Is it possible to taper off to slowly on clonazepam. I have been tapering off 0.125 mg every two weeks. My initial dosage was 1.5. I’m down to 1.125 mg and having bad withdrawals. I’m wondering if I should just taper off 0.125 for a month verses every two weeks. Is that to slow?
Clonazepam withdrawal questions?
Question posted by Chelle54 on 19 March 2022
Last updated on 14 November 2022 by Virginia Mariposa
4 Answers
Virginia Mariposa
15 Nov 2022
My psychiatrist prescribed Clonazepam for insomnia (no depression, seizures, etc.) because I had trouble sleeping with Ativan which was prescribed by a psychiatrist who I knew personally - for menopausal distress at age 51. I was a teacher plus I've had books published, so I counted on my sleep to keep me sharp. I was given a new psychiatrist by the medical clinic I go to who was fresh out of Johns Hopkins. The new psychology treatment is drugs only, essentially. He immediately changed my prescription to 2 mg. of Clonazepam. I slept and performed well on my jobs until a few years ago. By the age of 78, I realized that I had to get off of this drug due to my age and its diminishing effects. He agreed to taper me to 1.5 mg. a year ago. It was difficult at first and I still get headaches and a whirling sensation in my head (whirlybird brain I've heard it called), but I want to take even less.
He told me that only 5% of the patients on Clonazepam successfully taper off of it. At this point I realized I had been looking for a quick fix and was angry at him for not telling me this and myself for not asking. I just turned 80 and am still writing an publishing novels despite the withdrawal discomfort. I want to taper to 1 mg. next month even though I know it will be tough.
Klonz
21 March 2022
I’m in the same boat! Was on 1.25mg clonazepam and whittled myself down to about 1.1 and felt shaky from the inside, anxious, body aches. My mind was sharper and I had more energy but I couldn’t take it so went back up to 1.25. I think really the only way to go down is to take something else to take the edge off. These withdrawals are bad. Please keep us posted if you continue to taper but I hear you!
Chelle54
23 March 2022
How fast did you taper
TKMarsh711
21 March 2022
I don't know if it would help, but maybe you could go back up to whatever you were taking last week and stay on that dosage another couple of weeks.
Chelle54
21 March 2022
Thanks for responding. I was thinking about that as well but worry about the kindling affect when up-dosing. I have a call into my doctor to check on this.
WildcatVet
19 March 2022
Hi, Chelle!
There's no thing as TOO slow! If you're having withdrawals you're going too fast.
BTW, are you doing this with your doctor's supervision?
"Do not stop using clonazepam without asking your doctor. You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the medicine after long-term use. Some withdrawal symptoms may last up to 12 months or longer."
Best regards and be careful.
Chelle54
19 March 2022
Yes I am working with my doctor. He agreed on the tapering of .25 every month. I did not notice any withdrawals until three weeks into the taper. They passed so I went down the 0.125 after two weeks and the withdrawals are worse this week. I thought it was normal to have some withdrawals but these are miserable. I haven’t left my house for two days. Thank you for responding to my question.
WildcatVet
19 March 2022
I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope you do well. Good luck!
Related topics
benzodiazepine withdrawal, clonazepam, withdrawal, dosage, tapering, taper
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
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