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What Are The Side Effects Of Prolonged Intake Of Klonopin?
Question: My husband took Klonopin for 8 years. He got up to 1mg three times a day. Because of concerns of memory issues his current doctor advised he get off the Klonopin. He tapered off till down to 1/2 a milligram for 6 weeks. He continued to do fine on that dose. On May 24th since my husband was doing well the doctor had him stop taking it completely. Within a few days we started seeing agitation, major sleeping concerns and ADHD type of behavior. The doctor put him on Buspirone 10 mg. morning and night for the agitation. That is improving, not a negative agitation going on but is definitely more energetic, doing a lot of busy work. He changed him from 30mg of Remeron down to 15 mg to help him sleep. That is somewhat better too. My biggest concern is he is pretty confused at times and has a very short attention span. I have read the very scary side effects of Klonopin withdrawals because of the addiction like issues. Thankfully he doesn't have all the scary problems. What is your advise. Before XXXXXXX had some memory issues but not the sleep, anxiousness, definitely not the confusion and attention problems. For many years he slept in till between10AM till noon. He watched lots of TV and didn't interact much, mostly just as necessary. Thank you for any help. Hope
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your question is a very good one. When someone has been on Klonopin for so long, withdrawal is a possibility. It is absolutely the right decision to wean off of it, however. It has serious long-term side effects such as memory loss, so your doctor is doing the right thing. If he is experiencing tremor, this could be a sign of real withdrawal. Otherwise, it may simply be emerging anxiety that the Klonopin was originally meant to treat. The addition of Buspar over time may help calm him down. An increase in his Prozac may also help over time. But there is likely to be an adjustment period of several weeks after Klonopin has been discontinued while his body adjusts. In the end, though, it is a good decision.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
Your question is a very good one. When someone has been on Klonopin for so long, withdrawal is a possibility. It is absolutely the right decision to wean off of it, however. It has serious long-term side effects such as memory loss, so your doctor is doing the right thing. If he is experiencing tremor, this could be a sign of real withdrawal. Otherwise, it may simply be emerging anxiety that the Klonopin was originally meant to treat. The addition of Buspar over time may help calm him down. An increase in his Prozac may also help over time. But there is likely to be an adjustment period of several weeks after Klonopin has been discontinued while his body adjusts. In the end, though, it is a good decision.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Do you attribute the confusion and short attention span to the Klonopin withdrawal. Does what my husband is going thru sound like typical withdrawal symptoms? Do you feel the confusion and short attention symptoms will eventually subside? The last dose my husband took was on May 23rd.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
It is possible the confusion and short attention is due to Klonopin withdrawal. But this is not necessarily the case. It could be due simply to anxiety that will now be treated with Buspirone. I would expect these symptoms to subside within 2 weeks.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
Followup
Detailed Answer:
It is possible the confusion and short attention is due to Klonopin withdrawal. But this is not necessarily the case. It could be due simply to anxiety that will now be treated with Buspirone. I would expect these symptoms to subside within 2 weeks.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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