2011, at 7:04:10
In reply to Clonazepam vs Alprazolam, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2011, at 5:58:24
> I am thinking of asking about a switch from alprazolam 1mg 3 x daily to clonazepam 1mg 2 or 3 x daily.
>
> Axanx works to releive my anxiety/panic, but I thik the short halflife leads to rebound symptoms if i dont take 3 a day every day...... thinking that the longer acting clonazepam might help me get more control over my use of the stuff.
>
> The difficult part is that clonazepam is only licensed for epilepsy in Australia, and not for anxiety or panic disorder.... some docs happily prescribe it off label, others dont..... guess we'll see what catagory mine falls intoJust be aware that clonazepam can be depressogenic. What about using an extended-release alprazolam? It might have some mild antidepressant effects along with its anxiolytic properties.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2011, at 10:30:36
In reply to Re: Clonazepam vs Alprazolam » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on September 27, 2011, at 7:04:10
It led to depression in me many years ago. But didn't know an extended version of ativan was availble. Is it new? Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 27, 2011, at 12:12:35
In reply to Re: Clonazepam vs Alprazolam » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on September 27, 2011, at 7:04:10
I agree with SLS; Xanax XR might be a good call. You might want to ask for a very small xanax rx along with it, to take at bedtime, since some people go into mini-withdrawals while sleeping and wake up with anxiety.
Klonopin is OK. Since I have Bipolar I and I'm prone to agitation, that's what I have been prescribed. Klonopin can cause or exacerbate depression, especially after several months time. I've read that most benzos can do this, but its especially common with Klonopin.
Do they still Rx valium where you are? 2-3mgs xanax would be what--40-60 Valium? Here in the US, you probably wouldn't be able to get a doc to Rx that much Valium (valium, for some reason, has a bad reputation), but where you are a doc might be more willing to go for it. Given the long half-life, you could probably take a larger evening/bedtime dose and then spread the rest out over 2 daily doses. Also, tapering off valium is supposed to be easier than tapering off a high-potency BZD, especially xanax.
And then there's Ativan. Ativan is weaker than xanax, but its another benzo used a good bit for severe psychiatric disturbances. Fast acting, too. I think you'd need slightly more, but each dose lasts a bit longer than xanax and I don't think it causes depression as often as Klonopin does. Not as sedating as valium, due to its higher potency.
Posted by sigismund on September 27, 2011, at 12:12:36
In reply to Re: Clonazepam vs Alprazolam » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on September 27, 2011, at 7:04:10
>What about using an extended-release alprazolam?
That is not available here. It would be my choice too. My experience with Xanax is similar to Jono's. I like it more, but the rebound makes it unstable.
Posted by zonked on September 27, 2011, at 13:38:04
In reply to Clonazepam vs Alprazolam, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2011, at 5:58:24
Jono,
It's worth a try. Lots of people do well on Klonopin - I personally find it depressing and a bit sedating, which happens to some but not all people.
If it doesn't work or you can't tolerate it, you can always go back to Xanax. Do you have Xanax XR in Australia?
> I am thinking of asking about a switch from alprazolam 1mg 3 x daily to clonazepam 1mg 2 or 3 x daily.
>
> Axanx works to releive my anxiety/panic, but I thik the short halflife leads to rebound symptoms if i dont take 3 a day every day...... thinking that the longer acting clonazepam might help me get more control over my use of the stuff.
>
> The difficult part is that clonazepam is only licensed for epilepsy in Australia, and not for anxiety or panic disorder.... some docs happily prescribe it off label, others dont..... guess we'll see what catagory mine falls into
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2011, at 19:46:34
In reply to Re: Clonazepam vs Alprazolam » jono_in_adelaide, posted by zonked on September 27, 2011, at 13:38:04
Thanks for the responses guys. Zonked, sadly, Xanax XR hasnt been marketed in Australia as yet, so if you want long acting, you need to go diazepam or clonazepam type drugs. Not sure why they havent marketed it, because Xanax is a commonly prescribed drug here, as in the US, and I think it would be popular in XR form
Posted by floatingbridge on September 27, 2011, at 23:19:50
In reply to Re: Clonazepam vs Alprazolam, posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 27, 2011, at 19:46:34
> Thanks for the responses guys. Zonked, sadly, Xanax XR hasnt been marketed in Australia as yet, so if you want long acting, you need to go diazepam or clonazepam type drugs. Not sure why they havent marketed it, because Xanax is a commonly prescribed drug here, as in the US, and I think it would be popular in XR form
I remember that. It's too bad because the XR is nice. I don't know what your choices are.
Ativan was brought up.
I found I needed less klonopin than Xanax overall. That's just me. And I did find it a bit of a depressant. But maybe at a slightly lower dosage...? I found the benzo conversion chart in my case re: Xanax to klonopin was different regarding it's effects. Maybe for tapering it would more accurate.
This is the end of the thread.
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