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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 10:40:23
Someone please help!
Since taking Klonopin for anxiety in the higher dosage (2 to 3 mgs a day), I have completely lost my libido.
Does anyone know if this is a side effect of Klonopin?
And also, does it improve in time (how many weeks)?I hope someone can answer these questions.
Take care,
Maria
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 11:10:26
In reply to Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 10:40:23
> Someone please help!
>
> Since taking Klonopin for anxiety in the higher dosage (2 to 3 mgs a day), I have completely lost my libido.
>
> Does anyone know if this is a side effect of Klonopin?
> And also, does it improve in time (how many weeks)?
>
> I hope someone can answer these questions.
> Take care,
> Mariayes
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 11:13:14
In reply to Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 10:40:23
> Someone please help!
>
> Since taking Klonopin for anxiety in the higher dosage (2 to 3 mgs a day), I have completely lost my libido.
>
> Does anyone know if this is a side effect of Klonopin?
> And also, does it improve in time (how many weeks)?
>
> I hope someone can answer these questions.
> Take care,
> MariaYes..When I take 1.5 to 2 I have no libido. If I stop cold turkey libido goes through the roof along with anxiety. So in my case stopping or lowering the dose brings libido back quickly.
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 11:58:28
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 11:13:14
If valium and xanax doesn't lower it is there a scientific reason why klonopin would? If there is I sincerely would like to know. As I know a lot of people who take it and it doesn't they have spoken about their private lives to me. Love Phillipa
Posted by mav27 on May 11, 2008, at 14:29:17
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 11:58:28
> If valium and xanax doesn't lower it is there a scientific reason why klonopin would? If there is I sincerely would like to know. As I know a lot of people who take it and it doesn't they have spoken about their private lives to me. Love Phillipa
Well Klonopon has an effect on serotonin which the other benzo's don't.. so that's a possible cause as other drugs such as AD's that effect seratonin can certainly caused labido problems.
Posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:33:13
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido? » Phillipa, posted by mav27 on May 11, 2008, at 14:29:17
Hi guys & gurls,
Thanks for your answers so far.
But does anyone know if lowered libido is a temporary side effect? If it passes after a few weeks, it might be worth sticking to the Klonopin...Take care,
Maria> > If valium and xanax doesn't lower it is there a scientific reason why klonopin would? If there is I sincerely would like to know. As I know a lot of people who take it and it doesn't they have spoken about their private lives to me. Love Phillipa
>
> Well Klonopon has an effect on serotonin which the other benzo's don't.. so that's a possible cause as other drugs such as AD's that effect seratonin can certainly caused labido problems.
>
Posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:35:15
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 11:58:28
Hi Philipa,
Thanks for your answer.
Would you happen to know how long these people have been taken Klonopin? I'm hoping the decrease in libido is only temporary, hence the question.Take care,
Maria
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 14:43:13
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:35:15
> Hi Philipa,
>
> Thanks for your answer.
> Would you happen to know how long these people have been taken Klonopin? I'm hoping the decrease in libido is only temporary, hence the question.
>
> Take care,
> MariaNo it is not temporary. When I hit about 2 milligrams libido is low. So as I said I lower the dose to 1 mg or even stop for a day when I want a higher libido. By the way i've found other benzos have libido lowering effects at higher doses.
Posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:55:53
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 14:43:13
Hi Bulldog,
That's interesting. So how long did you take Klonopin for to find this out?
The strange thing for me is: taking a very high dose (6 - 8 mg) of Ativan (Lorazepam), leaves my libido okay. Trouble is my body's become immune to Ativan and no longer works properly - hence the switch to Klonopin. Not all benzo's are the same, I think.
Like Valium increases my libido - but leaves me far too sensitive and tearfull. Not a good exchange!
So now I'm a little lost. I don't want a life without libido either!
Take care.
Maria
Posted by bulldog2 on May 11, 2008, at 15:16:56
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido? » bulldog2, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:55:53
> Hi Bulldog,
>
> That's interesting. So how long did you take Klonopin for to find this out?
>
> The strange thing for me is: taking a very high dose (6 - 8 mg) of Ativan (Lorazepam), leaves my libido okay. Trouble is my body's become immune to Ativan and no longer works properly - hence the switch to Klonopin. Not all benzo's are the same, I think.
>
> Like Valium increases my libido - but leaves me far too sensitive and tearfull. Not a good exchange!
>
> So now I'm a little lost. I don't want a life without libido either!
>
> Take care.
> MariaI noticed this effect at about 2 milligrams several yeas ago. Than I tried days of lowering the dose or sometimes eliminating it and my libido not only came roaring back but also became manic (good mania). But be careful though because anxiety and blood pressure can also come roaring back.
Posted by undopaminergic on May 11, 2008, at 15:24:45
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido? » bulldog2, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 14:55:53
>
> Not all benzo's are the same, I think.
>That is correct. They have various differences, many of which may be of significance, depending on the situation.
>
> So now I'm a little lost. I don't want a life without libido either!
>Why not? Is your boyfriend complaining?
My libido has been low for years, and I prefer it that way as it's little more than a distraction. However, I'm not in a sexual relationship.
Posted by Maria3667 on May 12, 2008, at 4:34:57
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2008, at 11:58:28
Hi Philipa,
Thanks for your answer.
Would you happen to know how long these people have been taken Klonopin? I'm hoping the decrease in libido is only temporary, hence the question.Take care,
Maria
> If valium and xanax doesn't lower it is there a scientific reason why klonopin would? If there is I sincerely would like to know. As I know a lot of people who take it and it doesn't they have spoken about their private lives to me. Love Phillipa
Posted by cumulative on May 12, 2008, at 5:48:27
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin decrease libido? - PHILLIPA » Phillipa, posted by Maria3667 on May 12, 2008, at 4:34:57
No, it is not uncommon.
It may fade with time, but if the side effect bothers you, it is very much in your interest and rights to seek out additional psychopharmacologic aid for this. Either with adjunctive medication (perhaps some of the dopaminergic agonists, like Mirapex), or there are a number of herbs/supplements that are said to help with this. I can leave you to do your own research, but I'll throw out as possibilities, for female libido disturbances: zinc gluconate up to 30mg daily, american ginseng, niacin, L-histidine, etc.
Posted by bulldog2 on May 12, 2008, at 10:33:43
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin decrease libido? - PHILLIPA » Phillipa, posted by Maria3667 on May 12, 2008, at 4:34:57
> Hi Philipa,
>
> Thanks for your answer.
> Would you happen to know how long these people have been taken Klonopin? I'm hoping the decrease in libido is only temporary, hence the question.
>
> Take care,
> Maria
>
>
>
>
> > If valium and xanax doesn't lower it is there a scientific reason why klonopin would? If there is I sincerely would like to know. As I know a lot of people who take it and it doesn't they have spoken about their private lives to me. Love Phillipa
>
>I have taken klonopin for years and the side doesn't go away. I have a feeling it pushes down dopamine. So now and than I reduce the dose to the point where libido comes back.Or as others have suggested maybe a dopamine agonist or a stimulant such as ritalin.
Posted by ncrainbow on May 12, 2008, at 23:48:56
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin decrease libido? - PHILLIPA, posted by bulldog2 on May 12, 2008, at 10:33:43
not sure if this is helpful but...
my understanding is that klonopin has some mood stabilizing properties that other benzos do not. So, it stands to reason that if your former libido was unusually high due to hypomania or mania, it is possible that by levleing you out, the klonopin is taking away some of the hypersexualism that is commonly associated with hypomania. Just a thought....
Jamie
Posted by cactus on May 13, 2008, at 14:54:47
In reply to Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by Maria3667 on May 11, 2008, at 10:40:23
it can for me at times but I find it comes in sporadic cycles that are generally more suppressed than normal, whereas valium increases my libido.
Posted by John Doughboy on May 14, 2008, at 17:39:31
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido? » Phillipa, posted by mav27 on May 11, 2008, at 14:29:17
Yeah, Klonopin and other benzos can definitely have negative effects on libido. It tends to be general disinterest in sex; more a mental thing than the physical side effects that the antidepressants can cause. (You might have less interest in sex, but it shouldn't really decrease genital sensitivity or anything of that nature.)
Posted by John Doughboy on May 14, 2008, at 17:50:41
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by John Doughboy on May 14, 2008, at 17:39:31
> Yeah, Klonopin and other benzos can definitely have negative effects on libido. It tends to be general disinterest in sex; more a mental thing than the physical side effects that the antidepressants can cause. (You might have less interest in sex, but it shouldn't really decrease genital sensitivity or anything of that nature.)
If you were male, I would tell you to add one of the Viagra type drugs, but considering your name is Maria, I'm guessing you're female, so that probably wouldn't work.
As someone else already said, the dopamine effecting drugs would probably help. One of the amphetamines (Adderall) or methylphenidate (Ritalin)would help in the short term. However, they will probably increase anxiety. Wellbutrin would be very useful as well. That might also cause anxiety, but not as much as the stimulants,and it might go away after a week or two.
Posted by Maria3667 on May 15, 2008, at 10:35:02
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido? » Maria3667, posted by cactus on May 13, 2008, at 14:54:47
Hi Cactus,
Yes very interesting!
I've noticed the increase in libido on Valium too... This effect only comes into place for me after about a week or so.
Because of the dampening effects of Klonopin, my Dr. has now switched me to Valium. I'm anticipating the increase in libido. At least something to look forward too. Yippee yay hooray!BTW: are you male or female?
> it can for me at times but I find it comes in sporadic cycles that are generally more suppressed than normal, whereas valium increases my libido.
Posted by cactus on May 15, 2008, at 17:35:01
In reply to Re: Can Valium cause an increase in libido? » cactus, posted by Maria3667 on May 15, 2008, at 10:35:02
> Hi Cactus,
>
> Yes very interesting!
>
> I've noticed the increase in libido on Valium too... This effect only comes into place for me after about a week or so.
> Because of the dampening effects of Klonopin, my Dr. has now switched me to Valium. I'm anticipating the increase in libido. At least something to look forward too. Yippee yay hooray!
>
> BTW: are you male or female?
>
> > it can for me at times but I find it comes in sporadic cycles that are generally more suppressed than normal, whereas valium increases my libido.
>
>I'm male and it's good to see I'm not the only one, I'd like to switch back to valium someday but for now I'm staying on clonazepam. It covers me for numerous aliments and I'm sticking with it but lowering my dose.
Posted by undopaminergic on May 15, 2008, at 20:49:48
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by John Doughboy on May 14, 2008, at 17:50:41
>
> If you were male, I would tell you to add one of the Viagra type drugs, but considering your name is Maria, I'm guessing you're female, so that probably wouldn't work.
>
> As someone else already said, the dopamine effecting drugs would probably help. One of the amphetamines (Adderall) or methylphenidate (Ritalin)would help in the short term. However, they will probably increase anxiety. Wellbutrin would be very useful as well. That might also cause anxiety, but not as much as the stimulants,and it might go away after a week or two.
>Stimulants reduce anxiety for some of us - individual sensitivities vary.
A few other "pro-sexual" options that no-one seems to have mentioned may be yohimbine and mirtazapine (Remeron), as well as hormones such as DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and testosterone. All of them are, of course, associated with risks of adverse effects.
Posted by Phillipa on May 15, 2008, at 20:58:13
In reply to Re: Can Klonopin cause a decrease in libido?, posted by undopaminergic on May 15, 2008, at 20:49:48
I had a pdoc once who gave viagra to women too. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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