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What Are The Withdrawal Effect Of Clonazepam And Sertraline?
Question: I take .5mg of clonazepam and 50mg of sertraline daily for a month. Im on day 10 of the medication and feel loke its helped a lot. My anxiety is reduced and so have my panic attacks. They would drive me crazy and cause PVCS(pre ventricular contractions). Mu question is will i have any withdrawl effects after i have depleted my meds?
Brief Answer:
Mild withdrawal symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic, I Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Consultant Psychiatrist am going to solve your query
You are on Clonazepam 0.5 mg and Sertraline 50 mg per day. You are taking the medicine since last 10 days and have reported improvement in anxiety and panic attacks.
As Sertraline is a SSRI and it result in increased serotonin transmission in brain and cause changes in receptor sensitivities which are responsible for effects in controlling anxiety and panic attacks. Abrupt stoppage of drug after prolonged use results in receptor hyperactivities resulting in withdrawal effects. So abrupt stoppage of sertraline theoretically should cause withdrawal effects.
But you have been taking for 10 days only and the dose is 50 mg only which is a low dose, so at this time and dose the withdrawal effects will be minimal like slight increase in restlessness and anxiety.
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and the drug cause sedation and relieves anxiety. It is not advisable to take the drug on continuous basis for more than 4 weeks unless strongly indicated. The drug is associated with dependence risk and abuse potential. Abrupt discontinuation of this drug may cause insomnia and restlessness. I usually prescribe the drug on SOS basis to my patients once they get stabilised on medicines.
I would advise you to gradually decrease the doses of drug if you will have depletion of drug supply. Tapering the doses will prevent withdrawal effects.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more uncleared doubts please ask again.
Mild withdrawal symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic, I Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Consultant Psychiatrist am going to solve your query
You are on Clonazepam 0.5 mg and Sertraline 50 mg per day. You are taking the medicine since last 10 days and have reported improvement in anxiety and panic attacks.
As Sertraline is a SSRI and it result in increased serotonin transmission in brain and cause changes in receptor sensitivities which are responsible for effects in controlling anxiety and panic attacks. Abrupt stoppage of drug after prolonged use results in receptor hyperactivities resulting in withdrawal effects. So abrupt stoppage of sertraline theoretically should cause withdrawal effects.
But you have been taking for 10 days only and the dose is 50 mg only which is a low dose, so at this time and dose the withdrawal effects will be minimal like slight increase in restlessness and anxiety.
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine drug and the drug cause sedation and relieves anxiety. It is not advisable to take the drug on continuous basis for more than 4 weeks unless strongly indicated. The drug is associated with dependence risk and abuse potential. Abrupt discontinuation of this drug may cause insomnia and restlessness. I usually prescribe the drug on SOS basis to my patients once they get stabilised on medicines.
I would advise you to gradually decrease the doses of drug if you will have depletion of drug supply. Tapering the doses will prevent withdrawal effects.
Thanks, hope this helps you. If you have more uncleared doubts please ask again.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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