What is the onset time for Klonopin (Clonazepam)?

[notable_resident]

What is the onset time for 2 mg of Klonopin taken sublingually?  

Would this route of administration work similar to faster acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Ativan, or does it depend solely on having a steady amount of Klonopin in your bloodstream already?

I'm confused; why would a doctor prescribe Klonopin for anxiety attacks (i.e., take it as needed)?  

[jakegorzen]

How many times do you need it in a week?

[Ryan7591]

"What is the onset time for 2 mg of Klonopin taken sublingually?"

^quote

Thirty minutes for Klonopin. The disintegtating wafers are not necessary, as the tablets may be used in the exact same fashion. All of the Benzodiazepines can be taken sublingually, albeit their duration of action will be reduced, as peak plasma levels are obtained quicker via this route of administration, and, hence, they are eliminated more rapidly.

The only instance where steady-state would enter the picture with Klonopin is if you were previously taking a shorter-acting Benzodiazepine over the long-term, such as Ativan, Serax or Xanax. In that instance, the Klonopin would not instantaneouly replace those, but rather would need to accumulate. A single sublingual dose of Klonopin in that instance would have little to no effect, or the effect may be very short-lived (2-4 hours).

For p.r.n. use, Xanax would be the best in terms of onset - either PO or sublingually. Even though the onset of action for Klonopin is increased via the sublingual route, Xanax reaches peak plasma levels much more rapidly. Klonopin peaks between 2-4 hours via the PO route, and between 1-2 hours via the sublingual route.

If you have had no previous exposure to short-acting Benzodiazepines, Klonopin can be used on a p.r.n. basis either PO or sublingually. If you've had exposure to the short-acting agents, Xanax should be used at an equivalent dosage of 2 milligrams for guaranteed efficacy.

-Ryan

[taraol88]

is it the desovling tablets? i took them as needed and they worked right away but mine were 25 mg.