Clonazepam vs. Klonopin

fischee · Post by **fischee** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:35 pm

About three weeks ago my psychiatrist prescribed Clonazepam to me in place of Ativan. It seems like many people are on Klonopin, but is anyone taking Clonazepam? What exactly is the difference? (I know both are benzo's.).

I'm taking 1 mg twice daily; is that a lot? Quite fankly, it doesnt seem to work as well as Ativan or Xanax.

I'd really appreciate a response from anyone who is familiar with this Rx. I'm also curious about side effects.

Much thanks in advance,
fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:05 pm

i been on klonopin for about 2yrs or more now. I'm taking 0.5mg three times a day. I was up to four time. i really don't think 1mg is alot that your taking and my understanding about clonazepam vs. klonopin is that clonazepam is a gerneric brand.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:24 am

You are right in that the Clonazepam is the generic for of Klonopin. I just looked at my prescription bottle.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:27 am

Thank-you, both. I've been having a lot of headaches lately; have either of you suffered from this (or anything else)?
Again, thanks,
fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:23 am

Yes, I have been getting a lot of headaches but I can't tell if its from the medication or just my allergies / sinus problems. Whenever there is a weather change, I get headaches and I know the medication can cause headaches too. Mine can just be a combination of the two.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 4:23 pm

I get headaches, too, when there's an extreme weather change (usually migraines). But since my first post I've been keeping a mental headache journal, and about 2-3 hrs. after i take the klono I get a moderate to severe headache. i've even taken Relpax (migraine Rx) to get rid of it, and I know this is not healthy. I swear it's like someone is shoving an ice-pick through the back of my eyeball.

I'm going to try taking 3/4 a mg. instead of a full mg. and see what happens. Have you ever used Valium? I've only had it for surgery and it worked well, but I'm a little scared to take it regularly (all I can think of is "momma's little helper"- HA!), besides, my psych. is TOTALLY against prescribing it.

fischee

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:23 pm

I take 2mg klonopin 4 times a day for anixety...i dont get any side effects besides sometimes nausea...but i have nausea anyway due to stomach problems, and I take Phenergan for that. Im not sure if I am being over-prescribed though....

deedee00 · Post by **deedee00** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:55 pm

Tippy,

That's a lot of klonopin. Are you able to function with it?

As far as valium goes, your doctor is right not to rx you for it. I've taken it and it is not a very clean benzodiazepine. It tends to migrate and store in your fat cells around the heart and liver (quote from my pdoc). It is harder to get off of than klonopin, when you are ready to taper off.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 5:24 pm

Hey Turtleshoes,

I never knew this about valium, and I REALLY appreciate this information. I saw my psych. a couple days ago, and he agrees the intense headaches / migraines are likely related to the klono. However, we both came to agree that this isn't such a bad thing with my history of habituation to xanax and ativan. Since I can hardly tolerate the pain and inability to think straight, it's less likely that I'll hide in a pill bottle every time I have a panic attack. Consequently, I'll force myself to learn and USE the skills of this program (I've already done it once, and I'm very proud of myself

).

Have you been able to taper? I found an excellent program at <A HREF="http://www.theroadback.org" TARGET=_blank>www.theroadback.org</A>. I can't wait to use it when I've mastered more of the behavioral skills.

Also, you're clearly knowlegable about meds; what do you know about alternative therapies? I posted some questions in "suggest a forum" but haven't heard from anyone.

fischee