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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease

I am 63 years old. I have been taking .5mg of klonopin each night to help me sleep since an accident 4 years ago. Now I have read that long-term usage like mine increases the incidence of alzheimers by 80%. I took an online test asking me to draw a clock face....as part of an alzheimers diagnosis self-test. I blew it, forgetting the 12 all together. Yikes! Should I seek a consult? Is .5mg daily dose sufficient to impact the potential for developing alzheimers?
Mon, 9 Mar 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Klonopin is Clonazepam and the drug belongs to Benzodiazepines group. The drug when taken for long time results in worsening of cognitive impairment. So it is not usually advised for elderly to take the drug on regular basis. If Draw a Clock test failed then I would advise you to visit a psychiatrist for gradual tapering of doses of drug and then go for evaluation for dementia. MMSE or mini mental status examination is a test that can help to find out any cognitive decline and would confirm the diagnosis of dementia. So please quit using the drug as soon as you can and take proper treatment of dementia.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care
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Suggest Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Klonopin is Clonazepam and the drug belongs to Benzodiazepines group. The drug when taken for long time results in worsening of cognitive impairment. So it is not usually advised for elderly to take the drug on regular basis. If Draw a Clock test failed then I would advise you to visit a psychiatrist for gradual tapering of doses of drug and then go for evaluation for dementia. MMSE or mini mental status examination is a test that can help to find out any cognitive decline and would confirm the diagnosis of dementia. So please quit using the drug as soon as you can and take proper treatment of dementia. Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care