Clonazepam

[LittleTootie]

I'm supposed to be taking 1 .5mg clonazepam (or is it 5mg?) twice daily, but if I take one it makes me really tired and sometimes depressed or irritable. Will this go away after I take it for a while? I keep trying different anxiety meds but they all make me really tired. I know buspirone doesn't do that, but I overdosed on it once, and I don't want to take it again. So will the sedative side effect go away, or should I just take less or try something else?

[MrGreen]

No. never makes me feel tired at all. But you are also on two other types of meds as well. So together the amount may be too much for you and is knocking you for six. I take 1.5mg morning and night. Not a bother at all. Night I also take something else and do fall asleep with them both. But .5mg is the smallest dose you can get. Unless you split that in half. Your doctor may suggest that. Just to see how it works for you.

[LittleTootie]

Thanks all for the input. I'm actually supposed to be on .5mg twice daily (looked at the bottle) but I only take a half of a .5 if I need it. That seems to be working ok.
Mr. Green: It doesn't make you tired or depressed at all?
cj: I am on long-term treatment with Effexor XR and Lamictal. I will be seeing a psychiatrist in the next month or so, hopefully, so i'm looking forward to talking to someone about my symptoms and how to handle them.

[cj29]

How meds affect people from person to person can vary as Mr. Green says.  Have you ever tried a more long term treatment with SSRIs (Zolot, Prozac, Paxil, etc)? Also, have you been to counseling for your anxiety?  I am a proponent of medication only if it is combined with talk therapy.  Remember, these medications will not cure you of anything, however, in my opinion, they can be a useful tool while you gain the long term knowledge to confront and deal with your anxiety....keep us posted!

[MrGreen]

The whole idea is to relax you. But if you think it is over doing it have a word with your doctor and he may adjust the dose. Don't do it by yourself. There is a big difference between 5mg and 1.5mg. I would take a guess at 1.5mg twice daily. That may be three .5mgs tablets at a time. But speak with your doctor. I am the same amount and feel fine with it. So if does differ from person to person.