Does Intake Of Klonopin Cause Cardiac Issues?

Posted on Mon, 30 May 2016

Question: I take 3mg of klonopin before bed time..I was reading an article on paxil, seroquel, and klonopin sending people into cardiac arrest. The article mentioned that klonopin is very dangerous. Is this true? People were dying in their sleep and considering that i take klonopin in order to go to sleep it scares me. I try to stay up for a bit after i take it so that it doesn't slow my breathing too much because i do suffer from a little bit of sleep apnea. Another thing i want to know is is klonopin dangerous to take as needed? Ill usually take 3mg before bed two nights in a row and then not take it for a few days then repeat....

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is not as dangerous as mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First to allay your fears I need to inform you that there may be isolated events but t the age of 22 it is not as dangerous as mentioned in some online article.

Next I need to inform you that indiscriminate use of any medication use is dangerous and I think 3 mg is not a routine sleeping dose. I understand you are taking as needed basis but you need to explore other options for sleep rather than going for klonopin. The options are limitless from Z drugs to low dose antipsychotics and other benzodiazepines.

I need to assure you than as need basis use of klonopin is less dangerous from routine use but try to use something else after talking to your doctor as it may become a routine affair after using it for few months/years.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (22 minutes later)

Thanks so much for all of your info and for getting back to me so quickly. One part i did not understand was why me being 22 would make me less prone to danger and then you said "Next I need to inform you that indiscriminate use of any medication use is dangerous and I think 3 mg is not a routine sleeping dose. I understand you are taking as needed basis but you need to explore other options for sleep rather than going for klonopin. "

I don't understand that part well. Please elaborate if possible. Thanks again. I look forward to your answer. :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
because we have the perfect metabolizing enzymes at a young age

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

The routine dose for sleep is 0.5 to 1 mg and almost never 3 mg. From my clinical experience I can say that most patients who take 3 mg have some other issues rather than isolated insomnia. If we are able to correct that underlying issues we can reduce the klonopin dose to much lower level.

Additionally klonopin is not a preferred sleep medication as it has addiction potential. People who use it for long duration develop tolerance to its action and ultimately dependence.

Due to fear of addiction it is important to explore other sleep aids like z drugs.

I hope this clarifies.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (13 hours later)

I understand. I have been taking klonopin on and off for about a year. I have built tolerance to it. I take it at night because i suffer from severe anxiety and it helps me to calm down about an hour before i go to sleep. I am going to see a psychiatrist next week. I am wondering if ativan is better for long term use to alleviate debilitating anxiety. Please let me know your thoughts.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antidepressants or buspar is is drug of choice in anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.

Ativan and klonopin are sisters (benzodiazepines)and we can expect something different in terms of risks associated with their use. Bothe ativan and klonopin can cause dependence by development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms.

In case you have chronic anxiety it will be appropriate to get antidepressants or buspar as they are equally effective in anxiety and can be used for long term without fear of any dependence in on run. The main drawback with antidepressants is delayed onset of action. Most of them take two weeks before showing significant clinical response.

I request you to talk to your doctor about these options as it is important to minimize the risks of addiction of benzodiazepines.

I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (7 days later)

Okay thank you. Now, I am not an addictive person. I have never been addicted to something. That's not my worry although i'm sure it is a doctors worry...i was on buspar and it was absolutely awful. My dr had me on 10 mg it gave me a killer headache and i went to sleep..then i took 5 mg and it still did the same thing. Any suggestions?

Also..can klonopin cause bedwetting?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The other choice is antidepressants

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I understand your point that buspar did not suit you and you stopped it after discussing with your doctor.

In this scenario other antidepressants are the alternative option. The two classes of antidepressants SSRI and SNRI are preferred agent for long term management of anxiety.

Klonopin is not known to cause bed wetting but in case you have very deep sleep it can increase chances of bed wetting provided you did not void your bladder before going to sleep.

I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar