I am on clonazepam 0.5mg 2x day. I am weaning myself off and would like to ask if anyone knows how to? My pharmacist said they are fast acting so if I have a panic or anxiety attack then take one. Please help someone because I started cutting the one I take during the day 1/2. The reason why I am doing this is because I am on too many prescribed drugs right now... Tegretol, ranitidine, meloxicam, oxybutin, & the clonazepam. I'm sure someome out there may understand why I have begun this process since my Dr. does not have any appts. for me until mid Aug. Thanks
How do you wean yourself off clonazepam?
Question posted by reelwater on 10 July 2012
Last updated on 23 July 2022
21 Answers
JMD2
22 April 2020
I have a prescription for 1mg Clonazepam to be taken at night with 10mg of Ambien for insomnia. I’m taking 2mg of Alprazolam daily as/when/if needed for social and OCD anxiety. I’ve stopped filling my Clonazepam at night because it lingers through the morning and causes feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and a “foggy” mind that increases my anxiety for lack of clarity.
I use a pill cutter to take 1/2 milligram at night only when sleep is imperative. The problem is, if the pill does not have a score mark on it, you can’t be certain that the medication is equally distributed. In other words, if you cut the pill in half, the active ingredient may be entirely on one half while the other half has little to no active ingredient.
The best way to taper off is reducing the dosage over a 4-7 day period and taking small amounts ONLY when absolutely necessary.
Short term use of .25 Xanax ONLY WHEN NEEDED to take the edge of for a week or so after discontinuing Clonazepam can be helpful as it has a much shorter half-life pertaining to metabolism of the medication.
Sucka132
24 Aug 2019
I posted a little over a year ago. And I want to tell you. I just completed a successful one year taper in May. I am about 3 months off clonazepam/klonopin. I did it using a jewelers scale, weighing my pill down until it was basically dust. The way it works, is do a 10%reduction by weight evwry 2 weeks. Last time I tried to come off was at lightning speed and it landed me back on the benzo. As soon as I started, I began tapering again at the 10% every 2 weeks by weight method. You weigh your daily dose, write that down... divide it by however many times a day you wish to dose, and separate into pill containers. Take that amount you wrote down and reduce it by 10% every two weeks. Some find it easier to reduce every week, others every month. Whatever you do, beat of luck to you! I encourage you to join support groups of others who have tapered, but beware of negativity, or triggering symptom complaints.
WildcatVet
24 Aug 2019
Did your health care professional advise this?
Amos123
25 Aug 2019
Finally a response that is encouraging and educational. Thank you for taking the time. I have been on .75mg of Klonopin for 10 years. I tried tapering to .625 to start but had days of insomnia. Can I ask what you used to physically cut the pills? And is there a particular weigh machine you found? I want to do this the right way but my brain fog is so bad it’s hard to calculate what I’m trying to achieve. I appreciate all advice and congratulate you on your successful taper!!! I know it took a lot of work.
WildcatVet
22 April 2020
Unfortunately, too many people would rather do what they want to do based on non-professional advice, anecdotes, and misinformation. This forum is not meant to provide professional medical advice.
That's why so many patients end up in our psychiatric ER. The internet can be a dangerous place in more ways than one or two.
Gramma11
24 Aug 2019
My dr said it all depends how much how long iv been on 2 mg for 20 years so they have to go real slow .1 at a time the withdrawal can be bad wish me luck I’ll keep everyone informed don’t start to next fri
Daisyforevet
23 Aug 2019
Yes I agree with Wildcat, but at least people can share how they do it or did it. That's what this group is for. Sharing stories and ideas. That doesn't mean we are going to do it, just to see how everyone else handled it. But we know we have to see what the doctor says in the end then we can decide what we to do... Like they say doctors are not God. Hang in there !
WildcatVet
22 April 2020
Unfortunately, too many people would rather do what they want to do based on non-professional advice, anecdotes, and misinformation. This forum is not meant to provide professional medical advice.
That's why so many patients end up in our psychiatric ER. The internet can be a dangerous place in more ways than one or two.
WildcatVet
23 Aug 2019
You should never attempt to discontinue any psychotropic medication (especially addictive ones like the benzodiazepines) without the knowledge and supervision of your health care provider:
"Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine."
Do not attempt to do this on your own or based on information you obtain on the internet or social media.
Daisyforevet
23 Aug 2019
I just asked that same question. Same here on to many meds.Wellbutrin, Vistaril, Elavil, Seroquel and klonopin. I don't know if I would give up the Klonopin if your doing this. I'm keeping it cause I'm thinking I might need it getting off some of the other's. I take .05 also and that is such a low dose. I just take it as needed. Sometimes I only take half. But if I can get off some of the other's I might need it. Maybe you just want to take half as needed.If that don't work in 30 to an hour take the other half that's what I do.But you do what you feel is right. That's just my opinion. I see my psychiatrist today so I will see what happens. Hang in there. We can do this! Hopefully someone will answer us. Good luck..
Gramma11
23 Aug 2019
I am getting ready to come off 2 mg dr says it’s going to be a very slow process clonazepam one of the hardest drugs to get off please be careful
maruskabob
12 July 2019
Hi Reelwater, im similar to you and hate the idea of taking medication in order to function in my daily life. I have GAD and PD, and i spent my life trying to ignore them, or come on and off of sertraline, etc (gambits of meds). They worked in the past and i did the wrong thing. When they worked i stopped taking them, multiple times i did throughout my teenage and adults years. As a replacement i found myself going to alcohol (never do this plz). It worked for a few years, but i had become a high functioning alcoholic. Not that bad though towards the end of this current episode. This is my first time seeking true psychiatric and psychotherapy, i waited too long and tried to subdue in the wrong ways. After a series of traumatizing events a few months ago, i not relapsed into extreme anxiety, alcohol no longer worked. I drank myself to the point of extreme dependency and one day realizing this, i tried to stop.
It was bad, after 4 days i ended up in the hospital with withdrawals from alcohol and DT's. I was lucky i lived, and both unlucky, i was sent home with a bottle of ativan 30/2mg nothing else after i refused in patient care. I consistently made the wrong choices. I ended up taking the whole bottle within 3 days, I cant remember any of it but i assume its because it worked and i got that same calming affect as the substance i abused before. Anyways i digress, I'm on 200mg sertraline, 1mg clonazepam and 7.5mg of zopiclone to sleep (alcohol free). I plan on weening off the meds too, i understand how you feel, but without the right supervision or consultation dont try it alone. Consult your pharmacist if your too far away from a doc apt. but ask to speak to them in private, they usually are glad to take the time and listen to your situation. If the clonazepam is working and your not feeling the need for a raise in dosage or that its too sedating for you. Don't even try to taper without seeing a doctor first. For people like me i am dependent yes, but if it works for you. If you think you can live with anxiety without medication or therapy go ahead. Not all of us are so lucky, i wish you the best of luck.
Sucka132
22 April 2018
I responded to your question in another persons response. But please please go very very slowly. I was on the same dosage you are on and i weened myself in 5 weeks and i ended up with severe insomnia, panic, heart palpitations, almost lost my job and i felt like I was losing my mind. I did not sleep for 11 DAYS and i called my doctor and he put me back on .5mg 2x a day. I hope you scroll down to read the rest of my experience before you decide to dose off. Read the Ashton Manual!!! I went too fast, please do not do that to yourself. Benzos slow down your gaba receptors we need gaba to self soothe, coming off benzos takes time for your brain to remember to use those receptors again. The benzo basically acts as a gaba receptor so your brain doesnt have to do it anymore the meds do it. Over time your brain stops using the receptors. You can read more about this by googling but please just be slow and careful coming off the klonopin.
BrittLD89
24 March 2018
Hey y'all i have been on 1 mg of clonazepam for a year and a month I tapered down to 0.5 for two weeks now I split that in half and I'm doing 0.25 mg for 2 weeks I'm on day 12 of the 0.25 taper is this a good taper schedule? What should I do after the 0.25? My dr didn't tell me what to do after that and he won't answer calls or emails ugh the only withdrawals I have had are muscle pain a little bit of a headache I need advice I'm nervous! Do you think I'll still get bad withdrawals?
bubblegirl19
10 July 2019
I saw my doctor today and you are doing it correctly. Cut the .25 in half or they actually have .125 tabs. It’s 2 weeks at a time, most on this post are doing it too fast. I get you on the docs not calling back; it’s a thing.
BellYard
19 Sep 2017
I had been taking. 25mg Xanax in conjunction with 40mg Paxil since 2006 after a 5 year battle with undiagnosed panic disorder... I expressed the desire to get off Xanax completely in 2015... doc puts me on Clonazepam.25mg 2x a day,still taking the Paxil... feeling pretty good but having difficulty ejaculating... I was cool with it because my erections would outlast my wife's orgasms... but she felt less womanly so doc weaned me off Paxil... it was in Feb.of this year that I was involved in a fatality at work (transit) not my fault but obviously kicked my anxiety I to hyperspace... took 5 weeks off work and doc pushed dosage up to .50mg 2x a day... felt ok when I came back but then I started feeling like the Klonopin wasn't working anymore... high anxiety,more frequent panic attacks,agitation,accelerated heart rate,The whole 9 yards... doc puts me on 25mg Nortriptyline,a nerve drug,to "replace" the Paxil...
nothing... bumps it up to 50mg... still nothing... now I'm super nervous which is elevating my heart rate as high as 120 at rest... so here's where I'm at now... Ive been doubling up on the Klonopin with little results... now I feel like I'm immune to the Klonopin which kicks the panic up another notch... appt.with doc this Thurs.to try and get my levels stable... I don't want to be dependent on 2-3mgs of this stuff... but if I have to,so be it... doc might refuse... he seemed concerned about me takin 2mg a day for the last 2 days... will update... thx for this forum... it helps to know I'm not the only one..
annettecothron
10 Aug 2017
I have been on clonazepam 0.5 2x a day as well I am also weaning myself off of it very slowly I have been taking 1 in the am an 1/2 at night for a month now , Yesterday I started taking 1/2 in the am an 1/2 at night . So far things are going good no side effects . I have been taking it for almost 6 years I have COPD . I broke my left foot in January of this year an it is healing extremely slow , I have been put on pain meds an was told I needed to get off the clonazepam due to the fact that it will may mess with my breathing more . I was put on clonazepam for a mild case of anxiety nothing more . I am looking to see it this tapering I am doing is a good way to do it ? Any answers
titansmvc
11 Aug 2017
I was on 1.5 a day and it took about 7 months to get off the .5. I take.5 am and .5 pm. I asked my dr. Today if the klonopin had snything to do with my cood besides dmoking and she said no. Go figure. Trying to understand. Been onklonopin fir 12 years. Thanks fir any hrlp besides i need to quit smoking but thats been smoking fir 45 years. Tough
titansmvc
24 March 2017
I took 7 months to get off 1/2 of .5 mg. But no problems
Sucka132
30 July 2018
So are you completely off meds or did you require other meds to help with withdrawal symptoms? Or did you just not get withdrawal symptoms?
Sucka132
30 July 2018
So are you completely off meds or did you require other meds to help with withdrawal symptoms? Or did you just not get withdrawal symptoms?
Wildfire123
23 March 2017
I have been on Kolonopin now for about 5 weeks. 0.25mg in am and 0.25mg in pm. It has caused me to loose weight, loose my appetite, stay depressed and tired, stay nauseated all the time. How I do come off this? It's making me feel horrible!! I take 7.5mg of Remeron at night as well. Please help! This kolonopin is dangerous for me.
Obeseandtrying
2 Jan 2018
I have been on Clonazapam for a year now. My neurologist prescribed me a pill and a half (.75 mg) a day for my epileptic seizures, OCD and anxiety. I only take one a day (.50 mg). I have gained 15 lbs during that year. I do not eat poorly so I want to try to not take it. Every time I do, I feel horrible and can't sleep at all. Anyone else with weight gain on this?
LilStar9
14 March 2018
Hi! I know the original posted question is years old, but I’m hoping my answer can help others as it helped me.
I was on 2mg clonazepam two times a day, for 5+ years and did not realize how terrible this medication was.
I decided in January of this year to wean myself off. Per the comments above I started cutting down by 1/8 of a tablet every two weeks, and started to only take it at bedtime. I cut my tablets into 8 pieces (I couldn’t cut them smaller) and marked my calendar and stuck to it. I thought it was going to be terrible, but I had little to no side effects. I’ve been completely off for a week and could not be happier about it.
Please, for those of you wanting to get off this medication, do so slowly or you’ll just regress. It’s not easy and you’ll just want to quit, but do not give up!
Thank you to those who have shared their experience!
CANakagawa
23 July 2022
How on Earth do you cut them into 1/8? These pills are impossible to cut.
dunny02
21 Feb 2017
Hi There.. I want to chime in and add a couple of thoughts.
First off, I love clonazepam- it is the best anxiety med (benzo) and has the fewest side effects. I tried a lot of them and all had very undesirable side effects ranging from lethargy, fatigue, heart palpations, etc... I say this for myself and I do NOT pretend to know how others will react.
Like most people, I hate being on drugs, so I fought for years to try to wean off clonazepam. I always tried to lower the dosage and never increase. I was 100% successful at that. I was on 1mg the whole time. I would not let myself increase. I refused.
Finally, I decided to go off... I was successful in lowering to .250 and I have never increased since (back-up).
My trick was to replace the higher dosage with jogging.
I started slow 3.5 miles mph on the treadmill. Then increased incline to a 5 incline. I sweat like crazy and I worked up from 15 minutes to 1 hour. I am in really good shape (heart wise) and this is 90% of the battle- in my opinion.
I find (my opinion) that jogging is a '10' times better drug than anything on the market. I think I can come off the last .250 but never felt led to do so.
I have never felt better. I do plan to take the last plunge soon because I feel so much better. I really changed a lot of things in my life which I know cause massive anxiety, namely:
Coffee ( now I drink swiss water decaf)
I eat whole foods and juice veggies and fruit. This made an enormous difference.
I take a lot of vitamins... b vitamins are really important and amino acids ( i take a lot fo them, and when I don't take for a week, I feel a huge difference. This is a big deal.
Biggest lesson. Our bodies are very fine tuned machines. We need to take care of ourselves. If you are missing certain vitamins or minerals, you can have big issues with mind and emotions. Same with lack of exercise.
Hope my words help or inspire.
WarriorWoman
23 Nov 2017
Hi Dunny02,
How many years have you been taking clonazepam? I have been taking .50mg a day at night and in March of 2018 it will be 10 years.
I want to start slowly working my way off. You said you fought for years to lower it. Did you just take a little bit off here and there and over how many years?
I, too eat a whole food diet and juice lots if leafy greens & fruits everyday as well as excercise daily. However B vitamins tend to cause anxiety especially B12 as well as D3 vitamins.
Any advice from your years of experience?
Thanks and good luck on taking the plunge!
WW
dunny02
23 Nov 2017
WarriorWoman,
I was on it for approximately 8 years. I went off it rapidly. I decreased it in .125 increments. I would wait 3-6 days before i would drop again. The trick (or key) for me was to make sure that I levelled off on the new dosage before going down again. In other words, the first 1-3 days might be a little uncomfortable, but then your body gets used to it. Once you are stable on the dosage, then drop again (this may take you 3 days, 5 days or even 7 days)
I have one helpful hint, if you do a drop .125 and you are feeling super uncomfortable, then give yourself the old dosage one night and then return to lower dose, the next day. Here is an example of how this might work. Let’s say that you are going to move from .500 to .375. you make the cut and you are on your 2nd day of .375, but you are feeling really rough. What I would do is go back to .500 for just one day, then move back down to .375 the next. This little reprieve really helped me.
Only do it if you must, though!
The overarching thought that I have for you is this:
The forums are great, but many people make too big of a deal of weening off Klonopin. Is it SUPER-easy to come off, no. Is it without any side effects, no but I found it fairly easy to come off? I think 99% of it is in your brain. Do what i mentioned, come of .125 at a time. take approx. 3-6 days to level off... probably 6 days is best (you will know when you adjust to new dose).
When you ween, do a lot of exercise, do not drink alcohol or coffee. If you must have coffee get low acid decaf from Amazon (health wise) It has almost zero caffeine and no acid.
I have been off it for a long time now. I walk 30 miles a week. I do not drink caffeine, I do not drink alcohol, I take massive vitamins. I think your diet will play a major role in keeping anxiety and stress at bay. Also, vitamins can really help. I was referring to vitamin b3 (niacinamide) high dosage (google Dr. Abram Hoffer) he cured serious mental disorder with Niacimimide (anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and many others).
I believe we are all different, but many of us that suffer thru these battles have very sensitive chemistry. In other words, we must really be cognizant of our mental health. Like a man or woman who is prone to obesity, it is partially genetic, so they need to be vigilant what they let into their bodies (food, substances, chemicals)
One big point I want to make is this: Do NOT buy into all of this victim mentality stuff. You are strong, and you need to fight it with natural methods… exercise, prayer, food, being around people, vitamins.
I am not a doctor, obviously, I am telling you what worked for me, so talk to your doctor and make your own choices, but this is what worked for me.
God bless.
Sucka132
28 May 2018
Obviously we all ARE different, so i am going ro chime in on my two cents.
I tried a quick taper of klonopin. One month, I ended up nearly losing my job, and having every single horrific side effect/withdrawal symptom you have ever heard of coming off klonopin. I kept trying to push through, and use benadryl and melatonin, listening to different "sleep inducing" sound waves, but nothing, and i mean NOTHING helped. I could not eat, sleep, or even function for TWELVE days.
Now, I called my doctor and told him I could not handle it anymore, and he put me back on .5mg 2x a day. This was a great relief as thw first night I slept like a baby! The problem is, I felt, for lack of a better word, DOPEY during the daytime on .5mg. So after one week of getring my bearings back and still not feeling myself after this ordeal, I dosed down to .25mg am and .5mg pm. I have been on this dose for 6 weeks and decided to start tapering down again, but very, very slowly.
This medication is great, it does the job for my anxiety, but I, just as many others have stated do not like the mental "fog" that comes along with it. Additionally I would like to have a beer now and again without worrying if I will suffer insomnia because I must skip a pill.
So, that said... I have decided to look inti a proper dosing chart and in EVERY instance that I have read, or heard from others, the best way is ON YOUR OWN TERMS. My dosing down schedule is going to be reducing by .125mg every 2-4weeks until I have reached my goal. At this rate I feel I will not suffer the horrendous ordeal I did at my first attempt. I am just not sure doing a dosing chart according to one oerson will work for every person.
There is my two cents. Good luck to you! I hope to be klonopin free in 4 months, but if I must go slower, then I must. Please take care and do not despair you can eventually get there as I am sure I will eventually get there too.
lalakehanap
21 April 2019
How did you lower your dose - by cutting the pill which can only be split up to 8 pieces or did you use the clonazepam solution version? Thanks.
Related topics
anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
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