Has anyone been on clonazepam ? I'm on it now but my Dr talked about switching me to Xanax for my panic disorder and severe anxiety. If I switch will i experience any withdrawal effects if I switch? I take 1.5 mg of klonopin a day and I've read switching to Xanax can result in withdrawal. I have been on clonazepam for almost two years now. Any feedback would be nice. Has anyone been through this or has successfully switched ???
Switching from Klonopin to Xanax?
Question posted by Randomgirl888 on 8 Jan 2021
Last updated on 11 November 2021 by Ladyloo2262
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
5 Answers
Ladyloo2262
11 Nov 2021
Xanax is short term and u will have withdrawals.
Clonazepam stays in your system longer and keeps you steady.
Do not switch.
Alphabravo33
9 Jan 2021
I think you’re making a good decision sticking with the Clonazepam. Many years ago I was in a similar situation with pretty much debilitating anxiety. I was prescribed Xanax, and let me tell you, that drug works wonders, I don’t even care what people say negatively about benzos. We have mental health disorders and we should not feel bad about taking the medications that help us. All that being said, Xanax (not extended release) gave me some challenging rebound anxiety (it helps out very fast, but leaves very soon) so my doc switched me to Clonazepam, which is another one that gets a bad rap, but it held my hand recovering from my final combat deployment. What it did was it gave me the chance to keep my life together and function as a human being. It allowed me to start building my “anxiety fighting toolbox” and all these medications have a place in my toolbox.
Through many years of therapy I’ve learned despite what we know about the human brain, there’s still a lot we don’t know. If you have found a medication that helps you be your best self, don’t think you “can’t be on it forever” If you do decide to switch or taper off, only do so under the guided help of a physician or pharmacist. I will also add you have a good doctor who trusts you, prescribing either of these medications these days, many doctors will not even prescribe them. Remember to give yourself grace and take it one day at a time. Good and bad, everything passes. I hope this helps, hang in there.
Inactive
8 Jan 2021
Clonazepam is a long acting benzodiazepine, Xanax is much shorter acting. Usually doctors are doing it the other way around. Patients using Xanax are often recommended to switch over to Clonazepam or Diazepam to prevent interdose withdrawal symptoms. What is your doctor rational about recommending this switch? To avoid withdrawal symptoms your doctor needs to match your current dose of clonazepam to the equivalent amount of Xanax and consider that Xanax will leave your body sooner than your clonazepam so you might need to spread out your Xanax dosing. You are right to be worrying about withdrawal. I would recommend very slow taper away from your current Clonazepam when you feel ready, before tolerance to your current dose develops.
Tolerance symptoms are identical to withdrawal symptoms but people often do not connect the dots and think that their /tolerance withdrawal symptoms are the sign of some severe illness and go from doctors to doctors, from cardiologist, to ENT, to neurologist etc. When you have a chance look at the Ashton Manual, prepared by Dr. Heather Ashton to help people find answers and help with benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Randomgirl888
9 Jan 2021
She meant Xanax XR. Still scared if switching. I don't think I'm going too. Im also on effexor xr and I feel like it stopped working on me the effexor so I get real bad nervous spurts but I don't go into full blown panic. I'm on the max dose of Effexor XR which is 300 mg and my anxiety and depression is back and it's so hard again. My Klonopin stops my attacks but I'm miserable again somewhat. Effexor helped for years .now I feel so doomed and depressed. It's almost like I just want to give up :( so tired of depression and anxiety and knowing I can't up my dose.of effexor xr bums me out cause it helped for four years, and I had a bad reaction to Prozac so I'm scared to try others. I have panic disorder. GAD, and mdd.
Randomgirl888
9 Jan 2021
She meant Xanax XR. Still scared if switching. I don't think I'm going too. Im also on effexor xr and I feel like it stopped working on me the effexor so I get real bad nervous spurts but I don't go into full blown panic. I'm on the max dose of Effexor XR which is 300 mg and my anxiety and depression is back and it's so hard again. My Klonopin stops my attacks but I'm miserable again somewhat. Effexor helped for years .now I feel so doomed and depressed. It's almost like I just want to give up :( so tired of depression and anxiety and knowing I can't up my dose.of effexor xr bums me out cause it helped for four years, and I had a bad reaction to Prozac so I'm scared to try others. I have panic disorder. GAD, and mdd.
Klonopinkid
8 Jan 2021
I do know Xanax is supposed to be stronger than klonopin and faster. I'm sure your doctor will give you a taper schedule for klonopin if needed. If not ask for one.
AS1ck
15 May 2021
I mean they do say the strongest benzodiazepine is the 3mg Xanax XR for it’s absorption lasting 6 more hours than regular immediate having a half life of 11-12 hours. I’m currently on 1mg clonazepam 3x daily and was either asking for 1 more mg 4x daily or ask if I can take a 10mg Diazepam benzodiazepine at night for sleep and my back spasms. Or completely switching to Xanax XR 2mg 2x daily or 3mg once daily.
TyreseTl
8 Jan 2021
Hey, Randomgirl!
You should gradually reduce from Klonopin. Switching immediately to Xanax after being on Klonopin for 2yrs may cause potential withdrawal symptoms.
Tyrese
Randomgirl888
9 Jan 2021
I choose not to switch. But I'm nervous of tapering in the future. Cause I don't want to be on this forever.
TyreseTl
9 Jan 2021
Take your time. Keep us updated on how your feeling, okay?
Tyrese
ethanboyle71
9 Nov 2021
Agree. However, try to taper off Klonopin if you can. Why go into another benzo, I rather be off both (with all due respect). Obviously, if you can (slowly - take your time).
I'm currently doing 0.75mg daily coming from 3mg daily.
Related topics
klonopin, xanax, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, clonazepam, withdrawal, disorder
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.