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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
dr wants me on klonopin .25 3x daily...is this a high or lose dose and should I be concerned
Posted by herpills on January 22, 2015, at 13:02:10
In reply to klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
> dr wants me on klonopin .25 3x daily...is this a high or lose dose and should I be concerned
You shouldn't be concerned. Your focus should be on following a treatment plan that helps you feel better.
Posted by Lou Pilder on January 22, 2015, at 13:17:53
In reply to Re: klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by herpills on January 22, 2015, at 13:02:10
> > dr wants me on klonopin .25 3x daily...is this a high or lose dose and should I be concerned
>
> You shouldn't be concerned. Your focus should be on following a treatment plan that helps you feel better.Friends,
It is written above.
But if one is to focus on a plan for feeling better, could they not ask themselves, "at what cost"? And could they not ask themselves if their is an alternative to taking addicting drugs that could cause life-ruining conditions and death?
Lou
Posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2015, at 14:19:09
In reply to klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
Joe not a high dose at all. Good idea. Phillipa
Posted by ClearSkies on January 22, 2015, at 16:24:50
In reply to klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
I have been at .25mg 4 times a day and it's not considered problematic - apart from the stigma of being on a benzo.
I think we'd have to be on much higher dosages for it to be an issue. What I can recommend, though, is that you don't try to skip a dose unless it's been prescribed PRN, or as needed. It's never helped me to do it.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 22, 2015, at 16:33:39
In reply to klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
> dr wants me on klonopin .25 3x daily...is this a high or lose dose and should I be concerned
Just normal. Nothing unusual.
Posted by rjlockhart37 on January 22, 2015, at 20:42:14
In reply to klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 22, 2015, at 11:12:19
thats not a high dose, high doses are usally 2mg tablets, taken several times a day
Posted by joe f on January 23, 2015, at 9:10:41
In reply to Re: klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by rjlockhart37 on January 22, 2015, at 20:42:14
sorry that was .5 3x daily but I am on tefretol also which reduce klonopin by 30% maybe it is time to keep a steady schedule of 3x daily
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 23, 2015, at 11:15:29
In reply to Re: klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by joe f on January 23, 2015, at 9:10:41
> sorry that was .5 3x daily but I am on tefretol also which reduce klonopin by 30% maybe it is time to keep a steady schedule of 3x daily
So 1.5mg in total of clonazepam. What do you take it for? Some form of severe anxiety?
Posted by ed_uk2010 on January 23, 2015, at 12:29:20
In reply to Re: klonopin-frequent dosing, posted by ed_uk2010 on January 23, 2015, at 11:15:29
Low or high?
...I would (personally) tend to categorise clonazepam doses as follows. This is not set in stone by any means. It's an approximate guide.
TOTAL dose per 24 hours shown below (the total dose is normally given once daily or divided into 2, 3 or 4 smaller doses as appropriate):
0.125mg to 0.25mg per day. Very low dose treatment.
May be particularly suitable in the elderly. Also used while tapering off the medication gradually.
0.25 to 0.5mg per day. Low dose treatment.
Those who are sensitive to benzos may respond well to low doses. Anxiety can be reduced with fewer side effects. Can be useful in conditions which respond well to benzos, especially when used for less than a month. Low doses are normally ineffective for conditions poorly responsive to benzos eg. mania.
0.5mg to 2mg per day. Standard/average dose for severe anxiety and panic disorder.
Useful for exacerbations of anxiety and while waiting for antidepressants to take effect in severe anxiety disorders. Sometimes continued long term for resistant anxiety, especially where several antidepressants have not been effective. Klonopin is not suitable for mild temporary anxiety at any dose. Similarly, benzos are not appropriate for mild insomnia.
3mg to 4mg per day. High dose treatment.
Sometimes used in acute mania, for severe agitation and for the short-term relief of severe anxiety states. High doses are best used for the shortest possible duration. Mania is more effectively treated with other drugs beyond the first few days, occasionally weeks. Large doses of benzos are normally a short term measure where rapid sedation is necessary. Benzos are not usually very effective for mania except at doses which produce substantial sedation - antipsychotics are considerably more effective but may be inadequate alone for severe agitation, hence the use of benzos as an add on.
5mg to 8mg per day. Very high dose treatment.
Not much used in outpatients. Mainly used in inpatients for the same reasons as high dose treatment.
>8mg to 20mg per day. Unusual dosing!
Possible; but almost never appropriate for any indication, either psychiatric or epilepsy. The idea that ultra high doses of clonazepam are appropriate in epilepsy is misleading. Very few pts are rxed such doses. Side effects are likely to be severe and efficacy beyond the first few weeks is poor due to the development of tolerance. Most seizure disorders are best treated chronically with other meds. Benzos are useful short term at standard doses, sometimes being used to 'cover' exacerbations and while switching other meds. Injectable benzos are very useful for prolonged seizures. Lorazepam is popular for this purpose.
This is the end of the thread.
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