![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
Hi, I am currently taking 0.5mg of Klonopin 3x /day. I'm wondering of the experiences other people here have had with this medication and alcohol. I occassionally like to drink but I am worried about the complications of the mix from what I've heard.. Can someone share their experiences of this? How much alcohol is too much? How much is ok? Appreciate it.
Nino~
Posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on December 13, 2002, at 21:06:01
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
> Hi, I am currently taking 0.5mg of Klonopin 3x /day. I'm wondering of the experiences other people here have had with this medication and alcohol. I occassionally like to drink but I am worried about the complications of the mix from what I've heard.. Can someone share their experiences of this? How much alcohol is too much? How much is ok? Appreciate it.
>
> Nino~Nino, combining benzos like klonopin with booze is a major no no. Just say no, dont do it. Others might, but they are wrong. Booze just doesnt mix with klonopin. Its too depressing and youre taking two controlled substances at the same time.
BTW, psychiatry meds in general just dont go well with booze at all. Booze is the worst thing for both depression AND anxiety. You will worsen your anxiety by drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol.
Instead of boozing, do aerobic exercise instead.
Howdy Doody
Posted by Bobbiedobbs on December 13, 2002, at 21:45:53
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
I'm also taking Klonopin and have a drink every now and then. I disagree with the other poster. I think you can drink in moderation - as does the doctor who prescribes my meds. The medication does enhance the effect of the alcohol. Also everyone is different. I'd try one drink at home, see how you react, then go from there. Err on the conservative side but no need to be a teetotaller. The drug companies tell you no alcohol for every drug in the U.S. practically.
Posted by bluedog on December 13, 2002, at 22:31:48
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
> Hi, I am currently taking 0.5mg of Klonopin 3x /day. I'm wondering of the experiences other people here have had with this medication and alcohol. I occassionally like to drink but I am worried about the complications of the mix from what I've heard.. Can someone share their experiences of this? How much alcohol is too much? How much is ok? Appreciate it.
>
Hi NinoWith the "festive" season fast approaching I actually had an appointment with my psychiatrist yesterday and I discussed this very same issue with him. I'm not on Klonopin but I'm on 5mg of Diazepam 3x per day.
My Pdoc basically said that the drug information pamphlets distributed with the benzo's err on the side of caution for reasons of legal liability only.
My psychiatrist advised that it is perfectly OK and completely safe to have a COUPLE of drinks while you are on benzo therapy as long as you DO limit the intake to JUST a a drink or two. Benzo's and alcohol are 2 substances that can enhance the effect of eachother so you may feel more drowsy mixing the two rather than if you were to take only alcohol or Klonopin on it's own.
My psychiatrist did advise that if you do have a drink while taking benzo's to make sure that you definitely don't have to drive soon afterwards until you are certain as to how the combinatin affects your reactions, alertness and coordination (that even includes after you have had just one drink).
The guidelines recommended by my psychiatrist for mixing Benzo's and Alcohol are as follows:-
1. It's OK to have a drink or two while taking benzo's
2. Limit the alcohol intake to just one or two drinks
3. DO NOT drive after you have mixed a benzo with alcohol.
4. If you do have a couple of drinks whilst on benzo therapy do NOT do this on consecutive days (especially if you have a tendency towards depression). In other words always have at LEAST one alcohol free day and preferably two or three alcohol free days between drinks.
5. If you know beforehand that you are going to a function where you will probably have a couple of drinks it would be a good idea to actually skip your afternoon and bedtime dose of Klonopin (or Diazepam in my case) for that day and then recommence your usual dosing regime the next day. Because Klonopin and Diazepam are long acting Benzo's your morning dose will still be acting in your system for the rest of the day anyway and you should not experience any problems by skipping your afternoon and bedtime dose on the odd occasion.
6. If you follow the above guidelines you should not experience any problems. However if you DO experience problems even after following all these guidelines THEN you should completely avoid alcohol. Just listen to your body!!!!
I hope this helps a little
best wishes
bluedog
Posted by viridis on December 14, 2002, at 1:13:05
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
The "listen to your body" advice is sound. Benzos and alcohol certainly have the potential for synergistic interaction, but I've never had any problem with a moderate amount of alcohol here and there while taking Klonopin. I take 1 mg K in the AM and never drink alcohol except in the evening, so there's a long gap between benzo dosing and any alcohol consumption -- I certainly wouldn't take the two together. Another consideration is that K has a long half-life (= stays in your system a long time), and the extent of this varies among individuals.
I'd just be very cautious, especially if you have to drive -- in fact, I wouldn't drive at all if you've taken both unless you're absolutely sure you're OK. But then, even without any benzos in your system, obviously you should be very careful about drinking and driving.
Posted by Squiggles on December 14, 2002, at 7:59:07
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
Hi Nino~
I take 1.50mg clonazepam each day. My
personal experience has been that alcohol
potentiates the drug, and the next morning
i feel as if i have had a lot to drink with
a hangover. You will notice in the monographs
on Klonopin that it is not recommended that you
drink with this drug; it is also posted on
the prescription bottle (at least in Canada);
On special occasions I may have a beer or a
glass of wine; if spread apart enough -- say
once a month, i can tolerate that.As you probably know, benzos in themselves
do not necessarily kill you in O.D. attempts,
but benzos with alcohol do.So moderation is the key;
Squiggles
Posted by Nino on December 15, 2002, at 14:53:47
In reply to Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 13, 2002, at 20:54:58
Hey guys,
Thanks for the responses. I found them very helpful. I will try a beer in a bit after I adjust to the medication better and skip the afternoon/night dose the night I decide to try it. The holidays are coming up and I'd like to be able to have a glass of wine every now and then. I agree that moderation and listening to your body is the key, and I understand the caution that must be taken when mixing alcohol with clonazepam. I tolerate alcohol very well so a small amount of it from time to time should be safe for me. Thanks again for the advice.
Nino~
Posted by comftnumb on December 16, 2002, at 23:17:00
In reply to Re: Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by Nino on December 15, 2002, at 14:53:47
Took 2mg Klonopin around noon on Thanksgiving. Had 3 shots of whiskey followed by a beer between 7-8pm, before and during dinner. Was a little buzzed, as would be expected from 4 drinks in an hour. Klonopin and alcohol did not seem to interact. Note: Klonopin has an extremely long half-life (30-50hours) and is the most potent benzodiazepine currently prescribable in the US. I'm not encouraging anyone to drink here, actually I think it varies from person to person and even situation from situation. I was careful when i was drinking, had 2 shots first then saw how i felt after 30min before drinking more...
Posted by Nino on December 17, 2002, at 0:02:46
In reply to Re: Klonopin and alcohol?, posted by comftnumb on December 16, 2002, at 23:17:00
> Took 2mg Klonopin around noon on Thanksgiving. Had 3 shots of whiskey followed by a beer between 7-8pm, before and during dinner. Was a little buzzed, as would be expected from 4 drinks in an hour. Klonopin and alcohol did not seem to interact. Note: Klonopin has an extremely long half-life (30-50hours) and is the most potent benzodiazepine currently prescribable in the US. I'm not encouraging anyone to drink here, actually I think it varies from person to person and even situation from situation. I was careful when i was drinking, had 2 shots first then saw how i felt after 30min before drinking more...
Hi,
I decided to try a beer to see how I'd react. I felt exactly as I would feel just by having one beer.. which is practically nothing. I barely find Klonopin sedating at all but it does work for my anxiety tremendously. I then later drank 3 more beers in a spaced out period and felt a bit buzzed as I would expect from the alcohol. I noticed no reaction between the medication and alcohol either except having a bit more trouble getting out of bed the next morning, probably due to the fact that I had to wake up earlier than usual that day. I too was careful when drinking.. eating a bit between drinks so the alcohol wouldn't absorb as quickly. Although, I would not try any heavy drinking on this medication nor would I recommend anyone try drinking at all on this med because it is true that everyone's response can be very different. For me I've always had a high tolerance for anything sedative including alcohol, that could be why I felt the way I did. The best advice I can give is trust your body but if unsure stay away from alcohol altogether while taking Klonopin, I've read of a few scary incidents by people taking clonazepam and alcohol.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.