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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Side Effects Of Clonazepam Dosage?

my husband has been on 1mg alprazolam 4 times a day for over 10 years now,His new doctor has changed him to .5mg clonazepam, 3 times a day. the pharmacist said there shouldn't be a problem when he finishes up his alprazolam and start taking the clonazepam. so far going into his 5th day, he's had most side effects listed, shaking, hot& cold flashes, mind racing,steps high& stumbles, Doctor said to continue taking them and he was ordering an increase to 1mg for the evening pills. He afraid of them and the doctor isn't helping, any suggestions?
posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Twitter Mon, 9 Mar 2015 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 9 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Both Alprazolam and Clonazepam belongs to same group of drugs i.e. Benzodiazepines. If we consider dose equivalence of both drugs then Alprazolam and Clonazepam are equivalent in doses. He was taking 1 mg of Alprazolam 4 times a day (4 mg per day) since long time and then shifted to 0.5 mg of Clonazepam 3 times a day (1.5 mg per day). So he has developed the symptoms because of that dose reduction. Significant dose reduction has resulted in withdrawal symptoms with shakiness, hot-cold flashes, racing mind, restlessness etc. Normally doses should be reduced gradually and about 20% every two weeks to prevent withdrawal. I would advise you to discuss with his doctor again regarding dose adjustments.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care
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What Are The Side Effects Of Clonazepam Dosage?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Both Alprazolam and Clonazepam belongs to same group of drugs i.e. Benzodiazepines. If we consider dose equivalence of both drugs then Alprazolam and Clonazepam are equivalent in doses. He was taking 1 mg of Alprazolam 4 times a day (4 mg per day) since long time and then shifted to 0.5 mg of Clonazepam 3 times a day (1.5 mg per day). So he has developed the symptoms because of that dose reduction. Significant dose reduction has resulted in withdrawal symptoms with shakiness, hot-cold flashes, racing mind, restlessness etc. Normally doses should be reduced gradually and about 20% every two weeks to prevent withdrawal. I would advise you to discuss with his doctor again regarding dose adjustments. Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care