Will I go through withdrawal symptoms from long-term Xanax use while i start Klonopin? Or will replacing 1 benzo with another take care of withdrawal? I was taking 1mg of Xanax 3 times daily, and just switched to 1mg Klonopin 3 times daily, and wondering if/what the withdrawal symptoms be, or will i not experience any?
Clonazepam - Replacing Xanax With Klonopin?
Question posted by ajsand1911 on 24 Sep 2018
Last updated on 25 September 2018
3 Answers
Ros 2
25 Sep 2018
Hello ajasan1911
You shouldn't have any withdrawal symptoms switching over to Klonopin from Xanax! The dosage seems to be on the high end for Klonopin since it stays in your systems longer. I would check with your doctor to see if your dosage on the new drug could be lower or not taken as often. Hopefully, your transition will work for you!
Take care & be well!
ajsand1911
25 Sep 2018
Thank you Ros2. I appreciate your time and feedback
Rathmullan
24 Sep 2018
Hello AJSand:
Surprised you're being prescribed that much Klonopin. Has the Xanax stopped working? Should be no problem with respect to withdrawal as 1 mg of Klonopin is equivalent to 2 mg of Xanax. So your new prescription is equivalent to doubling your dose of Xanax. I hope you don't need that much Klonopin. If you can get by with just 1 or 2 Klonopin per day, by all means do so. Klonopin is longer acting than Xanax.
All the best and take care for now
1986justine
24 Sep 2018
Actually, according to the benzo equivalency chart 0.1 mg of Xanax is equal to 0.1 mg of clonazepam, etc. So according to the UK equivalency chart, they are equal in strength. The difference is in duration. It might be best to follow the Doctor's directions and not attempt making decisions on changing prescribed dosage without first discussing with the physician.
ajsand1911
24 Sep 2018
Hi Rathmullan, Thank you for your feedback. It’s much appreciated. I’ve been on Xanax since I was 17 years old and I am now 35. My anxiety is severe. But reading these answers has given me some hope. And if they work that well for me, I may not take that 3rd one. Just have to wait and see. Thanks again for your time and feedback.
Rathmullan
25 Sep 2018
Right AJSand, Klonopin and Xanax are not equivalent strength when Klonopin's anti-anxiety effect lasts twice as long and you are taking the same number of Klonopin as you did Xanax over the same period of time.
Tim F
24 Sep 2018
Xanax and Klonopin are equivalent in strength but Klonopin is much longer acting. Xanax has a 6-12 hour half-life. Klonopin has an 18-60 hour half-life. Withdrawal symptoms should be short-lived if any.
ajsand1911
24 Sep 2018
Tim F., thank you for your information. My doc told me it was longer lasting, but didnt tell me how long. Thank you for your time and feedback.
Related topics
klonopin, xanax, anxiety, benzodiazepine withdrawal, panic disorder, clonazepam, withdrawal, benzodiazepine, symptom
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