Posted by Elizabeth on December 13, 2001, at 16:07:53
In reply to klonapin 0.5, posted by undead on December 13, 2001, at 5:34:18
Careful about spelling on this one -- there are drugs named *clonidine* and *clozapine* which are often mixed up with Klonopin. The generic name of Klonopin is "clonazepam" (pronounced "klohn (or "klahn") - AZ - uh - pam").
I don't know why crushing the tablets makes it work better. It might be absorbed faster, so that the peak effect is higher and therefore you notice it. Some formulations may contain binders that make their absorption slower or even less efficient. I'm pretty much positive that Cam would know about this.
0.5 mg is a low-end dose, but not unbelievably low -- like, many people find it to be adequate to take 0.5 mg two or three times daily (I think most people can take Klonopin twice a day, although I personally find that I need it three times a day). One thing about Klonopin (compared with other benzos like Valium or Xanax) is that its effects can be subtle -- if it's working, there should be an *absense* of anxiety, but not necessarily a noticed effect. The effect also tends to take a while -- don't expect immediate relief, it might take as much as an hour for your anxiety to improve. If you're taking it regularly, it also might take a while before it accumulates in your body to a point that will be effective for you. Ask your doctor what to expect.
You might need to go up to a higher dose, but I suggest keeping a "symptom diary" where you keep track of your anxiety symptoms each day and see whether they decrease with the Klonopin (perhaps only after having been on the Klonopin for a few days or even weeks). Like I said, it can be subtle.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:86777
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011213/msgs/86822.html