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Taking Clonopin, Aspirin Since Months. How Can I Taper The Dosage?
Question: I have been taking Clonopin 0.5mg with an asprin (by my doc's direction) three times a day.
I've been doing that for a little XXXXXXX than a month. Is this a bad Rx by my Doc ?
How do I stop taking it (all immediately or slowly) ?
I've been doing that for a little XXXXXXX than a month. Is this a bad Rx by my Doc ?
How do I stop taking it (all immediately or slowly) ?
Dear XXXXXX,
Thanks for your health concerns. It is good that you raised the question about how to discontinue the clonopin. This is a medication that needs to be discontinued in a gradual fashion, directed by your prescribing provider, called a taper. This means that the dose is gradually decreased with a change every 3-7 days until you are able to come off completely without withdrawal.
As for the aspirin, if your cardiovascular risk is at least moderate (which it likely is due to age) then it may be a reasonable preventive medication.
Hope this helps wish you the best blessings.
Dr Brenes Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Thanks for your health concerns. It is good that you raised the question about how to discontinue the clonopin. This is a medication that needs to be discontinued in a gradual fashion, directed by your prescribing provider, called a taper. This means that the dose is gradually decreased with a change every 3-7 days until you are able to come off completely without withdrawal.
As for the aspirin, if your cardiovascular risk is at least moderate (which it likely is due to age) then it may be a reasonable preventive medication.
Hope this helps wish you the best blessings.
Dr Brenes Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thanks for your response, but I may not have been as clear in my question as I should have been.
What was the prescribing Doc's reasoning to have prescribed Clonopin in the first place when my complaint had to do with difficulty in defecating. And as important,
when I have repeatedly complained of the neurologic diagnosis (and history) which had been given (and which made sense to me).
The Clonopin was prescribed along with Docusate Sodium (a stool softener!) What did Clonopin have to do with that ? Was the Rx proper ?
I did not mention that I have been very depressed since starting this combined Rx in response to a full explanation which included the neuro stuff.
Was this Rx proper in the first place !
What was the prescribing Doc's reasoning to have prescribed Clonopin in the first place when my complaint had to do with difficulty in defecating. And as important,
when I have repeatedly complained of the neurologic diagnosis (and history) which had been given (and which made sense to me).
The Clonopin was prescribed along with Docusate Sodium (a stool softener!) What did Clonopin have to do with that ? Was the Rx proper ?
I did not mention that I have been very depressed since starting this combined Rx in response to a full explanation which included the neuro stuff.
Was this Rx proper in the first place !
I understand now. clonipin is also a muscle relaxant but I have never seen it prescribed for defecation issues. There are a series of very effective and safe laxatives including miralax, senna, dulcolax, colace, all which could be used even in combination for severe constipation. So, I agree I do not see a clear indication for clonazepam here, particularly at your age it is a medication that I would only prescribe if strictly needed (increases fall risk, memory problems, mood changes).
Hope this is more helpful.
Dr brenes
Hope this is more helpful.
Dr brenes
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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