Does Klonopin have the same side effects as Effexor?

[Crispy83]

I took Effexor for 5 years and noticed that when I tried to slow the dosage or missed a dose, I got horrible brain shocks. I successfully got off it after enduring these brain shocks for 2 weeks, (with the help of others telling me those side effects would eventually pass). Now my anxiety and panic attacks are returning 5 months later and I think I need to go back on medicine. This is terrible as I had hoped that one day I might be able to control my anxiety without taking medicine the rest of my life, but I'm not so sure. So I was thinking about asking my doctor to try me on Klonopin (my family and friends suggested) but I'm afraid of more brain shocks. Can anyone help?

[M4Y0U]

Hello there,

Klonopin is used on a relatively short term. There is no sane doctor that will go for a 6 months treatment with a benzodiazepine like Klonopin. Klonopin is good to control panic attack when they happens but you can't take this for a long term treatment. Effexor was the drug to use for a long term treatment.

I might also suggest you try Cymbalta. It's a SNRI like Effexor but it's newer and from the same maker of Effexor. Personally i think it's better than Effexor and the recent studies show really good results with Cymbalta. Effexor was introduced in 1993 and Cymbalta in 2004 for neuropathic pains and 2007 for treatment of depression and anxiety.

Please note that i'm not a doctor and i'm only giving you suggestion based on my personal knowledge and current studies.

You should talk about this with your doctor. Having success with Effexor doesn't mean you will have more success with Cymbalta since one drug does not fit all.

Best regards,
M4

[Tangled]

I couldn't tolerate Effexor. The side effects for me were just horrendous. I would get those brain zaps as well as an odd, never-ending, pass out type of feeling in the middle of my forehead every single time I took my dose. Klonopin helped me out a lot, but as M4YOU stated, it's used only for a short while due to its addictive nature. But you can ask for some to tide you over until your antidepressant kicks in.

[bosnianworrier]

So you are off effexor but feel bad again?

I take both effexor and klonopin. I am weaning off effexor though. Klonopin withdrawal will be just as bad if not worse.

I don't think klonopin will give you brain shocks when you start but once you get used to it it will be harder to quit than effexor. I have been on it 2 years. After I quit effexor I will try to quit klonopin to see how I will feel.

But whatever you decide to try, make sure ur monitored and approved by ur doctor.

[cj29]

Actually, Klonopin is a longer acting benzo that is actually used on a more long term basis than Xanax or Ativan because of its much longer half life.  It is a benzo and can become addicting, however, talk to your doctor about it.  Sane doctors do prescribe this for six months or longer because of the longer half life.  Remember that we are not doctors in this forum, so just ensure you talk to your doctor about this.  I do agree though, that the shorter you stay on a benzo, the easier it is to get off of.  I was on Klonopin years ago for about a year and did not have any major problems coming off of it. As long as you stay in communication with your doctor and come off of it very slowly, you will be fine in my opinion.  

[bosnianworrier]

Benzos are addictive. so are anti depressants. You miss a dose you feel ******. What is the difference? You taper off of both of them when you decide to quit. I see no difference.

[bosnianworrier]

The only advantage antidepressants have is they don't wear out like benzos (if it is true that benzos wear out)

[bbq33]

I tool Effexor XR. I also took  2mg of klonopin three times a day for three years. I tried to quit the Effexor cold turkey but could not. I broke the capsules and took 1/2 a dose for a week then 1/4 dose for another week. I coud get off it that way. It made my head feel wiered and I had things like electric shocks going through my head every 10 seconds or so.
The Klonopin, even at a high dose was easy to quit cold turkey, It stays in your system for about 42 hours and drops down slowly. I kept a few in case I needed them. I took .5 mg of klonopin for a few days at night for insomnia. It was easy to get off Klonopin but hard to get off Effexor.
bbq33