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Klonopin usage for anger outbursts?

Posted by jkhjr @jkhjr, Jun 2, 2023

My Mother is 93 and has moderate ALZ. Doctor put her on Seroquel 25mg at night. Also, prescribed Klonopin for agitation if needed.
Seroquel 25mg worked for two months then stopped. Began Seroquel 50 mg for one week but did not see any improvement in agitation and the anger outbursts. I know the Klonopin .25mg (half of the .50mg tablet) calms her in about 30 minutes. I just do not know if this is safe to take long term. Could it accelerate the ALZ?
Her doctor pretty much leaves it up to me as what would work best for her. She just wants her to have peace.
Maybe I need to give the Seroquel 50mg another week or so. I am wondering if I should try Seroquel 25mg in the A.M. and 25mg at bedtime instead of the 50mg at night.
Any help greatly appreciated!

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teacher502 | @teacher502 | Jun 3, 2023

My hubby has LBD with mild Parkinsons, and he is on 12.5 mg seroquel at night. I was told it could take up to 6 weeks to see a real difference, so maybe you could try the seroquel a bit longer?? However, if the klonipin works, that might help if you can take it as needed until the 50mg kicks in.

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1 reply
jkhjr | @jkhjr | Jun 3, 2023
In reply to @teacher502 "My hubby has LBD with mild Parkinsons, and he is on 12.5 mg seroquel at night...." + (show)
@teacher502

My hubby has LBD with mild Parkinsons, and he is on 12.5 mg seroquel at night. I was told it could take up to 6 weeks to see a real difference, so maybe you could try the seroquel a bit longer?? However, if the klonipin works, that might help if you can take it as needed until the 50mg kicks in.

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Thank you for your reply. That is my plan for now.

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bonnie48 | @bonnie48 | Jun 4, 2023

It doesn’t seem right to me that our LO’s doctors don’t recommend informed suggestions re: these meds & tell us caregivers to make our own decisions, so we turn to each other. I do appreciate consulting with fellow caregivers but expect professionals who prescribe powerful meds to have more knowledge about these meds than those of us who have not gone to med school.
If doctors are going to simply tell us to use our own best judgment about psychiatric meds, I say let us buy the meds OTC & skip the expense & hassle of begging for medical appointments & begging for prescriptions.
Sorry if that sounds too strong. Caregiver burnout & also System Frustration.

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