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Vision problem in taking clopam
Dear Doctor, I have been taking clopam 0.25 mg every day at night (for insomnia)for the past 3 years. Recently experiencing vision disturbance and mild shakiness in reading text.  I already consulted the eye doctor, they checked and said retina and cornea is okay and no power changes. Is it because of clopam long term effect, if so,  can I stop this medicine and is there any better alternative? Kindly respond with your advice 🙏 Regards
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The dose is very small ..so wait and watch ..if u r doing well without medicine .u can stop by taking half of tablet for somedays and stop.....if symptom again after stoping .then  consult a psychiatrist once
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Hi Yes, since this is a small dose, it can be discontinued. Please consult a psychiatrist to understand the reason behind insomnia. Most common symptoms of mood disorders include insomnia. Alternatives may be considered accordingly.
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Clonazepam is not to be taken for long term as you may get dependent and have withdrawal symptoms
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You need to seek psychiatrist consultation
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Consult with psychiatrist
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Hi there, A detailed medical and psychiatric history is always needed for every case.In addition,a detailed mental status examination is also recommended for every case to come to the final diagnosis and management of the case accordingly. Why the treatment was started is not clear. A large number of cases of sleep impairment are secondary to the primary psychiatric diagnosis. What was the diagnosis in your case? We have to rule out other medical causes of the symptoms you have mentioned. So a detailed medical history and investigations are needed too. Are you on other medications is not clear. Only few studies are available related to long term use of drugs like Clonazepam. Some complaints were like irritation,blurred vision or difficulty in reading but study concluded that such medications has little effect upon retinal function as signalled by the ERG.(Study by Sabah.Stafanous).
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Generally such long term use of drugs like clonazepam is not recommended as it can lead to its dependence. If you miss it by a day or two can cause withdrawal symptoms like tremors etc.
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I would suggest you to go for a psychiatric evaluation again, find the primary cause of illnesses,try to taper of the clonazepam. Other drugs and psychological interventions can also be tried. Be positive in your thoughts.
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Greetings It's not advisable to make a decision over a brief history. A detailed history and certain things should be ruled out. But answering your questions sometimes may be possible due to drugs. So meet your treating Psychiatrist and discuss in detail Thank you
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.