how can I tapper off clonazepam if they quit making it, I have been on for 25 years, I am scared. I can't get ahold of my doctor yet, and it's been 3 days and I am hallucinating, is this withdraw? oh God!
Pharmacy said clonazepam isn't being made anymore?
Question posted by Anonymous on 20 Jan 2019
Last updated on 3 August 2020
13 Answers
mmmousemaid
15 June 2020
I have seen some reports on the net that clonazepam is either discontinued, or is in shortage along with other benzodiazepines. But nothing certain from the FDA for example; It is very difficult to withdraw from clonazepam if taken for so long. Perhaps we will get some advice from doctors or pharmacists to take an adjunct long life benzodiazepine in withdrawal recovery. In my case the prescription for decreasing was not related to an awareness of shortage, but a lack of awareness of the need for gradual discontinuation.
dfa
3 Aug 2020
Clonazepam is in no way being discontinued. It is still made by multiple manufacturers, and is one of the most prescribed drugs in the world.
Inactive
15 June 2020
Hi. I understand where you are. I have been taking klonopin for 12 years. I came off of it at a treatment center which did not taper me off therefore your symptoms are also what I experienced plus much more. Please make sure you find a doctor who will work with you to taper you off of klonopin. Good luck.
NeedSleep07
9 Jan 2020
I’ve never taken Clonazepam 1mg made by Teva, but I was taking one from a company named NorthStar and it worked great for my sleep issue. Now it’s not being made by that manufacturer and the one that is available is the green pill from Teva which I’ve never tried for sleep. Does it work for anyone else as far as use for sleep only at night?
The other generic have not worked out for me at all. Not sure I need to just ask my doctor for another medication or try the Teva green pill. Anyone having issue with sleep using this as well?
WildcatVet
8 Jan 2020
They don't care to be responsible for creating addicts who experience increasing depression, increasing anxiety, memory loss, etc., with the long term use of benzodiazepines. Google the ramifications...
dfa
3 Aug 2020
Stop posting scare-mongering, inaccurate information. Clonazepam is a very, very useful drug that helps very many people with a huge range of conditions. For some conditions, it is the only acceptable treatment. Remember, everyone is different, and most people who take the drug do so responsibly, and have very few long-term effects. I've had multiple doctors from different disciplines (internal medicine, psychiatry, sleep medicine, pain medicine) all confirm that clonazepam can be extremely useful for some people (not all people obviously) over the long-term.
Scare-mongering like this does nothing to help people, and can actually cause harm. You need to let people make medical decisions in consultation with their medically-trained providers.
WildcatVet
3 Aug 2020
All information is required to make appropriate decisions regarding your PERSONAL health care.
beckycarter
8 Jan 2020
I'm writing in caps because my information is very important. I was on klonopin for 30 years when the world stopped making the real medication. After two years of withdrawal I learned that actavis is the closest form of clonazepam. Ask your doctor to write "actavis only" on your prescription or try to find a compounding pharmacy. The changed version of actavis is not like the original actavis clonazepam but will prevent siezures, withdrawal and going into the "hell realm". Actavis dosage labels are false--if you need to take 1 mg get your dr to prescribe 2 mg. Original actavis stayed in your system 12 hours. The remake lasts 3 t0 6 hours. You will need a compassionate dr to grant a prescription with this high number of pills. If some one can have an assay done on the real amount of medicine compared to the label amount (half) please spread the news so drs. Can double your dose.
The new changed actavis does not have as much effect on anxiety and panic attacks as before but it has enough for you to survive. The world medical community apparently has a strong disregard for the lives of persons with brain "defects" and like the nazis do not value our lives and will let us suffer and die. I need the medicine for seizures, spasms and autism. We don't have the same value to the medical community as those who have healthy brains. Please try to find actavis, double the dose (2 mg) and take one every six hours and you will not suffer or die.
Suza2711
11 Jan 2020
I thought Actavis was completely bought out by TEVA several months ago and now you're hard pressed to find it. Many people here are saying the TEVA doesn't work as well as before. That's why I'm looking everywhere to find it. My pharmacy only has 6 bottles left. After that... no more. They'll likely get TEVA. If you know of any places that still sell Actavis I'd love to know. It really works for me.
Jlynn2019
1 June 2019
I'm from canada, their still making clonazepam here,I'm on it, however if you can't get it anymore your doctor has to put you on something else that will help with the same issues your having. Yes your possibly having withdrawals and that's not good, you really should wait to see your doctor and get switched to maybe valium, or maybe if it's possible for you go to a walk in clinic. Fact is you can't be left without anything and yes you will withdrawal. Hope I was helpful, take care.
tonyfina
13 Feb 2019
ive been on clonazepam 20 + yrs
my phych tried to taper me from .05/ night, and 2x .025 / Day, by .025 a day.
of corse, everything went bad by day 3, so i went back to my regular dose.
So, saw my phych last week, told him ill try a water taper in maybe 6 weeks once i stable out.
he said its getting hard to get clonazepam in Canada, but i managed to save up years of back up if needed.
I will do a very slow taper on my own, but i think i will stay on at least .025/day
at 53, im not really concerned about jumping off
I heard the limitation on clonazepam is a zoning issue
so they are cutting some zones by 20%
so if ur in one of those zones, your doc may say its getting hard to fill scrips for clonazepam
Brick172
11 Feb 2019
I’ve been taking it for years 2mg
and still do. Sounds like you needed new pharmacy !!!
TheJax
6 Feb 2019
Yes they are still making it. Don't worry. I have been on Xanax for 30 years so I can imagine how you felt. Have no fear. No such thing will happen. I spoke to my friend who is a pharmacist about this before I posted my answer. Lots of luck.
mralan1
4 Feb 2019
Clonazepam is one of the meds that I take daily in the evening. Sometimes, when I feel that I have trouble concentrating on things, I will take one during the day. I have not heard that the med is not being made. I'll research it, then respond on this website.
Ghostbusters
23 Jan 2019
There is a shortage of clonazepam. Teva and Sandoz no long manufactures them. Northstar is made by Sandoz for Northstar.
Same markings identical, just distributed by NorthStar. Actavis took Tevas place. Both I’ve had zero issues with. You will find very little about NorthStar and less reviews, but I called and even the packing says Manufactured by Sandoz for Northstar. Sandoz also discontinued alprazolam which means no more GG249 bars
JodyJ5211
23 Jan 2019
Ghostbusters --> I Looked that up. The only difference on mine? Is I take 2 mg's twice a day as needed. It shows a Score on them like I had with TEVA's on the Sandoz site. There is no score on the ones I just picked up yesterday by NorthStar. So I'm wondering if they are made elsewhere. (I still have Accord in my system from yesterday.) Took One of my new ones from NorthStar at 4:30 p.m. It's now 11:44 p.m. but I'm trying not to think about it to make it a psychological issue. So far? None of that terrible tinnitus and withdrawal issue. Sandoz showed a score on them. NorthStar that I have? No score on them. So they are different. The Number is Correct on the Pill. Just bothers me there is no score on them. I can't find out any information on NorthStar. Where they are made. Sandoz is made in Italy.
Ghostbusters
23 Jan 2019
If you google Northstar clonazepam 2mg and go to the images it will have the packing image. If you read, it’s says Manufactured by Sandoz for NorthStar. Made in Italy. Northstar has a scored and non scored version
Newyorkgal35
20 Jan 2019
I am on Klonopin and have not had any problem getting it.
JodyJ5211
21 Jan 2019
Does your Insurance cover it? I read where if my Dr. says it is Medically Necessary, (depends on what insurance you have and I am on Medicare) that they will cover it. I have signed up with Good RX and here and see I can get Discounts or your pharmacy that gets it can get me a discount. They are $248 for 2 mg's. / 60 a month but that is what the website said. I was told $349 by my pharmacy. Well I need help getting them or go on diazepam and prozac. I have CHF and other diseases and I cannot afford to go through withdrawals. I am to call the FDA my pharmacist said and I am !!
Inactive
21 Jan 2019
I have been without since Friday, I am Telling you I am dying, I can feel my body shutting down, I am hallucinating, What is happening to me!!! Dear God in Heaven if this is withdraw I will never make it. My insurance covered it for years, the pharmacy won't tell me nothing. I hope my doctor is in today, I don't know what is happening to me, but it is HELL,
Inactive
21 Jan 2019
I had 2 extra and they are gone now, I split them in half, but it isn't stopping this cramping in my hands and feet. I have no choice to go to the ER. I could have a seizure a friend told me. so I looked that up and it is true!!! if you go stop taking them abruptly you can have a seizure
JodyJ5211
21 Jan 2019
Shanna123 --> That IS the Truth !! I am getting a New Pharmaceutical Company brand today. As soon as my son gets back with them and other items I needed. CALL the FDA and Report it. I am. If Enough of us do so? They Will Have to do something about it. Or? Maybe not. They are the Government. Trying to STOP us from taking them. They are Spraying Lithium and Clonazepam don't go so well with that. If You have did some research on what the Globalists are doing to us. It's on the Federal Government Website. They are Not hiding it anymore. Back on Subject: Get the Klonopin from Roche / Genentech. It is the Only One that is Legitimate at this time. Also talk to your Dr. about an Anti-depressant that you can take with it. I am making an appointment today or tomorrow. I'm Not caring the Price on the Klonopin from Roche/Genentech. Been on them myself for as long as you have. We'll Die if we stop taking them.
It takes 6 months to fully get them out of your system via' Detox. Medical Detox in a Facility. I have Many other Health Problems and that is One that I am NOT going to deal with because the Accord is putting Sugar, Glucose, Milk, in theirs and Very Little Clonazepam, itself. I have to take 4 / 2 mg's instead of the normal 2 a day. That is how bad they are then they are raising my blood sugar, many side effects. **Newyorkgal35 --> Is Your Insurance Covering them or are you having to pay out of pocket? Help us out here Please.
Rathmullan
20 Jan 2019
Hello Shana:
I think you received some inaccurate information from the pharmacist. You may wish to try a different pharmacy. Clonazepam is still available. It's brand name is Klonopin. I believe the government is pressuring medical professionals not to dispense benzodiazepines as freely as they once did. The reasons are good, but I know that is little help to you.
So you may wish to try a different pharmacy and if they are just unavailable you may wish to ask your Doctor to write you a prescription for another benzodiazepine such as lorazepam or alprazolam that could serve as a substitute. You should not have to go through withdrarwal.
Take care for now and all the best.
Related topics
anxiety, benzodiazepine withdrawal, insomnia, panic disorder, seizure prevention, clonazepam, withdrawal, borderline personality disorder, pharmacy, doctor
Further information
- Clonazepam uses and safety info
- Clonazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Clonazepam (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.