I recently posted another similar question but didn't include all the details and was no longer getting replies.
Does anyone take klonopin "as needed"? Some doctors prescribe it to be taken bid or tid... but mine is "bid prn" so it says "take one twice a day as needed" What does that even mean?? I'm curious how to know when is the correct time to take one. When is it ever really "needed"? It seems like with my anxiety/panic issues, I can literally always consider it "needed" under current circumstances so I just don't know what to do. I feel like the "as needed" implies my doc doesn't want me taking it regardless, yet I'm given enough. Another issue is my mother making me feel guilty for taking to it, which only adds to my stress. Thanks in advance for your replies :)
Added 29 Aug 2012:
Just wanting to add, it kicks in for me within about 1 hour and the relief lasts approximately 8 hours.
I was prescribed this prn. Or twice a day. I took one the second evening that I had them. I could not tell you much about anything after that. My husband and I were having problems so I told my Doctor that I needed something to just take when I got overly stressed. It was a very small dosage. The first day I took it was on a Friday, by Monday morning I was in ICU with a tube down my throat so I could breathe. I did take too many that morning I know because my husband and I was ending our relationship of 5 years and I was devastated but I have never thought of harming myself like that. I also take 20 mg Lexapro once a day. Has anyone else had similar effects of this med. I will never take it again.
Votes: +0
CW
cwake19
11 Oct 2012
How many did you take to end up in ICU? Are you on any narcotic pain medications at the time or were you drinking? It's almost impossible to overdose on a benzo alone without another sedative involved. I'm very surprised, a "small dose" or even 10 of these wouldn't put you in the ICU Unable to breathe... I'm interested to hear. You have to be careful and use them as directed is what I've learned. I'm on a partial-opioid medication and I have to be extra careful but it still doesn't slow my breathing with the low dosages that I take. Glad you're ok now..
IN
Inactive
11 Oct 2012
Where in the world did you get the idea that it is almost impossible to OD on a Benzo alone??? This is NOT impossible at all!! IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY! And it doesn't take much for some ppl! some ppl have a bad reaction on the smallest dose and they don't need to take alcohol or an opiate with it!
CW
cwake19
12 Oct 2012
I got the idea about everywhere. The median lethal dose of Xanax for example is at a minimum, 331 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. This is an unbelievable amount of medication. I can't be the only one that is aware of this. The worst an "only benzo overdose" can cause is a short coma state. Death is an extremely rare occurrence, this is why the benzodiazepines replaced barbiturates in their uses a while back due to their low toxicity. But realistically, someone who dies from benzo overdose either has other depressants on board, got access to and devoured a high amount of pure clonazepam concentrate, or is a rare bizzare case. I'm not a doctor but I've never read ANYWHERE that lethal benzo overdoses can happen without some kind of interaction. Not trying to start an argument, but where have you heard of people dying from a benzo alone? I'd be interested to know because I've just never heard of one. Not claiming to be a doctor or a scientist, I apologize
CW
cwake19
12 Oct 2012
PS I think you may have gotten me confused. I meant that a LETHAL benzo overdose is almost impossible. An overdose doesn't always result in death, indeed.
IN
Inactive
12 Oct 2012
I misread what you meant... sorry about that, no hard feelings I hope. I just like to make sure that everyone get's the right info, as I'm sure that you do too... sorry for the misunderstanding. :)
PRN means as needed... simple as that... you are to take it 2 or 3 times a day as needed... :)
Votes: +0
IN
Inactive
1 Sep 2012
Hi cwake, you will know when you need to take one, as when your anger, or obsessions start to rear their awful heads. It's best not to take them "in case" you might need the med, unless you are sure that you will be in a position that will set off the feelings. Some people have no problem getting off of the Klonopin with it's long half life, yet others who have addictive tendencies, have a difficult time getting off of them. (Having addictive tendencies does NOT mean that you are an addict, just means that you have the genes that tend to make it easier to become addicted.) People like that can become addicts, but if you are aware of your abilities, that may not pertain to you.
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AN
angel1662
29 Aug 2012
Hi cwake forget to let u no the way I take mine is around 7am, 4pm, and then right before bed!!Good luck get back to me if u have any other??Angel
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IN
Inactive
28 Aug 2012
Hello cwake19. Exactly what it says. If you know that say the upcoming day is going to be a high stress one, you'd take one say upon awakening. It as Laurie suggested a long half life and can be in your system as long as anywhere from 18 to 45 hours. It can take from one to four hours for a person to begin to feel the drug work. Best of wishes, pledge
Votes: +1
BA
balbanese
28 Aug 2012
Have you asked that Dr this question? I would be very interested to hear the reason for this.
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CW
cwake19
29 Aug 2012
I'm hesitant to ask because I don't want to bother him like I used to in the past. I only see him quarterly so I'd have to set an appt with him.
BA
balbanese
29 Aug 2012
You can probably get a question like this to him through his nurse, who will also relay the answer. If not, it's worth an appt. it's your health after all.
CW
cwake19
29 Aug 2012
What exactly should I ask? I would like to ask if he would be willing to allow TID prn, that kind of stuff usually hasn't required an appointment in the past. I think I know what he means by as needed. Take up to two if I have to. But seeing as klonopin is hard for me to judge taking as an "as needed" med, maybe I need to let him know this.
BA
balbanese
29 Aug 2012
You would ask him the exact same question you posted here.
I am prescribed 3x daily no prn..Prn just means take when needed, so you are basically prescribed 2pills a day as needed, not to exceed that amount, meaning if u take the 2, and want to take another u are not taking them right!!Klonopin has worked best for me, I have been on xanax, ativan, valium which I hated the valium made me sluggish all the x never wanted to do anything!!The ativan and xanax work pretty quick, meaning when u take it you don't have to wait very long for it to work, that was the up side, but the down side is they wear off quick and if u have really bad anxiety in my opinion your likely to abuse simply cause of the fact that they are in you possesion and your brain might just say man I still have alot left and I am feeling anxious after the first one wore if and find yourself taking another, with that being said you will get youself in trouble, addiction wise as well as running out before the next script is do, trust me been there done that!!! I found that u might have to wait a little longer for the klonopin to kick in, but it stays works in your system longer then xanax and ativan etc... Usually around 8hrs from what the doc told me..So if I am taking 3 and they work for 8hrs I am covered around the clock!!In my opinion, just take them when u are at your worst! You are not forced into having to take both if u don't need them not saying u don't but if u have a good day and only need on just take the one!!Also Klonopin is a med. That u cannot just stop ct, u can have a seizure etc... Not trying to scare u just given u facts, if there comes a time u don't want them anymore tell your doctor and taper off slowly so u have no issues!!! Hope that helped some
Votes: +1
CW
cwake19
29 Aug 2012
Indeed it only works about 7-8 hours for me :(... I understand that it has a "very long half-life" but it so does methadone. That doesn't mean methadone's analgesic properties are felt for the entire half-life. Xanax only works for about 2-3 hours for me. With Klonopin, I feel the same as you, 3x dosing would be perfect for me but I would have to call my doctor and somehow convince him that it's necessary, which always scares me. I'm always afraid that a doc won't understand and that they'll take it as me drug-seeking or whatever.
Thanks for the comment. I most definitely am not taking more than 2 per day. It's usually one in the morning and one in the evening like between 8 and 10. I'd prefer to get by only taking one, but without it, my anger bouts, obsessive thoughts, and general uneasiness returns.
LA
LaurieShay
28 Aug 2012
I take Klonopin as needed up to twice a day. Because klonopin has such a long half life (stays in the system for a long time) I take one pill in the morning and only if necessary in the evening. The one a day holds me pretty will unless I have a bad day and my anxiety or fear becomes noticeable so then I take the second.
Votes: +2
MA
MacIntosh12
28 Aug 2012
Hi cwake, the "as needed" (this is my opinion) means take as prescribed, OR if you do not feel panicky one day, or half that day, then don't take it if you don't need it. It also means Do NOT go over the prescribed amount, in your case never take more than one tablet twice a day. You are most def allowed to take the prescribed dose of one tab twice a day.
Don't let your mother know you are taking klonopin unless you are a minor and she must know what is being prescribed to you. This is none of her concern, yet gently telling her that you know she loves you and is concerned about you taking this medication, but that you have confidence in the doctor who prescribed it for you. Tell mom that the doctor knows what she/he is doing. And forget about your mother's comments or guilting you into not taking the medication. If you are over the age of 18, then your health is your business.
Its great if your parents pay for your insurance, but it's still truly not their business to criticize you when you "Do what the doctor told you to do"! Be kind, but be firm with your mom. She loves you, this I'm just certain of. If you are having panic attacks daily (I had them every day for a few years) then take your klonopin as prescribed, twice a day. Just don't take more than that. Best wishes, and maybe if you explain to your mom just what a panic attack feels like, maybe she would understand just WHY you need that medication. Good luck, and let us know if you talk to your mom. Mac
Votes: +2
MA
MacIntosh12
28 Aug 2012
P.S. one of our wonderful nurses will answer your query a bit better than I did, so hang on. kaismama, or DzooBaby, or lmariani will give you the medical term that you are looking for regarding PRN. (hope I didn't forget any of our nurses)
