Posted by Daveman on April 7, 2001, at 17:34:17
In reply to I wish Klonopin was offered in a .25 dose tablet, posted by JohnM on April 6, 2001, at 20:14:15
John:
I asked my doc about this when he changed me from Xanax to Klonopin. He told me that Klonopin was not originally marketed as an antianxiety med, but rather as an anticonvulsant. The effective doses for that purpose are much higher- in fact, the manufacturer indicates that up to 20 mgs. per day can be taken for this purpose! Compare that to the 10 mg. per day max for Xanax. Since Klonopin is now generic, I seriously doubt a new doseage would be marketed, especially since the only anxiety-related illness for which Klonopin gained FDA approval is panic disorder.
Incidentally, I went to the Roche website and read the testing information by which Klonopin gained FDA approval for panic disorder. In these tests, it was determined that 1 mg. per day is the optimal dose. Higher doses only marginally increased Klonopin's anti-panic response but greatly increased the side effects, especially somnolence. Obviously, Klonopin has been given for other purposes and in greater amounts over the years, but the initial testing data is interesting nonetheless.
Dave
> I am developing a love/hate relationship with Klonopin. I love the long-acting effect and it does keep breakthough anxiety at bay, but I don't like the loss in cognitive ability and the somewhat flattening of my emotions. I have been taking smaller and smaller doses to offset this effect. Believe it or not, I'm down to an EIGHTH of a .5 tablet 3 times a day and still am displeased with the side effects! But I am still getting adequate anti-anxiety effects. I'm getting ready to go to SIXTEENTHS, but it will be quite difficult to break the tablet that small.
>
> It seems to me that the manufacturer of Klonopin might consider a smaller dose tablet, seeing that Xanax is offered in .25 mg and Xanax is half as potent as Klonopin! That makes me think that it would be sensible to offer Klonopin even in a .125 dose tablet!
>
> Dr. Bob (or anyone!), do you have any insights/comments here??
poster:Daveman
thread:58982
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010403/msgs/59050.html