Effexor Xr, Clonazepam, Prazocin And Alcohol...

I'm getting concerned about my husband. He has been put on Effexor XR 75 mg, together with Prazosin, and Clonazepam 1 mg, for depression and anxiet and PTSD. When he feels more anxious he will take another Clonazepam, or a half mg of it. I realize his dosages aren't high on these medications but he is also extremely sensitive to meds, so for him this may well be a lot. Lately he has been drinking, after being completely off the alcohol for quite a few years. He will start drinking wine after work, and will drink 3 or more 16 oz glasses. Then he will take another 1.5 of clonazepam some nights, or else 2 Tylenol PM's and go to sleep. I know the drill about drinking and I try not to nag him but I did tell him this pattern is dangerous, against his doctor's instructions and basically playing russian roulette.

I don't know about these meds and I can't understand WHY they would prescribe a med (Clonazepam) to someone with a history of alcoholism, when the drug's instruction literature specifically says it should not be given to anyone with addiction problems. Effexor also says it has as a side effect, alcohol abuse. In watching my husband, more and more it seems as if he simply cannot control his drinking, and he was NEVER that way, even before when he was actively drinking.

I called his doctor and ratted on him for it, and they phoned him but I do not know if they got him to make and appointment (he won't tell me.) I told him ahead of time that I was going to call, and he didn't like it but I figured, too bad.

What are your opinions of these 3 drugs together, both with and without the addition of alcohol? I am getting real upset at these doctors...

REPLY

REPORT

Well, first, the Prazosin is used to treat high blood pressure, so it is not generally one that ends up being abused.

Its side effects can include: nausea, dizziness, headache and joint/muscle aches.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Prazosin/­

Now, the other two, the antidepressant, Effexor and the Benzodiazepine, Clonazepam are commonly prescribed together.

However, Clonazepam does have a very high potential for abuse and addiction.

The reason they are not recommended to be used with alcohol is because it can significantly aggravate the relevant side effects, this is going to be made even worse by the fact that you said he is sensitive to medications.

It is also not that they cannot be given to someone with addiction problems, it is just that the doctor has to be very careful when prescribing them for such a person and must make sure to keep them cclosely monitored.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Effexor+XR/­

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Clonazepam/­

I do believe that you have really done all you can do to try to help, by informing his doctor of the problem. There is simply not much else that you can do in this situation, though I am very sorry you are going through it.

Have you stayed in contact with his doctor?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

a student has eddicted by epam . first time he started smoking . Now he can not live without the epam . How can I saparete him from the epam ?.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Anyone with an addictive personality should never be prescribed Klonopin (clonazepam or K-pin)! I'm surprised that your husband didn't disclose his previous drinking problem to his doctor. No psychiatrist with an ounce of credibility would prescribe k-pin to an alcoholic. I have been addicted to smoking before, and I was prescribed k-pin for anxiety after my 2nd child was born (PPD). I took .25mg twice per day, and I could tell even then that it would be SO easy to get addicted to it. It's good stuff! I forced myself to stop taking it once my doctor switched me to Effexor XR.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

There is a "craving for alcohol" with Effexor. Clonazepam/aka Klonopin/Rivotrol is a potent Benzo. Because of the long 'lifespan' of klonopin its also used for people with alcohlism. Its about twice the potency of valuim but its onset takes longer and lasts longer

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

All I know is from experience, and that is alcohol and Klonopin is a very dangerous mixture. Not directly fatal or anything like that. But Klonopin can cause personality aberrations while taking it. Klonopin can also increase risk-taking behaviors. Combined with alcohol, even more so. Finally, no one should EVER drive a car while under the influence of alcohol and Klonipin no matter what the amount of alcohol and dosage of Klonopin.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Verwon (# 1)

4 16-0z glasses of wine is in fact 16 45 oz servings. Your husband is feeding depression and physical stress by abusing alcohol, even before you consider the medications. Might want to organize an intervention, since he is arguably killing himself, which affects you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: Verwon (# 1)

4 16-0z glasses of wine is in fact 16 4 oz servings. Your husband is feeding depression and physical stress by abusing alcohol, even before you consider the medications. Might want to organize an intervention, since he is arguably killing himself, which affects you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I do not believe your husband is a drug abuser for seeking help with depression. Drug addiction is a symptom of a larger problem.

Alcohol will potentiate the benzos. I would not worry about the combination because he is still alive so he must be in control of the alcohol and I guess out of control when it comes to depression and medication.

Discolsing alcohol use to your prescriber is the responsible thing to do, but do to the opioid epidemic, they will most likely discontinue his medication abruptly and want him to go to rehab to talk about his feelings.

Effexor does not cause cravings for alcohol. Alcoholism can. There is a difference. Try reading the big book.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My mother is 51 years old Well over 100 pounds over weight She takes about 2mg a day of Clonazepam for her anxiety and p...

1 REPLY

I hope that I can save just even one person from taking clonazepam. The FDA doesn't protect us from these pharmaceut...

39 REPLIES

Hi. I went to get my script filled today and they gave me a different looking Sandoz Clonazepam 0.5mg yellow pill that s...

6 REPLIES

The quality and effectiveness of Sandoz clonazepam 0.5 has changed dramatically. Has anyone notice the difference...pick...

5 REPLIES

Me and my boyfriend decided we were going to do a binge on pills. He took 20 clonazapam 1 mg and 7 hydrocodone 5/500 in ...

5 REPLIES

I need to know what drug I can take for my adhd along with my Clonazepam? I was disapproved for vyvanse 40, but what abo...

2 REPLIES

Can I safely take Clonazepam with Belviq? ## Hi lee, I looked at the UCLA health drug interaction checker and no interac...

1 REPLY

I've been taking these medications for the last 4 years, 2 tablets per day. Lately I've been using 3 tablets per...

1 REPLY

I have taken 3 mg of clonazepam today and I want to know if it's safe for me to take 2-3 fioricet for a massive migr...

1 REPLY

I don't feel well on Clonazepam made by Accord. I don't see it as listed gluten free. However, that doesn't ...

1 REPLY