Can Clonazepam Be Taken For Sleeplessness?

Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 7 Mar 2015 Answered on

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Good morning Doctor, my question is I have been taking clonazepam for about two weeks 0.5mg from stress because of clog ear and mono I'm 59 years old my doctors XXXXXXX by April I should be ok , so during my sickness I notice my wife not sleeping maybe 4 hours a night after 31 years a never knew but now I do , we our in XXXXXXX right now on vacation to higher up and dry air to try to open my ear, will be here two more weeks the question is can I give my wife one of the clonazepam .05 mg for sleep until we get back home .. Thank u

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please, do not give her your medication!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I understand your caring attitude towards your wife. However, it would be more dangerous giving her a drug that is not recommended by the physician. Also, being a controlled drug, she may have more difficulties obtaining medications in future if her doctors find out. It may also be dangerous and not the exact medication that would be recommended to her.

My recommendation would be that she try non drug measures. she should avoid sleeping during the day, avoid fruits and juice close to bedtime, turn off all distraction during sleep time, No coffee or caffeine and also avoid soft caffeinated drinks. These would help and also permit her to gain time before seeing her physician as you guys get back.

I hope this helps. I wish her well. Thanks for using our services and feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar