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Taking Clonazepam. Feeling Dizzy, Nauseous And Frequent Urination. Is This The Side Effect Of Medicine?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Sep 2012
Question: I am 61 years old, am weaning off clonazepam after 22 years, was taking 1 mg am and 1 mg pm and now after 3 months am down to 1mg pm and .25 mg in am...i am very dizzy, urinating often and nauseous..is this a side effect or something else
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Answered by Dr. Chitra Reddy (1 hour later)
Hi

Thanks for posting your query,

In actuality, the precise way that clonazepam works and what happens at withdrawal is not fully understood, and the sedatory effects and withdrawal symptoms can vary from patient to patient, especially if the patient is taking other medications, illicit drugs, and/or alcohol.

Benzodiazepines, is the family of drugs to which clonazepam belongs. It is a very efficient drug. When clonazepam is withheld, the hormones adrenalin (epinephrine) and noradrenalin (nor epinephrine) can go a little crazy and overproduce which can cause a few side effects. This may cause some of the symptoms you are currently experiencing.

Though it is easier to taper a patient off clonazepam because it has a long elimination half-life; but if you were taking this drug from a long time, you may need longer and very gradual time to withdraw.

In brief, yes, these symptoms may be due to withdrawal.

Is this going on under the supervision of a psychiatrist? - If yes, you need not worry much. They should fade off very soon. If the symptoms are troubling, report back to your treating doctor to make the necessary changes.

Meanwhile I also suggest you to get a routine check up of your kidneys (because of long duration of medication). Also get your blood glucose levels checked to rule out polyuria (taking your age into consideration).

Hope I answered your query. Feel free to contact me for further queries.

Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Chitra Reddy

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2011

Answered : 151 Questions

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Taking Clonazepam. Feeling Dizzy, Nauseous And Frequent Urination. Is This The Side Effect Of Medicine?

Hi

Thanks for posting your query,

In actuality, the precise way that clonazepam works and what happens at withdrawal is not fully understood, and the sedatory effects and withdrawal symptoms can vary from patient to patient, especially if the patient is taking other medications, illicit drugs, and/or alcohol.

Benzodiazepines, is the family of drugs to which clonazepam belongs. It is a very efficient drug. When clonazepam is withheld, the hormones adrenalin (epinephrine) and noradrenalin (nor epinephrine) can go a little crazy and overproduce which can cause a few side effects. This may cause some of the symptoms you are currently experiencing.

Though it is easier to taper a patient off clonazepam because it has a long elimination half-life; but if you were taking this drug from a long time, you may need longer and very gradual time to withdraw.

In brief, yes, these symptoms may be due to withdrawal.

Is this going on under the supervision of a psychiatrist? - If yes, you need not worry much. They should fade off very soon. If the symptoms are troubling, report back to your treating doctor to make the necessary changes.

Meanwhile I also suggest you to get a routine check up of your kidneys (because of long duration of medication). Also get your blood glucose levels checked to rule out polyuria (taking your age into consideration).

Hope I answered your query. Feel free to contact me for further queries.

Regards