Klonopin/heart damage? - Anxiety Message Board

red-rider · 08-20-2005, 02:06 AM

Hello to all~I find a lot of valuable information here. I dont recall the thread,but a few days ago,I remember seeing a comment that Klonopin damages the heart. Does anyone know this to be accurate/true? My mom took this med for 3 years. I take Ativan,but I also have a whole bottle of Klonopin put away that I never used. I was considering using it when my Ativan ran out. I also read a comment from a poster who said her doctor said that benzo's are the type of med that can be taken with anything. That was music to my ears

In other words they dont cause trouble when taken with most other common prescriptions. But the heart comment was really disturbing to me. Some posters say they have taken Klonopin for 10 years or more. Anyone care to comment on this one?
Thanks RR

Marirose · 08-20-2005, 06:28 AM

HI Red - Rider - I have been taking klonopin since January and have taken it a few times before in my life for short term help with anxiety. I have had it prescribed by two different doctors (one when we were living out of the country and the doc. I currently see), and they both said that klonopin is safe, in low doses, to take for a lifetime. I am very health conscious, and a very healthy person (other than anxiety

so I did ask alot of questions about liver damage, interaction with other meds (I don't take any on a regular basis - more like the occassional tylenol for a headache, antibiotics, etc.), and neither of the docs. ever mentioned anything about possible heart damage. HOWEVER, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR OWN DOC, EVEN BY PHONE, BEFORE YOU START ANY NEW MEDS. I may be obsessive about that, but I don't think advice about meds. is universal - there may be something in anyone's personal health history that makes them more or less susceptible to rare side effects, etc. of meds. I would say that I am 99% sure from what I know about klonopin that you would be ok, but it's always better to call the doc. that prescribed the med if you can or at least a pharmacist and double check. Hope you are feeling better soon! Marirose

Graciecat · 08-20-2005, 06:42 AM

Hi Red-rider,

IMHO, if you have concerns about the Klonopoin having an effect on your heart I'd call a Pharmacy or the Doctor who gave you the medication and talk to them.
I know when I took Xanax everytime I got a refill I also got a print out about the drug.
You could also do some research on your own about Klonopin for instance look up the Physician Desk Reference for Klonopin.
That will tell you all of the side effects even the rare ones and what food or drugs you should avoid while taking it.

Hope that helped, at least a little.