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Is Clonazepam Safe To Be Taken While Driving?
Question: Hello,
My wife has been taking Clonezepam for 15 years (and has driven over 100k miles) and last week when she went through a public safety check point she was arrested for DUI because she could not stand on one leg for longer than 7 seconds and the state trooper said she was slurring her words. The breath test showed 0.00 for alcohol but she admitted to taking her 1 mg tablet every day. I was searching for info to support her right to drive while taking this drug. Any thoughts?? Thank You
My wife has been taking Clonezepam for 15 years (and has driven over 100k miles) and last week when she went through a public safety check point she was arrested for DUI because she could not stand on one leg for longer than 7 seconds and the state trooper said she was slurring her words. The breath test showed 0.00 for alcohol but she admitted to taking her 1 mg tablet every day. I was searching for info to support her right to drive while taking this drug. Any thoughts?? Thank You
Brief Answer:
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
There is no specific law against taking clonazepam while driving, but it is true that clonazepam can cause significant impairment when used in people over the age of 50 or when it is taken at high doses. It appears either the medication is having significant negative side effects at this time, or that your wife is using more than she should. If she could not stand and was slurring words, I suspect your wife may be using more than she should, perhaps misusing it, though of course that is just speculation based on what I know about how clonzepam doses typically affect people. I would suggest she work with her doctor to wean off this drug carefully with the goal of being off completely.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
Consultation
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.
There is no specific law against taking clonazepam while driving, but it is true that clonazepam can cause significant impairment when used in people over the age of 50 or when it is taken at high doses. It appears either the medication is having significant negative side effects at this time, or that your wife is using more than she should. If she could not stand and was slurring words, I suspect your wife may be using more than she should, perhaps misusing it, though of course that is just speculation based on what I know about how clonzepam doses typically affect people. I would suggest she work with her doctor to wean off this drug carefully with the goal of being off completely.
Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.
In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers
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