Klonopin

[bpchrisb]

I am a new member, I have been diagnosed with Type Two Bipolar Depression and I take 1.5mg of Klonopin a day along with several other medications. The Klonopin is very affective in stopping my agitated manic phases, which isthe most serious aspect of my illness. I have two questions:

1. I have been told that 1.5 mgs of klonopin is small dose of the medication and that it's not something that I should be concerned with. Is 1.5 mgs a small dose?

2.My psychiatrist and I have discussed weaning off of the Klonopin, or at least decreasing the dose. I am also on Neurontin, so we would like to know if that medication is enough to control the mania. Again, I take 1.5 mgs, split into .5 mg doses, three times a day. The tapering schedule we have come up with would involve reducing the overall dosage by 1/6th every few weeks; cutting one dose in half, starting with the noon dose. Is this a sound tapering schedule or do we need to go slower? I have only been on the meds for 6 months, but I don't want to deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

[cornyguy]

I am beginning to feel better initially.Can I do a direct transition from Xanax 1.25 mg to Klonipin 1.25mg .Do I have to taper Xanax while being on Klonipin.Thanks.

[cornyguy]

My Psychiatrist switched me from Xanax 1.25 mg To Klonopin 1.25 mg and I am beiginning to feel better.How long should I maintain myself on 1.25 mg Klonopin before I start tapering Klonopin as well.

[ILADVOCATE]

That's a reasonable enough dose of Klonopin that withdrawal symptoms would be of concern if you titrated off it too fast but your psychiatrist's titration schedule seems reasonable. Klonopin is an anti-anxiety medication that can have some effect as a mood stabilizer as well. The more important thing is whether the Neurontin will work alone and if it doesn't there are other mood stabilizers that could be added to it. You should speak to your psychiatrist about it. Here is a full list:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm