Aa
No. But neither is any other drug. The question isn't whether it's safe, it's whether it's necessary, meaning you can't find any other way to deal with the problem. One of the reasons benzos aren't available easily in the UK is that they've done much more research on them than here, and the more you learn, well, there it is.
If you take it as prescribed then it is fine. I take a 2mg tablet 3x's a day. Which a large amount however if you are a first timer meaning is it the first script you have I wouldn't take 2mgs It slows you heart rate and I am quit sure that you will be sleeping in 20 minutes.
There is no "best" way to deal with anxiety, each case is very individual. Every medication (even OTC and "natural" supplements) come with a certain level of risk. When trying to decide with your doctor what is the best way for YOU to treat any condition, it's important to weigh the risks vs the benefits of a medication.
While benzodiazepines, like Klonopin certainly have some draw backs (dependency and tolerance), they also can be very effective in treating anxiety when used properly, with careful consideration.
I've been on Ativan, "as needed", meaning I only take it when I REALLY need it since I was 18 (I'm 40 now), and I haven't had any major issues. There were times in my life, when either my panic was really bad, or when I was adjusting to an antidepressant (ie...Zoloft, Lexapro), contending with the common initial side effect of increased anxiety...when I needed the Ativan on a much more regular basis, and at higher doses, to control my symptoms. I never had any issues, because my doctor and I thoroughly discussed how each situation would be handled. When my anxiety/panic levels would improve, and I needed less and less of the Ativan, I worked with my doctor to gradually taper back down to my typical "as needed" dose. I didn't have any "withdrawal" symptoms and did just fine.
There are many many different meds that can be used in the treatment of an anxiety disorder. That's something you need to discuss with your doctor, and something you need to do a little homework about, before coming to any decision. Most importantly, IMO therapy is a must when treating anxiety, whether meds are involved are not. That's typically where the real progress happens.
Please let us know what's been going on, your history, and what you're experiencing as far as the anxiety goes, and we'll try to give you more specific recommendations.
Lastly, if your username means what I think it does (as in you're pregnant), then no, a medication like Klonopin is not considered "safe" during pregnancy. While there is no guarantee with ANY med or substance during pregnancy, there are pregnancy risk categories when it comes to medications, and Klonopin is a pregnancy risk "D", which is quite significant on the scale (second highest risk level). That means there is a significant risk and adverse outcomes HAVE been reported. There would actually be more optimal med choices for you if you're pregnant. that's something you would have to carefully discuss with your OB.
Just for your info, here is detailed info on the pregnancy risk categories:
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
Category N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Hope this helps, please keep in touch and let us know how we can be of more help to you!
While benzodiazepines, like Klonopin certainly have some draw backs (dependency and tolerance), they also can be very effective in treating anxiety when used properly, with careful consideration.
I've been on Ativan, "as needed", meaning I only take it when I REALLY need it since I was 18 (I'm 40 now), and I haven't had any major issues. There were times in my life, when either my panic was really bad, or when I was adjusting to an antidepressant (ie...Zoloft, Lexapro), contending with the common initial side effect of increased anxiety...when I needed the Ativan on a much more regular basis, and at higher doses, to control my symptoms. I never had any issues, because my doctor and I thoroughly discussed how each situation would be handled. When my anxiety/panic levels would improve, and I needed less and less of the Ativan, I worked with my doctor to gradually taper back down to my typical "as needed" dose. I didn't have any "withdrawal" symptoms and did just fine.
There are many many different meds that can be used in the treatment of an anxiety disorder. That's something you need to discuss with your doctor, and something you need to do a little homework about, before coming to any decision. Most importantly, IMO therapy is a must when treating anxiety, whether meds are involved are not. That's typically where the real progress happens.
Please let us know what's been going on, your history, and what you're experiencing as far as the anxiety goes, and we'll try to give you more specific recommendations.
Lastly, if your username means what I think it does (as in you're pregnant), then no, a medication like Klonopin is not considered "safe" during pregnancy. While there is no guarantee with ANY med or substance during pregnancy, there are pregnancy risk categories when it comes to medications, and Klonopin is a pregnancy risk "D", which is quite significant on the scale (second highest risk level). That means there is a significant risk and adverse outcomes HAVE been reported. There would actually be more optimal med choices for you if you're pregnant. that's something you would have to carefully discuss with your OB.
Just for your info, here is detailed info on the pregnancy risk categories:
Category A
Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
Category B
Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Category C
Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category D
There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.
Category X
Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use of the drug in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
Category N
FDA has not classified the drug.
Hope this helps, please keep in touch and let us know how we can be of more help to you!
I assume you mean Klonopin.
In my country, benzodiazepines are more or less banned for treating chronic anxiety conditions because they can cause addiction. They are almost only used in the setting of acute anxiety (like during panic attacks, or when exposed to certain phobias, like before taking a flight).
Still, the medicine is "safe" from what I know, meaning there are rarely serious side effects, if it is used as prescribed by your doctor. But of course, the best way to deal with anxiety is without benzodiazepines.
In my country, benzodiazepines are more or less banned for treating chronic anxiety conditions because they can cause addiction. They are almost only used in the setting of acute anxiety (like during panic attacks, or when exposed to certain phobias, like before taking a flight).
Still, the medicine is "safe" from what I know, meaning there are rarely serious side effects, if it is used as prescribed by your doctor. But of course, the best way to deal with anxiety is without benzodiazepines.
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