Is Klonidine A Good Choice For Stress?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

My doctor just gave me Klonidine for stress.  Is this a good choice?

ANSWER:

I assume you mean "Klonopin" and not Clonidine.  Clonidine is a high blood pressure medication that is sometimes used in children for behavior problems. 

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a long acting benzodiazepine medication (like Valium) that is commonly used for panic and severe anxiety.  Like the other medications in the class they are potentially addicting and abusable, and they can impair you with driving or using machinery (even if you perceive they aren't).

I usually recommend for my patients that they do my screening test to determine what other diagnoses are present that could be treated to stop the anxiety. 



Thanks Debbie