Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I understand your concern and will do my best to help you.
Klonopin (Chlordiazepoxide) is a drug of the Benzodiazepine class. Tolerance, psychological and physical dependence may occur with prolonged use of these, including Klonopin. Since higher doses seem to work better for you now, tolerance seems to be developing. Intake of coffee is not related to this.
The increased anxiety may be reflective of tolerance for your regular dose. Dependency or addiction may also be developing since it does have a significant potential for dependence and abuse.
I would advise that you discuss with your doctor on stopping Klonopin. This should NOT be abruptly stopped on your own. Rebound or withdrawal symptoms may occur following abrupt discontinuation or large decreases in dose.
Other better alternatives, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be started to treat your anxiety disorder. This is a perfectly safe and highly effective mode of treatment. Please discuss the same with your doctor.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Thank you for your detailed answer! I have only been taking the drug for 2-3 weeks, and the 1 - 2MG dose was the more effective than the .5MG dose straight out the gate, so I'm not too sure how much tolerance plays into it yet.
Is there any truth to the saying that just 2 weeks of taking this drug regularly runs the risk of physical dependence? Since I only had 30 pills(.5MG) but used more than one daily to up the dose, I'm going to run out. Although, I see my doctor tommorow. What should I tell him? Thank you again for your time.
I guess I just need a bit of reassurance from a doctor that I'm going to be ok for now and haven't damaged my brain in some irreparable way. I'm considering stopping all sorts of drugs including alcohol and going the CBT route. Thank you!
Hello.
Thank you for the clarification.
If you have found the 1-2 mg dose more effective since the beginning, tolerance seems unlikely. Your dose of 0.5 mg is inadequate for you, so you tend to have those bouts of anxiety despite the pills.
Two to three weeks is a short duration but regular use for this period does have a risk of developing dependence, if continued in the future. However, you do not have to worry about any brain damage, definitely not permanent. Tolerance and dependency are not due to any damage to the brain. They are mere adjustments made by our brains. Discontinuation will result in reversal of these adjustments. And you do not seem to be tolerant or dependent yet.
Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with anterograde amnesia (short-term memory loss) but this occurs with prolonged use for months or years.
You can voice your fears for the same to your doctor and opt for the alternate of CBT instead.
Regards.