Xanax vs. Klonopin

[zali62]

I had been on Xanax, taking three 0.25 mg. tablets a day.  I was tapered off this slowly and prescribed Klonopin, at one 0.5 mg. a day, which I was told would be better because it lasts longer.  From my experience, the Xanax was much more effective.  Has anyone else experienced this difference?

[zali62]

You make a good suggestion to divide the dose.  I have read that Klonopin should be taken twice a day.  Many thanks.

[lynn57]

If your script only gives you a maximum daily dose, there should be no problem dividing the dose.  Only taking it at night never gives you a steady amount in your system.  I would ask the doctor for a change.  I'm sure he will agree to it.

[zali62]

Thanks, again.  I hope the meds continue to work so well for you.

[BluCrystal]

Yes, I take 100mg Zoloft when I wake up.  It works all day.  I take the Klonopin when I wake up, and then again around dinnertime.

[zali62]

Thanks very much for your input.  I'm glad this is working so well for you.  I will be patient and hope things start to look up.  Do you take the Zoloft in the morning?

[BluCrystal]

I currently take klonopin .05 mg twice a day, along with 100 mg Zoloft once a day.  I feel normal again.  The Zoloft was not working well enough by itself, and ativan turned out to be not a good long-term med for me.  Klonopin has been my 'savior'.  Given enough time for the body to adjust to it, it 'smooths out' and works beautifully. - Blu

[zali62]

Thank you again.  What you say is very encouraging.

[nursegirl6572]

Sounds good.  Be patient while you are waiting for the Zoloft to do it's thing.  That can take 4-6 weeks, longer if you are going to be slowly tapered UP to your goal dose.

I had a wonderful experience with Zoloft and so have countless others.  It's one of the more commonly Rx'd SSRI's for anxiety, especially panic disorder,

[zali62]

Hello, again.  I forgot to mention that on my visit to the doctor last week he prescribed 1/2 of a 25 mg. tablet (12.5 mg.) of Zoloft once a day.  Depending on how it goes, he planned to increase to one 25 mg. tablet a day at next appointment.  

[zali62]

Thanks again for your wise advice.  

[zali62]

Thank you for responding.  No, I've never chewed Klonopin.
From what I've read, Klonopin is best taken two times a day. I've tried using 0.25 in the a.m. and 0.25 at night, but that didn't seem to help much.  Maybe 0.5 in the a.m. would be effective, but not having any at night might make it more difficult to get to sleep.  The only direction I have is to take 0.5 mg. daily.  The doctor said it would be OK to take Tylenol PM, so perhaps that would help me sleep so I could do the 0.5 mg. in the a.m.  I've tried the Tylenol PM, along with the 0.5 mg. Klonopin at night, and slept well.  I should question the doctor.

[zali62]

Thanks for your input.  No, it was not that Xanax worked faster; it was that Klonopin, at 0.5 mg. at night probably helped me sleep, but during the day I don't see that it helps at all.  I've already been on Klonopin six months, so I've given it a fair trial I think.  I have never chewed it.

[nursegirl6572]

BTW, just generally speaking here, but always take a med as prescribed, if it is Rx'd orally, then take it that way, no chewing.  Some medications are time released and chewing or crushing a pill could interfere with that, causing a much larger amount to be released into the system all at once.

I know JGF25 wasn't suggesting that, but I wanted to be clear that something like that is never a good idea.  

[nursegirl6572]

Many people have great success with Klonopin.  It is more effective if dosed at least 2 times daily (about 8-12 hours apart).  This is due to the long half life of the med and to allow it to properly build in the system.  Taking it at the same time a day is best as well.

Ask your doctor if you can try splitting up your daily dose into 2 doses (ie morning and night), and then give it some time.  Usually within a week you should notice some changes.

Good luck!

[JGF25]

Are you basing it on the fact that you thought the Xanax worked faster than the Klonopin?  The klonopin takes a little while to kick in.  I have heard that if you chew it, it works faster but I'm not advising that...just something I heard.  The Klonopin will give you a longer lasting effect than Xanax so I think in the end you will find that klonopin works better.  Give it a few days.