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Clonazepam for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal User Reviews

Brand names: Klonopin

Clonazepam has an average rating of 4.8 out of 10 from a total of 104 reviews for the off-label treatment of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal. 36% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 48% reported a negative experience.

Clonazepam rating summary

4.8 average rating out of 10

104 ratings from 113 user reviews.

Compare all 2 medications used in the treatment of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal.

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Reviews for Clonazepam

  • benzo...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 24, 2020

"I'm very aware of the dangers and the suffering of benzo withdrawal. I've gone through it multiple times and I'm only 25. However, I'm going to detail the successful tapering schedule I did using Klonopin. I was taking 2mg for two years and this is how I successfully got off. I did 1.75mg for a week, 1.5mg for a week, 1.25mg for a week, 1mg for a week, 0.875mg for a week, 0.75mg for a week, 0.625mg for a week, 0.5mg for a week, 0.325mg for a week, 0.25mg for a week, 0.125mg for a week, and then I jumped off. No, it wasn't easy, but it sure beat rapid withdrawal in a detox center and then going insane for months. I suggest trying what I did and you can prolong the cuts as well. Instead of holding for one week, hold for two, three, or a month. Be well everyone and good luck with the fight!"

8 / 10
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  • Glad
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 3, 2021

"I started taking Xanax after I lost my job and then my wife to brain cancer. My psychiatrist recommended Klonopin since it lasts longer. I started to wean myself off by taking smaller doses over a long period of time (4-6 weeks lowered each dose)... it’s now weeks with no meds and very little, if any, side effects... I’m 67... if I can do it... you can too!"

8 / 10
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266 Report
  • tabby
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 2, 2020

"Withdrawing from this drug has been the worst experience of my life. On 0.5mg twice a day for five years, I wasn't told by my doctor that it is addictive and not for long-term use. I told the doctor I wanted to stop taking it, and he advised me to wean myself off it. After 3 months of reducing it, I stopped completely, and during the weaning process, I never experienced any withdrawal symptoms. Within a week they started: dizzy, ringing in my ears, tremors, terrible headaches, nausea, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Every time I feel a little better, all of the symptoms come back. I am told that this can go on for months. My advice, don't start on this drug."

1 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Jay
  • November 17, 2020

"I was on clonazepam for 12 years - 0.5 twice daily with the larger dose at night to help me sleep. I never increased my dose. It allowed me to have a life, a business, and a relationship and be normal again. I am now in my late 50s, and our country has decided this medication can't be taken long term, so I weaned myself off them. It was horrible, and I miss the feeling of being relaxed. So far, nothing else has worked for my anxiety, and now it is a struggle every day. Clonazepam was a lifesaver for me, and although I feel much brighter mentally off it, I struggle so much with physical exhaustion, lack of sleep, and other issues. The side effects feel like they were worth it for my quality of life, but I am unable to access this medication. As I slide into my 60s, I feel like this should not be a time I have to relearn how to be a normal human again... :( I lose 20-30 hours per week of unproductive time, I have high blood pressure, horrible insomnia, pulled muscles in my body from stress..."

10 / 10
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  • Renee
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 8, 2020

"Ok, been awhile since I posted. I’m down from 0.5 to 0.125 once daily. I use a prescribed and pharmacy-made liquid compound to get very accurate doses. I’m having no withdrawal effects right now. It’s been about 6 weeks at this dose. It’s taken nearly 8 months to get this far. In a couple of weeks, I’ll reduce again. I’ll either alternate days, or go to 0.0625 daily. Those will be my last doses. I hold the dose until symptoms calm. It’s never perfect. But I know I can get off this horrible drug. I hate the withdrawals and the anxiety after a cut, but I love getting free. We can do it. Go slow, small cuts in doses, steady progress. Do distractions and healthy eating. Remember, your brain can and will heal."

1 / 10
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246 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Bbz
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 25, 2020

"If I could rate it as a “0,” I would... You shouldn’t be on this drug for more than a couple of weeks. Clonazepam is a nightmare. I’m a month or so in on the withdrawals, and the only thing keeping me alive is my faith in God and my loved ones. It’s hard to eat, it’s hard to sleep, it’s hard to take care of myself. I would never wish this pain on anyone. Please do NOT take this drug for more than a couple of weeks. I know you feel like you should listen to your doctor over some random anon on the internet, but PLS listen. If I can warn people so they don’t have to face the same mental anguish and pain I’m in right now, I will. This is the hardest thing I’ve been through in my entire life. Be wary of ANY drug that’s a benzo. They’re awful, habit-forming, and change your judgment and decision-making... Stay away from this drug... and if your doc keeps pushing you to take it, get a new doctor."

1 / 10
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208 Report
  • New...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 29, 2020

"Six years ago, when my husband died suddenly, my PCP gave me a prescription for clonazepam (1 mg) at bedtime to help with my anxiety attacks and as a sleep aid. I had to call her every month for a refill because it is a controlled substance in the U.S., and she warned that I should NOT withdraw quickly. I recently met and married a Canadian man and moved to his country. In becoming established with a new MD, I learned that they do not like to prescribe clonazepam here. I had reduced my dose from 1 mg to 1/2 mg, and when she asked about my withdrawal symptoms, she felt that I was OK and didn't prescribe more. I suppose that I am OK, but my ears are ringing, my skin is burning, I had blazing headaches, and severe muscle pain for the first two weeks that I was off the 1/2 mg dose; I haven't had a good night's sleep since reducing my dose from 1 mg to 1/2 and now to none at all. I am anxious, have palpitations, and generally feel unwell."

10 / 10
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181 Report
  • Ekadd...
  • June 14, 2020

"I've been on Klonopin for 14 years. Started at 1 mg in the beginning and went up 2 mg every night to help with sleeping and anxiety. This drug is the most difficult drug to cut back on. I've come off Vicodin, Opiates, Tramadol, and most recently a long-term everyday Cocaine addiction. By far Klonopin is the hardest to withdraw from. I abused Klonopin and was taking up to 3.5 mg a night and mixed that in with Cocaine addiction and withdrawal. To be honest, I'm not sure how I never went to the hospital. Unfortunately, I have a high tolerance for pills and managed to run a business and maintain a somewhat normal life. On top of everything, I'm bipolar with a major addiction problem. Finally, I decided that I need and want a life without drugs. To everyone going through this process, there is a silver lining and the Klonopin fog will get better and in return make you a stronger person. A little discomfort but the result is the greatest feeling in the world not having to rely on a pill."

3 / 10
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185 Report
  • Betsy
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 5, 2019

"When you come off, go slow. I used a metal fingernail file. Just file the pill down a little bit. About every 5 days, file a bit more. I am almost done after 5 years at 1 mg a day. Took about 2 1/2 months. Very light and manageable side effects."

9 / 10
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200 Report
  • Gord...
  • February 7, 2020

"Been on Klonopin for 30 years almost. Took it for problems with OCD and anxiety. Decided to get off it as I feared possible neurological damage. Was on a dose of 1.5mg a day, felt in the end I was just addicted to the drug. Started tapering off from the current 1.5mg level roughly around September of 2019. By early January of 2020, I was down to one half to pill to one pill a day. Hadn't noticed any severe withdrawal symptoms except some minor anxiety, memory issues, some confusion. By middle of January stopped taking any. Did ok for 12 days then the real nightmare began. Had multitude of problems; insomnia, depression, gastrointestinal issues, blood pressure issues, some memory problems, confusion, severe OCD, paranoia, feelings of suicide. My recommendation would be don't use this medication for longer than few weeks at lowest dose possible and only in situations where it's warranted. Myself hopefully I get through it but I wonder about the future."

1 / 10
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173 Report
  • Chrissy
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • March 2, 2020

"I have been on this medication clonazepam off and on since I was 19 for benzo withdrawal. I am now 25, and have been taking it regularly for 2 1/2 years. I was prescribed 8 mg a day, now 4 mg, but have somehow managed to get down to 1 mg a day and trying to get below that is nearly impossible. It is the only thing that has helped my anxiety, but the horrid withdrawals aren't worth it at all! Terrible muscle twitches, cold sweats, feeling like I'm going insane. I'm so afraid of having a seizure so I end up taking my regular dosage out of fear, so it's an endless cycle. Please be cautious with this medication. I regret ever even taking clonazepam."

1 / 10
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163 Report
  • Gord...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • May 11, 2020

"Been on Benzos for many years. I've decided last September to taper off slowly. Well, by the middle of February 2020, I was off them completely for 12 days. Unfortunately, my OCD and anxiety came back so strong that I felt I was going to go crazy. I couldn't sleep or eat or think straight. So I went back to one pill a day and, of course, symptoms vanished. I still want off them but the withdrawal drives me to the point I wonder if I will survive... Help!!! Any suggestions?"

1 / 10
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152 Report
  • Young...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 20, 2019

"I have taken clonazepam 1 mg, 4 times a day for over 15 years. 120 tablets 1 mg per month. My doctor & I are tapering over a LONG period of time. We reduced the script to 110 1 mg tablets (will do for 2 months) (VERY SLOW TAPERING). The next refill was 100, 1 mg tablets (did this for 2 months). I now have 80 1 mg for a month (cut all in half). I tried to cold turkey & ended up in the emergency room. DO NOT cold turkey this medication! I was prescribed this med about 15 years ago. So my body is dependent on it, but not for much longer! I have gone from 120-1 mg pills per month to 80 1 mg tablets per month. The next refill will be 75 1 mg per month for 2 months. And so on. Talk to your doctor about everything, your rough days, etc. Taper over a slow period!! Hope this was helpful. I still have some months to go, but feeling much better physically & mentally! Good luck! You can do it!"

6 / 10
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161 Report
  • Kitty
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 12, 2021

"I've been on 0.25 to 0.5 mg of clonazepam three times per day as needed for anxiety for about 4 years. I started out taking 'as needed' but had to take more and more to get the same relief. Six months ago I was fed up. I took 3 mg and flushed the rest of my pills. Four days later I ended up in the ER and then a psych hospital for a week where the doctor scolded me for quitting cold turkey. I started tapering 0.5 mg per week until I got to 1 mg per day. I am now at 0.25 mg once a day for a week and will then go to 0.125 mg and hopefully be done. My husband has been a saint putting up with me. I've had tremors, jaw shakes, anxiety, depression, mind going into overdrive, depersonalization, seeming like the world is fake, just know it has been horrible. I'm hoping the worst is over. And believe me, when I'm finally clonazepam free, I will flush the rest of the pills and never go back."

1 / 10
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104 Report
  • Renee
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 10, 2020

"Posted plans to titrate from 0.175 to 0.125 x 1 daily clonazepam. I did near the end of January. It’s been okay. Easier than 0.25 to 0.175 was. Some mild reactions, worst being brain zaps. That lasted only 2 days. Some spaced feelings in head, but okay. Sleeping well most nights, but taking 300 mg gabapentin. It’s hard to cut these pills smaller. Doctor says only 2 weeks at this dose, then alternate nights for 2 weeks, then stop. Nervous, it seems fast. I may cut this 0.125 in half for a few weeks first. Today is the 2 weeks point. I really want off of this. I advise never start clonazepam, or titrate really slow. Once you adjust to a cut, do not go back up. Slow and steady. I’ve had tremendous stressors during this titration, my sister passed away a few days ago. But I tell myself this: Life stressors will always exist. Nothing is an excuse for increasing these meds. Just feel and keep going. I expect to be free by my birthday March 21."

1 / 10
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124 Report
  • Eddy
  • July 22, 2019

"I've been taking clonazepam for 10 years. Started at 0.5 mg, after that, I went up to 1 mg. It was prescribed for insomnia. Worked great, but as a side effect, not its intentional use. I decided to taper off to 0.75 mg, and now currently on 0.5 mg. The withdrawals I'm experiencing are palpitations, insomnia, and a warm sensation that travels throughout my extremities. I feel so out of it. I feel depressed. Please don't take this drug. Taper off slowly. Good luck to all of us trying to get off any benzo. Wish I would've done some research, but I was desperate and trusted a professional."

6 / 10
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124 Report
  • Jawwer
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 11, 2020

"Sad to read all these bad experiences. I guess I am a lucky one. I started with 4mg dose (a very high starting dose, yes! If I only had known back then...) for severe GAD 2+ years ago and was instructed to take 4mg at once before going to bed, which I did for around a year. Then I kind of skipped doses, and there were multiple days in a row I didn't take anything, on some days just 1mg. Now I am taking 1mg a few times a week, if even that. Haven't had any kind of side effects or negative symptoms so far. Now, that Covid-19 is here, I have decided to take even less and eventually (hopefully) stop this for good. GAD still exists, though, but the medicine has helped me through some tough spots. I guess this medicine is very different on the individual level."

9 / 10
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108 Report
  • Dani
  • October 13, 2019

"I've been on clonazepam 0.5mg for three years now. Six months ago, I started having really bad vertigo. My PCP said I can just stop it completely without fear of seizures because I'm at such a low dose and I wasn't abusing it. I have been weaning myself off week by week. I'm down to 1/4 of 0.5mg, taking it two days, then nothing for one day, and then again for two days. I'm hoping to be done by November or by the end of November at the latest. I will post again once I'm off and recovered to share any symptoms. Best of luck to all trying to get off the medication."

2 / 10
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116 Report
  • Orp
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 22, 2021

"I hope I can keep someone from going through this nightmare that I'm going through. Was on 3 mg daily for a year, over time, I grew dependent, and they stopped helping and causing worse anxiety and panic attacks upon waking. I didn't wean off properly and am in acute withdrawal. I'm suicidal, and my life is falling apart. Please stay away from this awful drug. IT WILL RUIN YOUR LIFE!"

5 / 10
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90 Report
  • Claire
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • February 16, 2020

"My GP prescribed Klonopin for me for anxiety several years ago - BIG MISTAKE... I should have done my homework before EVER taking it! I was taking 2 milligrams per day. A relative of mine, & my G.I. doctor told me just how addictive it was, & I decided that I wanted to wean off of it. My GP suggested to take 2 milligrams for the first 2 weeks, then to take 1 milligram for the second 2 weeks, & then take 1/2 milligram for the next 2 weeks. He doesn't have a clue how to wean me off of it, & he honestly doesn't care. I'm almost done the 1/2 milligram for 2 weeks, & needless to say - I'M MISERABLE?!!! First of all, if I'd ever known how addictive it was, I NEVER would have taken it in the first place. I've never abused it, but my body feels like it's being abused NOW! I'm having heart palpitations, headaches, stomach pains, etc. I would welcome any suggestions..."

3 / 10
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105 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 4, 2021

"I started on 0.5mg for anxiety & panic attacks. Doctor recommended I take 2-4 times a day. I did that for 2 months then stopped to a few times a week. When I didn't take the medication every 3 days I feel like I was having a panic attack so I would take it thinking it was my anxiety but only to find out it was my body going through withdrawal. I'm trying to get off for good because this has only made me feel worse. Very depressed, stomach issues, bad headaches, arms hand and legs would get tingles and feel like my heart is about to pop from my chest. After doing a bunch of research and speaking with my doctor I was going to taper myself off but since I haven't taken it in 4 days I'm just going to continue to ride this horrible experience out and hope I get better within the weeks to come. If you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks please try something your body won't depend on. Didn't think it could happen to me and it did."

1 / 10
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74 Report
  • Acupunk
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 12, 2021

"HORRENDOUS drug. I became severely dependent on it over the course of 4 years and didn't even know it. I didn't take it every day. Basically, I felt fine until I didn't. Now I live with debilitating physical and mental symptoms. It has cost me my livelihood, and living is hard work most days. I have been trying to get off by micro-tapering for 18 months now and using diazepam to do so. It is still agony. DO NOT take BENZOS. I took responsibly. Clonazepam is extremely potent in particular. Avoid like the plague - it can destroy your life."

1 / 10
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67 Report
  • ABano
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 24, 2020

"I started taking clonazepam after back-to-back panic attacks in the middle of the night that kept me awake. I started taking 1 mg a day in late 2014. I moved to a different state last January and could not obtain a prescription. So, I started taking a lower amount to make it last. I felt I was losing my mind mainly due to no sleep. I went back to my home state a couple of times and got a prescription with intentions to wean off. Now, 8 months later and taking 0.5mg every other day. I try to go 2-3 days in between, but I get terribly sick. I've been depressed. Can't get things moving with my career (self-employed). I can't take it anymore! I intend to start cutting the doses to 0.25mg a day instead of 0.5mg every other day. I think I will take advice to put this in a solution or use a nail file as I have read. Please post your updates with your weaning process, and I will do the same. It helps. Pray you all can get yourself off this junk."

5 / 10
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85 Report
  • Tdmr
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 3, 2020

"I took 0.5 Klonopin for 4 months and now I am physically addicted. I never used it to get "high", I just used it as prescribed. It is not a high dose. But I have horrible withdrawal when I stop, including horrible mental anguish."

1 / 10
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73 Report
  • JJano
  • July 13, 2019

"UPDATE (2019-07-13): I am 3 weeks into my tapering plan (reducing 1/4 mg every 7-10 days) and on track. I'm down from 2mg to 1.25mg and it's been manageable but not comfortable. It's taking a full week to accept the lower amount without symptoms of headache, tight jaw, diarrhea, and general discomfort. I have continued to work and live normally. Original post: My doctor informed me that this drug, which I have been taking for years for general anxiety, is now on a list of 'reported drugs' every time it gets refilled. She suggested I wean off of it and use Lexapro instead, which is not physically addicting. I knew I was addicted to Clonazepam because even a 1-day delay in refilling caused major withdrawal symptoms such as my hands shaking and headache. I was taking 2mg a day and I am tapering (1/4 of a 1mg tablet) each week. If all goes well, I should be down to 1mg in 4 weeks. Then, I will re-evaluate how to get off the 1mg. So far, just tapering from 2 tablets to 1 3/4. Will update."

1 / 10
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83 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.