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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 Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 17:26:46
Just read Psycho-Babble on how different benzos compare in strength and was shocked to see that .25Klonopin is equivalent to 5mg of Valium and .5 mg of Xanax. Was shocked because I thought Klonopin was weaker than the others and that was why you could take up to something like 20mgs with seizures. I am taking l.5mg total at night of Klonopin and now wonder if that is why I feel so "spacey", etc. I used to take 5mgs of valium and it made me feel great. Is this information correct, not that I don't belive Psycho-Babble, but I'm in shock to think I'm taking such a high doseage. Is this a lot in your opinion or should I cut back, and try to get on the Valium? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by anxiety_free on December 27, 2004, at 17:41:21
In reply to Compare Benzos in Strength Need Help!, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 17:26:46
You really have to pay attention to your own responses when it comes to benzos. 1.5mgs is a pretty standard dose of klonopin; I myself used to take 4mgs daily, which is the high end of normal. Klonopin may or may not be the reason you feel spacey. If it is, the problem will probably disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. If 5mgs of valium is enough to make you feel OK, you may want to talk to your health care provider and see about a switch.
Posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 18:45:56
In reply to Benzo strength, posted by anxiety_free on December 27, 2004, at 17:41:21
I would like to think that 5mg of Valium would still work. It's been years since I took it. Since then I was on Xanax, and the Klonopin. My other concern is that Klonopin l/2 life is 30hrs I think and Valium 60hrs. I'll have to look this up again poor memory. Would that mean that after a while the Valium would accumulate and 5mg would actually be as strong or stronger than the Klonopin? It's so confusing. I don't have a scientific mind. As I discussed with Eduk, I'm not sure my pdoc would rx it for me. But, I'm mentally more comfortable with it. Thanks for responding. Phillipa
Posted by missamor on December 27, 2004, at 18:53:19
In reply to Benzo strength, posted by anxiety_free on December 27, 2004, at 17:41:21
my experience is with xanax, valium and klonopin (k-which is the only med i take.) it took a little while like everyone has said for the medicine to become regulated in your system. i think maybe the large dose in evenings could be making you feel this way. you should try different times to take it and see if it works better for you. i started off taking .5mg in mid morning and mid afternoon. and after a short while i never felt the medicine "hit" my body. with the long life span i think that is a huge benefit of taking klonopin, it eventually is in your body and you dont notice a change in you alertness or the way you feel as much as you do when you take valium or xanax. at least for me. best of luck as you find what works for you. i have had little or no side effects from klonpin, as some claim to feel depressed. but i have never suffered from depression. (may be the factor there.)
regards-
missamor
Posted by awatts on December 27, 2004, at 19:37:24
In reply to Compare Benzos in Strength Need Help!, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 17:26:46
> Just read Psycho-Babble on how different benzos compare in strength and was shocked to see that .25Klonopin is equivalent to 5mg of Valium and .5 mg of Xanax. Was shocked because I thought Klonopin was weaker than the others and that was why you could take up to something like 20mgs with seizures. I am taking l.5mg total at night of Klonopin and now wonder if that is why I feel so "spacey", etc. I used to take 5mgs of valium and it made me feel great. Is this information correct, not that I don't belive Psycho-Babble, but I'm in shock to think I'm taking such a high doseage. Is this a lot in your opinion or should I cut back, and try to get on the Valium? Thanks Phillipa
I do best on 0.5 mg of Klonopin twice a day. By comparison, it takes 10 mg of Valium to make a real difference in my anxiety. A friend of mine takes only 0.25 mg of Klonopin twice a day - any more and she's sedated and depressed. I think that most people who complain of sedation, weakness, or depression from Klonopin are taking to much.
If you decide to cut back, remember that your anxiety WILL increse for 2 or 3 weeks because you will go through some withdrawal. Don't let this confuse you into thinking that you needed the higher dose. Give the lower dose some time.
Posted by Glydin on December 27, 2004, at 22:07:21
In reply to Compare Benzos in Strength Need Help!, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 17:26:46
I think the benzo conversion charts are good for comparison and in particular when one might be switching benzo's around. Also, I think they give a good "ballpark" indication of how doses compare.
In my experience, those comparsions did not hold true. The comparable dose of Xanax for the Klonopin dosing I was on was as if I had taken nothing.
I'm thinking there's alot about metabolism, absorption,and how things work their actions in the brain to consider individual to individual that the charts aren't aware of.
I do think you should go with what you have found comfortable to use and where you have found success.
Posted by Maxime on December 30, 2004, at 2:24:24
In reply to Compare Benzos in Strength Need Help!, posted by Phillipa on December 27, 2004, at 17:26:46
BENZO and Number is in mg
For example - .5 mg of Klonopin is equivalent to 10 mg of Ativan
Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.5
Bromazepam (Lexotan, Lexomil)5-6
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) 25
Clobazam (Frisium) 20
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) 0.5
Clorazepate (Tranxene) 15
Diazepam (Valium) 10
Estazolam (ProSom) 1-2
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) 1
Flurazepam (Dalmane) 15-30
Halazepam (Paxipam) 20
Ketazolam (Anxon)15-30
Loprazolam (Dormonoct) 1-2
Lorazepam (Ativan) 1
Lormetazepam (Noctamid) 1-2
Medazepam (Nobrium) 10
Nitrazepam (Mogadon) 10
Nordazepam (Nordaz, Calmday) 10
Oxazepam (Serax, Serenid, Serepax) 20
Prazepam (Centrax) 10-20
Quazepam (Doral) 20
Temazepam (Restoril, Normison, Euhypnos) 20
Triazolam (Halcion) 0.5
Hope this helps.Maxime
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