Tegretol Start-up and Benzos

[cache-monkey]

Hey all,

So, I'm on Klonopin (a little Lithium) and just started Tegretol. I know that theoretically the Tegretol should increase the clearance of Klonopin (through the CYP-3A4 enzyme). Which implies raising the dose of K to get the same oomph. But, Tegretol itself can increase GABA and is sometimes prescribed for benzo withdrawal. I think I've heard of people actually lowering their benzos after going on Tegretol, but I'd like to solicit any experiences.

So, for any people who've started Teg wile on a (non-Ativan) benzo for anxiety: Did you end up adjusting your benzo dose? Up, down?

Thanks,

cache-monkey

[cache-monkey]

i completely quit klonopin while on Equetro. had no problems quitting. i was on, and still can take, 1.5 mg daily prn but haven't in a long time. at the same time, though, i learned some techniques in therapy to help with anxiety so i think that was also part of the reason i was able to quit klonopin.

Thanks for the response! I'm not sure what "1.5 mg daily prn" means, though... No set schedule, but 1.5 mg at some point every day? Or 1.5 most days?

Also, had you attempted to taper/quite the K before going on Equetro? If so, with what sort of results?

(I take mine regularly at intervals over the day and tapering down from 1.25 to 0.75 grew pretty excruciating over the last quarter milligram... I guess I started this thread with the memory of that aggitation and physical pain in the back of my mind and just don't want to go through that again.)

Thanks again,

cache-monkey

[freesoul]

I also quit benzon (clonazepam) after stabilizig on Tegretol. You shouldn't need them, really. And they add to the "drunk" feeling in my case, so I just didnt want them anymore.

[Velvet Elvis]

I needed benzos maybe a few times a month while I was on it. It did help a lot with anxiety.

I'd wait until your mood stabilizer dose is settled before changing the benzo dose around just to be more scientific.

[cache-monkey]

Thanks for the replies! Just to clarify, I'm not concerned with tapering the Klonopin at the point. Rather the opposite. It was just so murderous when I tried tapering the K in the past.

So, I'd rather not have the Tegretol enzyme induction lead to a withdrawal reaction on a steady dose of Klonopin. I've been toying with the idea of preemptively raise the dose of K to avoid that. (My pdoc gave me no guidance...)

I guess, as VE says, it's probably better to be scientific, but I have a conference overseas in a couple of weeks and don't want to be freaking out.

(Yeah, the timing of starting Tegretol sucks here, but this is really the only section of my summer that allows me to be out of it for a couple weeks if need be.)

Anyways, thanks again.