The Clonazepam is making me more depressed . My doctor says that for a lot of people Xanax XR is less depressing. I mainly have anxiety with some depression. I don't seem to respond well to SSRIs although Zoloft worked for me initially. Thanks for the help
My doctor wants to switch me from Clonazepam to Xanax XR. Would appreciate any advice?
Question posted by anna11 on 12 Oct 2015
Last updated on 9 February 2019 by Jesseeg
5 Answers
Jesseeg
9 Feb 2019
I have taken both. I have good results with Xanax ER I have had extreme anxiety for years. It helps me.
Xces83p
29 Jan 2018
Sorry I am just now updating my research on different benzos. Personally, I suggest weaning very slowly. I cut my dosage by 1/8 every two weeks when leaving klonopin behind. It took me about four months to get off a 1mg tablet. It had limited a limited impact on my life. I also added Xanax during this process. I know a small dose probably has a negligible impact on symptoms but mine was coping mentally without something I was accustomed to for so long. I now take 0.5 mg of Xanax as needed. It only gives me a headache and limited anxiety now if I miss a dose. I also recommended reading up on NLP. I particularly like Dr. Richard Handlers book Get The Life You Want, but you need to read it through and prepare fornthe exercises. Good luck everyone.
BenzoWarrior
9 June 2017
I know this is an extremely old post, but the Klonopin is a much safer, and better medication to take.
It has a much longer half life than Xanax, and can stay in your body's system for up to 30+ hours as to where Xanax is literally only 8 hours tops (the XR's are 16+ hours).
Klonopin is the longest half life benzo.
If you're still on Xanax XR I highly suggest tapering down, and switching to Klonopin 2mg. Once tapered off properly, you'll see the big difference.
Klonopin worked so much better for me than Xanax, and I was prescribed 3 times 2mg a day. Now I only need one 1mg Klonopin tablet a day, which I take in 2 halfs.
Everyone is different, and everyone's body reacts differently.
But don't be alarmed..
Any Benzo will help benzo withdrawal in the sense you may feel some discomfort still, but in reality it's all in your head. You won't have a seizure as long as your body has a benzo in it. I.e. Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, Xanax, etc.. It's not a good idea to go from Klonopin to Xanax.
Valium is the second longest half life in comparison to Klonopin. I don't personally have any experience with using Valium for a w/d comfort, but iv3 heard miracle stories.
I really hope you're good now.
I'm in the process of trying to taper off Klonopin, and benzos completely.
I never abused these drugs, always taken in moderation as prescribed, which I was given an initial prescription for Xanax for panic disorder, but once I realized I developed a super tolerance, and dependency I had to slowly quit, taper off, and switch to Klonopin.
Sorry for the late, and long response. Hope you're well now.
Kris711
18 Oct 2017
Klonopin does not have the longest half life outta all the rxd benzos
1.valium
2.librium
3.klonopin and so on
Stephen Treloar
12 Oct 2015
Hi Anna, Chuck just about said it all but I have one more thing. Xanax XR has a far better long term use side effect profile than Clonazepam which needs to be taken habitually for full effect.
anna11
12 Oct 2015
Thanks for answering me. I also commented on Chucks comment. Not sure what to do here because pdoc and GP disagree with how I should do this. Uuggh. I guess maybe a gradual switch over is better? I don't know who to believe on this one.
ddknndys
24 Feb 2017
This comment is now almost 2 years late. But I recently encountered a similar "choice" from my psychiatrist. I have always struggled from pretty severe G.A.D that manifests frequently into what I call "small" panic attacks with the occasional full blown, feeling psychotic/thinking you're dying panic attack. These manifests into visible symptoms of neuroses often perceived by colleagues as "Chicken Little". Then I discovered the magic of 1 little green tablet or two and how everything went away when I took clonazepam. I could focus more, my ability to listen improved, and the increase to my quality of life was amazing. I later added Lexapro and have now been on either Lexapro or Zoloft along side 1.5mg/clonazepam for 7 years. My wife recently had our first child and my career has taken off with a start up and it's a lot of pressure.
So I tell my shrink that I'm gonna be honest, it's been 7 years, I don't know how to ask without just asking: can I move from #45 tablets a month to #60. I explained that I now take the entire 1.5mg at night leaving with no prn dose. He agreed and then mentioned 2.5 mg was his limit because he likes to try 3mg Xanax XR along with 1mg Xanax instant release. He said clonazepam is twice as strong because it's equipotent but the longer half life means it's stronger and it has a stronger affinity for benzo receptors. He too agreed that you can and should just switch. He said it was my call and I told him my experience with Xanax before I started seeing him was memory issues and morning grogginess. So I went with the 2mg of Klonopin. All our brains are different!!! Hope things ended well for you!
chuck1957
12 Oct 2015
anna11; Yes they are both used for many of the same things, But if your getting increased depression from the Clonazepam It is well worth the try normally Clonazepam stays in your system longer.But because your doctor is switching to the Xanax xr the extended release it well stay in your system longer than the standard Xanax Really sounds like your Doctor knows what he or she is doing I really would not worry about the change also they have been using Xanax Xr much longer for panic attacks.Good luck to you hope this helps solve your problem.
anna11
12 Oct 2015
Thanks for your help with this. My Pdoc disagrees with my GP on this. He says if I'm going to switch that I need to make a gradual change. Like reducing the clonazepam while adding the Xanax in. My GP said she has never had a problem making a direct switch but my pdoc is worried that I will go into withdrawal if I make a direct switch. I really feel like the clonazepam is not a good drug for me.
anna11
17 Nov 2015
Well here is my update. Wondering if I am jumping from the frying pan into the fire . Have reduced Klonopin from about .75 mgs to .5 mgs. Then added .5 mgs of xanax xr. Both taken at night. Not feeling so hot. Headache and kind of nauseas and achy. Anxiety comes in waves. Have a call into doc and have an appt tomorrow. I don't feel as foggy which makes me think that indeed the Klonopin is not for me. Just wondering if a cross taper like this is safe or if it was a better idea to just make a direct switch to Xanax XR. I've had two pharmacists tell me it's safe to make a direct switch and two have told me it's better to cross taper . I'm scared and confused about this. Also starting to wonder if the XR will be harder to taper in the long run. I know I'm projecting but when you're anxious it's hard not to. Thanks for any insight. I appreciate it very much
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xanax xr, depression, anxiety, clonazepam
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