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Can Clonazepam Be Taken Instead Of Librium Safely Without Any Side Effects?

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Posted on Tue, 3 May 2016
Question: Sir, I am 49 years old. Please put my question either to Neurologist or Psychiatrist. My HISTORY is AS under.
1.I have been treating by the Psychiatrist.
2. In 1998 i was found suffering from depression and i have been treated with CLONAZEPAM 2 MG AND CLOMIN 25MG TILL TWO TEARS
3. THEN IWAS TREATED WITH CLONAZEPAM 2 MG AND PROTHEIDIN UPTO 150MG.
4.THEN I WAS TREATED WITH CLONAZEPAM 2MG AND MIRTAZEPINE UPTO 30MG TILL 2013.
5.THEN MY DOCTOR CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT I AM SUFFERING FROM BIPOLAR DISORDER AND HE STARTED ME TREATING WITH LITHIUM WHICH SET ME BUT IT AFFECTED MY THYROID TSH , SO HE MADE ME STOPPED LITHIUM AND STARTED REMITEX 8MG MIRTAZEPINE 30MG AND CLONAZEPAM 2MG.
6.THIS DOSE CONTINUED UP TO MARCH 2014 THEN IT STOPPED ITS EFFECTS ON ME SO MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED ME GABAPIN 600MG CLONAZEPM 2MG AND QUETIPIN 200 MG SR WITH NITRAZEPAM 10MG UPTO JANUARY 2016. THEN HE RECENTLY PUTS ME ON 1200 MG GABAPIN QUETIPIN 200MG NITRAZEPAM 10MG BUT IT COULD NOT GAVE ME 6 TO 7 HOURS SLEEP. 2 TO 3 HOURS ONLY.
7. ULTIMATELY MY DOCTOR PRESCRIBED DECORATE 500 MG ER TWICE A DAY 200 MG QUETIPINE (PLAIN) AND 50 MG LIBRIUM AT NIGHT.NOW THI DOSE IS OK FOR ME. NOW SIR MY QUERIES ARE
A. QUETIPINE CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN AND NO SEXUAL DISCHARGE. WHY AND WHAT SHOULD I DO?
B. LIBRIUM 50 MG IS HIGH DOSE , WHAT SHOULD I DO TO REDUCE IT?
C.I HAD BEEN TAKING CLONAZEPAM 2 MG SINCE 1998 SO HAVE I BEEN TOLERANT TO IT? CAN I TAKE CLONAZEPAM 2 MG IN PLACE OF LIBRIUM 50 MG?
I WANT THIS REPLY FROM YOUR EXPERT.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Dose adjustments are needed

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic

I can understand your concern. Quetiapine is known to increase prolactin secretion and thus might cause reduced libido, delayed ejaculation, poor erection etc side effects. Newer antipsychotic drugs like Aripiprazole or Blonanserine etc are relatively safer in this and can be taken. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for addition of either of these drugs in place of Quetiapine.

Clonazepam and Librium both are benzodiazepines but different in pharmacokinetics. Equivalent dose of 0.5 mg Clonazepam are about 50 mg of Librium. So starting 2 mg of Clonazepam in place of 50 mg Librium is not a good idea. If your problems are persisting then consult your doctor for dose adjustments.

Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (42 minutes later)
SO SIR WHAT UARE SRECOMONDED? MY DISCHARGE PROBLEM SOLVED AS I STARTED TO TAKE QUETIPINE. MAY SART CLONAZEPAM OR CONTINUE LIBRIUM 50MG? I WANT TO STOP QUETIPINE AS IT CAUSES WEIGHT GAIN.


I STARTED TAKING QUETIPINE 100 MG AND MY PROBLEM OF DISCHARGE SOLVED.
PLEASE REPLY SIR.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Librium is better to continue

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up

If no problems of discharge with Quetiapine then continue with Quetiapine only.

Librium is better and you should continue with this drug only. Wait for some time you will become adjusted to its doses.

Thanks
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Can Clonazepam Be Taken Instead Of Librium Safely Without Any Side Effects?

Brief Answer: Dose adjustments are needed Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Health Care Magic I can understand your concern. Quetiapine is known to increase prolactin secretion and thus might cause reduced libido, delayed ejaculation, poor erection etc side effects. Newer antipsychotic drugs like Aripiprazole or Blonanserine etc are relatively safer in this and can be taken. You can discuss with your psychiatrist for addition of either of these drugs in place of Quetiapine. Clonazepam and Librium both are benzodiazepines but different in pharmacokinetics. Equivalent dose of 0.5 mg Clonazepam are about 50 mg of Librium. So starting 2 mg of Clonazepam in place of 50 mg Librium is not a good idea. If your problems are persisting then consult your doctor for dose adjustments. Thanks, Hope this helps you, if you have more doubts you can ask again