Posted by Kon on January 4, 2004, at 17:41:27
In reply to Re: Long Term Klonopin Usage » Siraris, posted by psychlover on January 4, 2004, at 13:04:10
> My neurologist said that Klonopin inhibits the formation of new memories (because it increases GABA, I believe), hence the short-term recall problems.
A review of this topic can be found at the following link:
http://www.benzo.org.uk/ashtox.htm
See "Impairment of Memory" section.
Despite these potential side-effects with some benzos in some subjects, other researchers argue that the balance of studies suggest klonopin (clonazepam) is still one of the most effective and safe medications for anxiety. The alternatives (SSRIs or some MAOIs like Nardil)have far more side-effects (including potential memory problems)and dependecy/withdrawl problems (SSRIs). So Prof. Ashton's recommendation of replacing benzos with SSRIs doesn't make sense since quite a bit of data exists suggesting that SSRIs have (on the average) a poorer side-effect profile than benzos and are arguably less effective for anxiety.
>Anyone who has said they have issues getting off, and state their symptoms, they are symptoms of having panic attacks again, not withdrawl symptoms.
It's very hard to tell. It's probably a combination of both. Withdrawl symptoms (including anxiety) have been shown to occur even in normal subjects (with no previous history of anxiety/depression)following discontinuation of benzos. This is pretty convincing evidence that anxiety can be due to withdrawl. The problem is that the same can be said with SSRIs and arguably to a greater degree. See WHO and UK data in "social audit".
poster:Kon
thread:295342
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/296440.html