Klonopin & Felxeril to Valium?

[felixdesouza]

Im currently on Klonopin (.5mg 3x for 8 years) and flexeril (10mg 3x for 2 months) to treat my anxiety and muscle spams. The last month my anxiety has been at an alerting new level of bad, and my back spams havent gotten much better. My pcp told me to speak to my psychiatrist about switching to Valium 10 mg 3x to help with both instead ok taking the other two...

[RCA759I]

Ask for 40 milligrams of Valium (10 mg, q.i.d.). The only instance where this may be a bad decision is if you suffer from panic, as Valium is worthless in panic states. For generalized anxiety, there will be no issues. Bear in mind that the duration of action for Valium is short (6-8 hours), and in that respect, will differ from the long-acting Klonopin. Initially (for the first month), Valium produces a bit of a "roller coaster" effect, where you may feel some rebound anxiety in between doses. As the Valium accumulates, this will diminish. You need to be patient for two-to-four weeks.

Valium will not instantaneously replace Klonopin, given the longer terminal elimination half-life of Valium and its metabolites. In order for Valium to replace Klonopin, it must accumulate to steady-state (a one month process). Hence, the Klonopin should be gradually stepped out, while simultaneously stepping in the Valium. This will prevent any withdrawal symptoms while making the transition.

Week 1: Morning (Klonopin 1/2 mg), Afternoon (Valium 10 mg), Evening (Valium 10 mg), Night (Klonopin 1/2 mg)

Week 2: Morning (Valium 5 mg, Klonopin 0.25 mg), Afternoon (Valium 10 mg), Evening (Valium 10 mg), Night (Klonopin 1/2 mg)

Week 3: Morning (Valium 10 mg), Afternoon (Valium 10 mg), Evening (Valium 10 mg), Night (Valium 5 mg, Klonopin 0.25 mg)

Week 4: Valium, 10 mg, q.i.d.

Ryan