Can I drink alcohol while on 0.5 mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam)?

[MattManNWO]

I am currently taking 0.5 mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam). I have been taking it for the past month. I had also taken 2 mg of Haldol (Haloperidol) for the past month. I have stopped the Haldol three days ago.

I last took the Clonazepam at 8 a.m. this morning. I will not take any medication for the whole night. I'm going to be going out to a bar at 6 p.m. tonight.

I want to have three pints of beer. The three pints of beer will not be drunk in a binge manner ... probably one every 30 minutes ... i may drink a fourth, so it may bring the total to 4 beers in 2 hours.

My psychiatrist told me I can have a drink or two, and I also read online that it's not good to drink while on these medications.

I was wondering if my idea to drink 3 or 4 beers tonight will be OK?

Any prior experience with this medication and drinking is definitely beneficial.

[Tifoso]

I would say no. It'll absolutely knock you on your, well, you know.

[MattManNWO]

What do you mean by that?

I would say no. It'll absolutely knock you on your, well, you know.

[Tifoso]

What do you mean by that?

I mean that it will hammer you. Possibly even 1 drink. In this case (and there are a few instances where a drink or two are OK), and with these meds, my advice is NO.*



*no matter what Linda says

[4bronxbombers]

*no matter what Linda says

You did it again.

[MattManNWO]

hammered meaning drunk or something near or actually fatal?

[JWHIII]

You'll be fine if you drink a few beers, it just may feel like you had a dozen of them.

[Tifoso]

You did it again.

Dammit Vickie, I don't know why I keep doing that. I'm sorry.

[RhodeyYankee2638]

Dont listen to Lou, he is only a pharmacist

[Panamaniac42]

hammered meaning drunk or something near or actually fatal?

I think he means hammered as in hopefully someone tapes a tennis ball to your back so you don't choke on your own vomit.

[4bronxbombers]

Dammit Vickie, I don't know why I keep doing that. I'm sorry.

Carp Lou...you swore!!

[DontHateOnNumber2]

You can drink...I wouldn't recommend it. Just hold off. You'll live.

[4bronxbombers]

I think he means hammered as in hopefully someone tapes a tennis ball to your back so you don't choke on your own vomit.

omg.....that made me laugh out loud

[MattManNWO]

thanks for all the responses ... i may keep it at 2 for now ... but, bump...

[Pepper03]

My psychiatrist told me I can have a drink or two, and I also read online that it's not good to drink while on these medications.

I was wondering if my idea to drink 3 or 4 beers tonight will be OK?

Any prior experience with this medication and drinking is definitely beneficial.

Please don't and if you already have don't do it again.


I was given wonderful advice like that 20 years ago by my psychiatrist and it almost killed me-you also don't sound like you are having a "drink or two"-don't do it.

[Trish]

Why would you take that chance? That's really stupid.

[Big_E]

From http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interac...,4109,,00.html

ALCOHOL may interact with CLONAZEPAM
Although the cause of this potential interaction is not fully understood, intolerable or otherwise undesirable side effects may occur when clonazepam is taken with alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products (such as some cough syrups and elixirs). Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, headache, and nervousness. Because the combination of clonazepam and alcohol (ethanol) may impair your judgment and/or reflexes, it may be dangerous to drive or to perform tasks which require you to be alert after taking these together. It would be advisable to avoid consuming alcohol while you are taking clonazepam. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.


This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity.

Last Updated: December 2003

[Pepper03]

Why would you take that chance? That's really stupid.

This is bringing back very bad memories for me.

Any doctor who would suggest it's OK to drink on meds like this-run fast the other way-I speak from very bitter experience.

[johnnyyankee]

This is bringing back very bad memories for me.

Any doctor who would suggest it's OK to drink on meds like this-run fast the other way-I speak from very bitter experience.

Honestly, I can't believe this question was even asked. I was tempted to give a flippant response, but thought better of it. It's not really a joking matter, especially if someone gets hurt.

[Trish]

Honestly, I can't believe this question was even asked. I was tempted to give a flippant response, but thought better of it. It's not really a joking matter, especially if someone gets hurt.

You all know I tell it like it is by now

[Trish]

This is bringing back very bad memories for me.

Any doctor who would suggest it's OK to drink on meds like this-run fast the other way-I speak from very bitter experience.

I'm sorry Beth. It must have been awful.

[Dr. Gonzo]

of course you can,

we did it all the time for fun, and much larger doses and all sorts of pharmies.

you'll just get extra messed up - sort of like being stoned and drunk

be careful how much you drink, it takes alot less to get you retarded

[thecaptain]

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking Klonopin (clonazepam) . Alcohol may also increase the risk of having a seizure.... after reading this i wouldnt

[4bronxbombers]

My friends takes Klonopin for depression and she drinks. She has passed out a few times that I know of. I wouldn't do it if I were you.

[Archer1979]

George would do it.

Then he'd chase it down with some Percocet.

[penfold]

I'd watch out for any hangover effects. I would think that if you drink enough to get a hangover, it will easily be 2-10 times worse than a "normal" hangover. Best bet is to not binge drink.

If it were me, I'd nurse one drink for the whole night or just stick to soda.

[Jen19]

I wouldn't do it either. It doesn't matter if you took medicine this morning and then wait til tonight to drink. It's still in your system long enough to cause problems. Just drink coke!

[Casey37]

I'm no doctor, but I do know there's something wrong with this picture. Please don't.

[yankeeschic12324]

No...

[jlw1980]

I don't think any of us here, aside from Lou, is qualified to answer this. I'm sure any good doctor would say not to do it.

I have been on Klonopin for about 4-5 years. I take 1.5 mg, q.h.s. I don't drink much, but on the occasions I do, the Klonopin has little to no added effect. Then again, I have a strange resistance to even very strong medications. My doc says some people are just like that; meds that make others high or euphoric have little effect on me. Anyway, I take it at bedtime for my RLS. It works well for that, but not as well for sleep (at least for me). Klonopin affects most people much more strongly than it affects me.

Everyone's body chemistry is different. I think the bottom line is that you need to talk with your doc about it instead of asking on a baseball forum. And be very careful.

[Jen19]

So I'm kinda curious...what did you decide to do last night?

[ritaylnil]

Benzodiazepines (including Klonopin, Xanax, Valium) are waaay over-prescribed and highly addictive. I work in a clinic for people with co-occuring disorders of mental illness and substance addiction. Getting off the benzos is one of the hardest drugs to quit...right up there with heroin. People rationalize that it's okay because it's prescribed. Then, it creeps up and bites a person on the a$$ and before they know it, they have a full-blown dependence on the drug. Benzos are really not designed for long-term use, yet many people get hooked and doctor shop when their own doc won't prescribe it anymore. Be wary of this category of drug!

[#1PaFan]

George would do it.

Then he'd chase it down with some Percocet.

I don't take benzos, man. Yeah, but narcotics are cool with me.

[jlw1980]

Benzodiazepines (including Klonopin, Xanax, Valium) are waaay over-prescribed and highly addictive. I work in a clinic for people with co-occuring disorders of mental illness and substance addiction. Getting off the benzos is one of the hardest drugs to quit...right up there with heroin. People rationalize that it's okay because it's prescribed. Then, it creeps up and bites a person on the a$$ and before they know it, they have a full-blown dependence on the drug. Benzos are really not designed for long-term use, yet many people get hooked and doctor shop when their own doc won't prescribe it anymore. Be wary of this category of drug!

I've taken various benzos (mostly Klonopin) on and off for nearly five years. I've gone a month or two at a time without them on more than one occasion without any problem at all. My RLS symptoms acted up, but I never have had any problems with withdrawals. I've been on Restoril (did nothing for me), Halcion (helped but only used it for a few months), and Klonopin for a long time. I tried Valium at one time and it did nothing for me. Klonopin is one of the long-acting ones that is supposed to be difficult to quit or be weaned off, yet I've never had the withdrawals when I've gone without them. I also only take it on nights I need it, even though it's prescribed for every night. Doc tried to switch me to Xanax, to which I had an allergic reaction (extreme chest/back pain and difficulty breathing). Not everyone gets addicted to them. They can be lifesavers to some people, especially those who suffer from panic attacks. One of my best friends has panic attacks on occasion, and her Ativan is a lifesaver for her when those attacks hit. Klonopin works wonders for RLS.

However, I too work with many people who have mental illnesses, and a HUGE percentage of them have co-occurring disorders. I have seen some of them become addicted to these meds. My only point is that every body is different.

[jlw1980]

I don't take benzos, man. Yeah, but narcotics are cool with me.

[MattManNWO]

Hey. Actually, the event I was going to was postponed 'til Monday. But I'm not going to drink. Thanks a lot for everyone's help.

So I'm kinda curious...what did you decide to do last night?

[ritaylnil]

I've taken various benzos (mostly Klonopin) on and off for nearly five years. I've gone a month or two at a time without them on more than one occasion without any problem at all. My RLS symptoms acted up, but I never have had any problems with withdrawals. I've been on Restoril (did nothing for me), Halcion (helped but only used it for a few months), and Klonopin for a long time. I tried Valium at one time and it did nothing for me. Klonopin is one of the long-acting ones that is supposed to be difficult to quit or be weaned off, yet I've never had the withdrawals when I've gone without them. I also only take it on nights I need it, even though it's prescribed for every night. Doc tried to switch me to Xanax, to which I had an allergic reaction (extreme chest/back pain and difficulty breathing). Not everyone gets addicted to them. They can be lifesavers to some people, especially those who suffer from panic attacks. One of my best friends has panic attacks on occasion, and her Ativan is a lifesaver for her when those attacks hit. Klonopin works wonders for RLS.

However, I too work with many people who have mental illnesses, and a HUGE percentage of them have co-occurring disorders. I have seen some of them become addicted to these meds. My only point is that every body is different.

I didn't say that every single person who takes benzos is doomed to become addicted. Obviously they have their place. I just cautioned people to be wary. After what I've seen in the program in which I work, I'd really have to be desperate to take the chance. I'm glad Klonopin is helping your RLS and hope you have continued success with it.

[Jen19]

Hey. Actually, the event I was going to was postponed 'til Monday. But I'm not going to drink. Thanks a lot for everyone's help.

Cool! Good job. You don't want to take a chance like that.

[Panamaniac42]

If this is the result, absolutely not.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MattManNYY

[RhodeyYankee2638]

If this is the result, absolutely not.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MattManNYY

Greatest find ever?

[YankeeGalSC]

I've taken various benzos (mostly Klonopin) on and off for nearly five years. I've gone a month or two at a time without them on more than one occasion without any problem at all. My RLS symptoms acted up, but I never have had any problems with withdrawals. I've been on Restoril (did nothing for me), Halcion (helped but only used it for a few months), and Klonopin for a long time. I tried Valium at one time and it did nothing for me. Klonopin is one of the long-acting ones that is supposed to be difficult to quit or be weaned off, yet I've never had the withdrawals when I've gone without them. I also only take it on nights I need it, even though it's prescribed for every night. Doc tried to switch me to Xanax, to which I had an allergic reaction (extreme chest/back pain and difficulty breathing). Not everyone gets addicted to them. They can be lifesavers to some people, especially those who suffer from panic attacks. One of my best friends has panic attacks on occasion, and her Ativan is a lifesaver for her when those attacks hit. Klonopin works wonders for RLS.

However, I too work with many people who have mental illnesses, and a HUGE percentage of them have co-occurring disorders. I have seen some of them become addicted to these meds. My only point is that every body is different.

I also work at a (community) mental health clinic and while most of the folks on benzos need them there are a percentage that do abuse them or say another drug (prescribed in place of the benzo) isn't working in order to get them. We got "fired" by a client a couple weeks ago b/c she was told it was too early for her to get her Klonopin. She got mad and said she was going somewhere else.

[apolansk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7zo9TvP19I

Oh. My. God.

[yankeeschic12324]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7zo9TvP19I

Oh. My. God.

[Dr. Gonzo]

of course you can, people drink more just for fun.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7zo9TvP19I

Oh. My. God.

My life is set.

[Nome]

I am currently taking 0.5 mg of Klonopin (Clonazepam). I have been taking it for the past month. I had also taken 2 mg of Haldol (Haloperidol) for the past month. I have stopped the Haldol three days ago.

I last took the Clonazepam at 8 a.m. this morning. I will not take any medication for the whole night. I'm going to be going out to a bar at 6 p.m. tonight.

I want to have three pints of beer. The three pints of beer will not be drunk in a binge manner ... probably one every 30 minutes ... i may drink a fourth, so it may bring the total to 4 beers in 2 hours.

My psychiatrist told me I can have a drink or two, and I also read online that it's not good to drink while on these medications.

I was wondering if my idea to drink 3 or 4 beers tonight will be OK?

Any prior experience with this medication and drinking is definitely beneficial.

I am sure you are kidding? Aren't you? First four pints of beer isn't four drinks it's 8. A pint of course is 16 ox; and 4 pints is a half gallon (64 oz). Your doctor said you could have a drink or two (a dubious suggestion at best) not 8.

At the very least, by the end of the four beers you will be over the blood alcohol content and qualify for a DUI. I hope you aren't driving. You probably will get sick as a dog esp since you haven't been drinking regularly for a while.
Best advice, drink tonic water and pretend it's gin and tonic
Andy

[jlw1980]

I am sure you are kidding? Aren't you? First four pints of beer isn't four drinks it's 8. A pint of course is 16 ox; and 4 pints is a half gallon (64 oz). Your doctor said you could have a drink or two (a dubious suggestion at best) not 8.

At the very least, by the end of the four beers you will be over the blood alcohol content and qualify for a DUI. I hope you aren't driving. You probably will get sick as a dog esp since you haven't been drinking regularly for a while.
Best advice, drink tonic water and pretend it's gin and tonic
Andy

This thread was started over a year ago.

[jlw1980]

If this is the result, absolutely not.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MattManNYY

wowsers

[Sam18]

This thread was started over a year ago.

One shall stand. One shall fall.

[jlw1980]

One shall stand. One shall fall.

STFU man