What Is Klonopin and Can It Be Combined With Methadone?

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Klonopin is a drug used for controlling seizures or anxiety disorders. Like all other medicines, it can have unintended effects when combined with other drugs such as methadone. Here’s a brief description of Klonopin and what can happen when you mix it with methadone.

What Is Klonopin?

Klonopin is a type of anti-epileptic or anti-convulsant medication. It is also prescribed for treating anxiety and pain. It belongs to a class of medication called benzodiazepines. The drug works by calming your nerves and your brain. Due to its action on your brain, it must be taken according to your doctor’s instructions to minimize possible side effects.

Why Do People Take Klonopin Combined With Methadone?

In many cases, combining Klonopin with methadone happens without prior planning. Many patients who have been prescribed prescription opioids will also have a prescription for benzodiazepines but usually from a different doctor.

When patients visit one doctor for the treatment of severe pain or opioid addiction, they may also consult another doctor for anti-anxiety treatment. If a single patient has multiple doctors prescribing medication, coordination may be difficult if the patient’s records aren’t transferred electronically from one doctor to another, but it is extremely important. Without communication between medical providers, the result can easily be a single person taking both medications.

In fact, many people take Methadone in a medication-assisted treatment program while going to another clinic to get treated for anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, due to the stigma that patients feel concerning their addiction, they may not inform the doctor treating their anxiety about their use of Methadone or vice versa.

What to Expect When You Combine Klonopin With Methadone

If there’s no medical supervision and coordination between the doctors prescribing these two medications, there could be serious complications. For example, taking Klonopin may increase the risk of methadone overdose. At Health Care Resource Centers, we always do a thorough check to ensure that patients who are taking methadone are not affected by other prescriptions given by other physicians.

How to Ensure Safe Treatment

Patients and physicians need to work closely together to lower the risks connected with taking drugs like Klonopin and methadone together. If you’re a patient, open up to your doctor about each medication you take so you can avoid dangerous drug interactions. If your doctor follows the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you’ll be safe. Always ensure that you ask your doctor about drug interactions any time you receive a new prescription.

Get Opioid Addiction Care From HCRC Treatment Centers

If you need professional help to recover from opioid addiction, we’re ready to help. Consult your nearest HCRC for medication-assisted treatment backed with adequate counseling and support. Give us a call now at 866-758-7769 or send us a message through our simple contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.

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