Q: I have been under a lot of personal stress lately and have become very anxious. I had been on Kloniin for anxiety for some time but it didn’t seem to be as effective as it once was so, my doctor switched me to Vistoril. Well, this medication makes me tired but it sure doesn’t help me manage my stress level. Can you give me some direction? Did I make a mistake by changing medication and expecting I would be in better control?
A: Let’s take things one step at a time and determine if we can make any sense of things. Klonopin (clonazepam) is in a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It is prescribed to treat seizures, purposes related to panic attacks such as anxiety, and for other unrelated purposes as determined by a health care professional. Caution should be taken if you suffer from asthma, emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), kidney or liver disease, if there is a history of depression, or because of an addiction to alcohol. You don’t state your age, but it should not be taken if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. There can be respiratory depression caused by this medication at the time of delivery. The reason not to take it if you were to become pregnant is that there is evidence of human fetal risk. Having said this, if you are pregnant, you should not discontinue the drug without first speaking with your physician or gynecologist. The use of alcohol may increase some of the potential side effects in some people. It may also have a bearing on your thinking or reactions. Side effects of the drug may include hallucinations, confusion, heart palpitations/chest fluttering or a pounding heartbeat, seizures, and more.
A common guideline is that you not take the drug for longer than nine weeks without the prescribing physician’s approval. And, the prescriber may choose to modify the dosage to be assured you are getting the best results from the drug.
With this in mind, he or she may have chosen to consider the Vistaril which also treats anxiety and tension. This drug is a first generation antihistamine. And, while an effective sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic, it is free of the potential for dependence, addiction and toxicity of other drugs used for similar therapeutic purposes. Again, the drug should not be taken in the first trimester of pregnancy. You should advise your physician of any history of asthma, emphysema, breathing problems, heart disease, or hypertension. Be sure to tell him or her if you take any sedatives, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or anti-depressants, as excessive sleepiness may result.
My recommendation is that you speak with your prescribing physician regarding giving another medication a try, perhaps Lexapro, which is in a different class of drugs. Consider adding counseling to the mix. You may be able to reduce or completely diminish the drug if you have a therapist you can open up to that can get you through your difficult times. Ask your doctor for a referral. Don’t let stress control your life. Reduce your caffeine intake if appropriate, try breathing exercises, keep a positive attitude, manage your time wisely, avoid situations that cause anger, don’t rely on alcohol or a smoking habit to solve your problems and most of all spend time with people you feel most comfortable with. Your overall health will thank you for it. Good luck.
