CLONAZEPAM

[username33]

I am learning benzo and wondering how long will the effect of Clonazepam 1 mg last? If it was taking at noon will you still be drowsy next morning?

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

Depends vastly on the health of the patient. But no med should leave you drowsy 18 hours later if dosed appropriately.

[LoveMyBugs, BSN, CNA, RN]

Did you pull out your med book and look at the rate of absorption, half life, how it is metabolized?

But generally no the med should not be making the patient drowsy the next day, what other medications are involved

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I am learning benzo and wondering how long will the effect of Clonazepam 1 mg last? If it was taking at noon will you still be drowsy next morning?

Since you are posting this question in the LTC forum, I am going to assume that the patient or resident is elderly. Since many elderly patients have lost nephrons over the years and have reduced renal clearance, it is possible that the Klonopin is circulating in their systems much longer than normal. It is very possible for an elderly person to have reduced renal function without it ever showing up on lab work.

However, it would be unusual for a 1mg dose of Klonopin to continually induce drowsiness nearly 24 hours later. If the resident is still drowsy, I would look into another cause.

[username33]

Thank you! I was told that the effect the drug produces is not the same as a half- life. My drug book says that the peak is 1-2 hrs and the duration of clonazepam is unknown. I am wondering if anyone gave Clonazepam PO and how long did EFFECT last?

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

We give it in LTC and most of our residents take it bid with some taking it once a day. I've never asked the resident how long it lasts?

[username33]

Thank you, Michelle126!

[beaujacques]

hi

klonopin 1 mg -as many have said -is pt dependent- i have found the effects last approx 10 hours-and that is in a healthy person

good luck

[katoline]

I would say it's multifactorial, depending on age, size, weight, general health of the person. Not to mention what other medications they might take, the reason they are taking it and how long they have been taking it.

Being a polypharm myself, i'm 54 about 5'7'' 170 lbs and can take up to 4mg/day if needed. If taken before bed, i'm drowsy in the morning. If taken during the day, i may need it to stay on an even keel due to stress or circumstances. It might calm me down, but not knock me out by any means. I usually take 2mg/day in 4 divided doses, nearly every day.

If they had an imoticon for a horses mouth, i would pick it. LOL!