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HWN Suggests

The Danger of Relying on Anti-Anxiety Drugs

One of my clients, Cameron, told me he always kept a low dose of the medication Klonopin on hand after he’d suffered a panic attack on a flight. It also helped when he was feeling on edge and stressed about his job in sales. Cameron explained that just knowing the pill bottle was in his bag was comforting, especially if he was anticipating a meeting he felt unprepared for or started to feel his heart fluttering. “Klonopin makes me feel like I’m weightless, like I’m lying on a hammock,” he told me, describing how the drug melted his stress away. His psychiatrist had prescribed it to help him ward off panic and advised him to take it “just a couple of times a week.” He liked the feeling of calm…

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Articles of Interest

A Quiet Drug Problem Among the Elderly

For years, geriatricians and researchers have sounded the alarm about the use of benzodiazepines among older adults. Often called “benzos,” the problem drugs include Valium (diazepam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazepam).

Can You Take Klonopin for Sleep? Here’s What the Research Says

Klonopin isn’t a first-choice medication for helping you sleep. It has significant risks, including daytime drowsiness, which can cause falls and accidents. It can also lead to dependence, misuse, and overdose.

My Klonopin Nightmare: Side Effects of Klonopin Withdrawal

Let me be clear about one thing: I've never misused Klonopin (generic name "clonazepam"). It was prescribed to me by my doctor, and I always followed the dosage instructions to the letter. But many people who take benzos for a long period of time develop a psychological or physical dependence on them. I am one of those people. My body began to physically require this awful drug.

Now I've quit benzodiazepines, this year will be the first I can remember for a decade

Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax) are notorious for being among the most difficult drugs in the world to quit, with severe withdrawal symptoms possible after just one month.

The Klonopin High: More Dangerous Than Cocaine?

When it comes to prescription drug addictions, we hear a lot about opioids like Hydrocodone, Oxy, and Fentanyl. After all, there’s an epidemic sweeping the country. These drugs were responsible for more than 30,000 overdose deaths in 2016 alone. It’s no wonder they make headlines. We also hear horror stories about Xanax and Valium. However, there is another highly addictive script we should all be wary of. It’s called Klonopin.

The Positives and Negatives of Clonazepam

Clonazepam is a medication with not just one, but two extremely beneficial uses. First, the drug (which is also known by the brand name Klonopin) is often prescribed to those with panic disorders. Second, clonazepam is useful in the treatment of epilepsy because it is effective as an anticonvulsant. One pharmaceutical with two important uses seems like a good thing, right? And it is a good thing. Many, many people are helped by the proper use of clonazepam, leading better lives because their panic disorder or epilepsy is under control. Unfortunately, however, some people—including some who first took the drug for legitimate reasons under the care of a physician—misuse clonazepam.

The Safer Benzodiazepine: Why Klonopin Beats Xanax

One of the main differences between Klonopin and Xanax is their half-life, which is the amount of time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the medication. Klonopin has a longer half-life than Xanax, meaning that it remains in the body for a longer period of time. This makes it a more suitable option for those who require long-term treatment for anxiety or panic disorders, as they do not have to take the medication as frequently. The longer half-life also means that the effects of Klonopin are more gradual, providing a more sustained effect.

What's She Taking: Generation RX

It takes up to eight pills to get 26-year-old Jenny Ellis through her day. Before her morning coffee, she pops two Lortab painkillers to help relieve the achy, flulike symptoms of her fibromyalgia. In the afternoon, taking two Tylenol 3 with codeine keeps her discomfort at bay. With dinner, it's a Cymbalta for depression and a Klonopin for anxiety.

Resources

NAMI

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. It is approved for the treatment of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), as well as certain types of seizure disorders. However, benzodiazepines are also commonly used to treat difficulty sleeping and alcohol withdrawal.

StatPearls

Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug used for the acute treatment of panic disorder, epilepsy, and nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The drug also has many off-label indications, including restless leg syndrome, acute mania, insomnia, and tardive dyskinesia. Clonazepam is a long-acting and high-potency benzodiazepine; it behaves as a GABA-A receptor agonist.