Hello everyone,

I've been on Clonazepam for about 2 months, .5mg 3 times a day. I'm finding that my muscles are seemingly getting weaker. I read this could be a side effect. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks!

Hi..........I've been taking Clonazepam or Klonopin at the same dose for close to 15 years now. I have never had any bad effects from it. It actually is the only thing that has really been helpful to me. I wonder, I see you are listed as a junior member.......how old are you? I know that antidepressents can sometimes have adverse effects on the young ie. teens. I don't know if this holds true for tranquilizers which is what you are currently taking. I find myself wondering............are you feeling anxious about taking the drug? Did you read the list of possible side effects and suddenly develop this. I am asking you because I used to do this everytime I was prescribed a new medication. And sure as could be I would develop one of them. It was finally pointed out to me that perhaps it would be better to avoid reading the list until I had been taking the drug for a bit.......in other words, don't consult unless something really does not feel right.

I think you may really just be mistaking the relaxation for something being wrong. You may be so used to feeling all tensed up that the loss of tension may be wrongly construed as muscle weakness. I would stop and consider that. But I would also urge you to talk to the doctor who prescribed it if you really feel that something is wrong. Hope this is helpful to you.

I had this when I took it on a regular basis. You should talk to your doctor about this side effect. I actually came off of klonopin for a few months so that I could go back on it as an as needed basis. I still get it sometimes.

Thanks for the replies Kissandra and J2006.

I'm 34yo. Actually, I developed this muscle weakness and NOW I'm looking for a reason why. :confused:

J2006...can you describe your muscle weakness? I have energy so I don't feel tired, but when I use any of my muscles, then they get real weak quickly. Like if I try to hold a grocery bag "arms out" for more then a few seconds I start to feel fatigued.

Thanks

Yes, i guess fatigue is a better word. You need to tell your doctor about this. He may have you take some tests or put you on another medication.

Mine was like yours - I used to be able to work out for an hour and i would walk up a flight of stairs and my legs would give out. I would hold a file folder in my hand for minute or so and i would have to place it down.

Does that sound like yours?

J2006,

Good, you work out! I have energy, but when I use my muscles for regular, every day things, they start to "burn" and fatigue like the last few reps of a set when using weights. That sound like you?

Also, what did your DR end up putting you on?


Thanks!:)

He put me on Celexa to ween me off of Klonopin. I really liked it. It was a bit sedating for me but i was able to come off of Klonopin and I had no panic or anxiety.

Another one I tried and really liked was Prozac. I had to come off due to another health issue I was having but hopefully will be going back on it in a month or so. that is my drug of choice.

I take up to 4mg per day (I have SEVERE anxiety and have had it for most of my life) and I definitely feel fatigue sometimes. During good times I can go down to 2-3mg. But it all depends what your body is used to and what lets you live a normal life. I find it harder to get out of bed in the morning and I have to push myself a little harder to get my body motivated even when my mind is, but for me, it is a good tradeoff. Even though clonazepam makes me more tired, it gives me excellent anxiety relief and long lasting coverage. I thought Xanax XR was my wonder drug after a decade of looking, but I ended up with a great doc who convinced me that divided doses of Klonopin at a higher dose would probably work better, and I am doing very well with it. Anyhow, I'm always longwinded, but I wouldn't worry about it. If you get good results stick with it, and don't worry about the weakness, try to overcome it. If your results are questionable, it may be time to try something else. It's all about weighing the pluses and minuses. Take care.

I had to write because I have had different results than most everyone. I was taking Celexa 30mg for a few weeks and it worked almost all the way. I started taking Clonzepan(.5mg) or however it's spelled and I felt great. After about a week I realized I was only taking Celexa if I needed it. My anxiety was really horrible and basically kept me a prisoner in my home. The Celexa helped but the Clonzepan made a much bigger difference. I do get tired more often and sometimes have to nap in the middle of the day. I don't get muscle weakness as much as I get muscle soreness. I'll take being sore over having anxiety attacks any day of the week!!