Klonopin and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Tim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2022

"My sister and brother were helped by Klonopin due to having depression and PTSD anxiety. After having suffered from severe leg pain due to my need for back surgery, I had a severe anxiety/panic attack that went on for 3 days, and I needed serious help or I couldn’t continue working through my constant pain. I was originally prescribed Xanax, which worked well, but still gave me too much of a high and then a low that followed, which I didn’t like. My wife found articles about Xanax that showed that it was super addictive, so I changed to Klonopin for those 2 reasons. After being prescribed Klonopin and it finally balanced my mood and life, even though my back and hip pain have been constant, even after 4 back surgeries and 20 years, my doctor recently changed my anxiety med while I went on a weekend vacation. But, after ruining my vacation with a drug that did nothing for me, I spent my weekend in extreme anxiety. My doctor immediately put me back on Klonopin. No issues since."

• Yog...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 9, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Ok, here goes. Klonopin is by far the best drug for anxiety, period, for me. Everyone is different, of course, and I have never felt the need to take more than necessary. In fact, I always try to take less. SSRIs did nothing for me, in fact, they made me more anxious. Any drug, if taken too much or abused, can cause serious issues. Also, keep in mind who your reviewers are - me included. Most people who have a bad experience will review, good experiences don't even think about writing a review. I think the ratings would be closer to 9.5 if everyone took the time to write a positive review. As we all know, people are more likely to comment when they have negative outcomes, and that’s understandable. People who take this medication also tend to have anxiety, panic, GAD like myself, and can be very in touch with every perceived symptom within their body. In my opinion, way more than the average Joe walking down the street. In other words, take these reviews for what they are worth - a single person's opinion, and often a person who is suffering to find anything that will make them feel better."

• JCa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 13, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I had severe panic disorder beginning in 1992. I couldn’t function. My doctor prescribed Prozac 20 mg daily and Klonopin 0.25 in the morning and 0.25 at night. I had almost immediate good results and was back feeling great; calm, no anxiety, back to my old self. I’ve been on this combination for many years. It has been wonderful to be able to lead a full life!"

• Whe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Doc put me on Klonopin 2-3 mg/day after a brain injury. After a few years, my quality of life started falling quickly. After much reading, I found that Klonopin was causing the anxiety due to tolerance withdrawals, caused by increasing tolerance with no dose escalation. I was ripped off of the medication and barely survived. Six months of severe withdrawals: didn't sleep, could barely eat, muscles so stiff that walking was difficult, severe tinnitus, etc., etc. DO NOT take this medication for more than a few days or you are risking one of the most severe addictions known to man."

• Don...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2016

For Panic Disorder "My doctor began prescribing Klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day when I was 23 years old to help treat anxiety and sleep disorders. I took Xanax for 11 years, and it did help my symptoms, although I did build up a tolerance pretty fast but kept at the same dose. But when my doctor retired and a new doctor took over his practice, I was abruptly discontinued from Xanax. This was a dangerous thing to do. I began to go into withdrawals within one day without the Xanax. The withdrawals were excruciating and lasted for weeks. I was in constant extreme anxiety. Sleep was nearly totally absent for more than two weeks. My thoughts started to become almost to the point of psychosis, which also lasted for weeks. So never abruptly stop benzos unless medically supervised."

• Fir...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 8, 2016

For Anxiety "I was put on Klonopin at age 17. I took it as prescribed for 20 years, going from 0.5 mgs to 3-4 mgs a day. While it worked great for anxiety and insomnia, I wish I had never taken this medication. Last year, I was detoxed off of it. When I tapered off, I didn't sleep at all for 11 days. After that, I had extreme anxiety and agitation. I couldn't sit still for months, I had to take a non-addictive medication to be able to sleep at all. I was unable to eat well for months. Doctors don't think to tell you that this medication makes you physically dependent. You cannot stop abruptly, or you risk seizures. It is made for short-term use, about 2 weeks. I wish I had never taken this medication. I will never take another benzodiazepine again."

• Spi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 31, 2015

For Seizure Prevention "I was prescribed clonazepam by a VA psychiatrist because I was having jitteriness from an antidepressant (Paxcil). He prescribed 2 mg/day. I had been having seizures - later diagnosed as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures - for several years, and while taking clonazepam, the seizure frequency was reduced and almost completely stopped. All the regular epilepsy medications tried had no effect, only clonazepam has been effective in reducing or stopping my seizures. Paxcil, strangely, made me increasingly violent until I stopped it."

• anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Klonopin for many years. I started having weird feelings, like I was going to die. I kept ending up in the ER. The doctors kept telling me it was anxiety. I didn't understand why anxiety would make me feel this way. When the anxiety would kick in, I literally thought I was dying. My heart would race, my body would get tingles, and I would feel choked. It was scary and still is. I have tried many anxiety medicines-Paxil, Effexor, Xanax, Lamictal, Geodon, and many more. None have worked the way Klonopin works. With Klonopin, I feel safe and I do not get jittery feelings. I am so grateful to have a medication that actually works for me. If I miss a dose, I will get severe anxiety and a panic attack."

• anx...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 17, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking Klonopin for many years. I started having weird feelings, like I was going to die. I kept ending up in the ER. The doctors kept telling me it was anxiety. I didn't understand why anxiety would make me feel this way. When the anxiety would kick in, I literally thought I was dying. My heart would race, my body would get tingles, and I would feel choked. It was scary and still is. I have tried many anxiety medicines-Paxil, Effexor, Xanax, Lamictal, Geodon, and many more. None have worked the way Klonopin works. With Klonopin, I feel safe and I do not get jittery feelings. I am so grateful to have a medication that actually works for me. If I miss a dose, I will get severe anxiety and a panic attack."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 19, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed clonazepam, first at 1 mg a day. Little did I know, after two years of seeing my caring physician, we learned clonazepam has been a bit of a lifesaver for me! I suffer mainly from social anxiety with agoraphobia, afraid of new places, being seen out. A half a year into taking the medication, I titrated up to 2 mg a day as needed. My doctor 'experimented' with alprazolam PM on me for 14 days. 30 .5 mg pills. I had rebound anxiety along with a few days of panic attacks. I couldn't wait to take my dose that night of Klonopin! I was diagnosed as a bit bipolar soon after my prescriber was informed of my impulsivity and isolation. Mania was in overdrive along with severe OCD and even attention disorders stemming from a distress in the nervous system, high-strung, sensitive stomach, etc. Today, I take a total of 4 mg a day as needed, some days I take 2-3 or 3-4 mg. This medication comes in need to those like me. Other anxiolytic exercises help as well."

• Mou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 4, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin is very effective with my anxiety disorder. However, stay away from it. You will be addicted before you know it and will seek more and more. If you don't have it, you feel like you are in hell. Withdrawal symptoms are horrible, and you lose control of everything. You will get rebound anxiety, which is worse than your original anxiety. This is so bad that you cannot function without it. Therefore, you have to continue using it to avoid the withdrawal symptoms because they are so awful. Please, if your doctor prescribed this drug, refuse it and take a non-benzo drug. You will rue the day you ever started using it. I am out of medicine now and am in just terrible shape that I cannot sleep. Yes, it is very effective at treating your disorder, but it has got to be the worst drug to come off of. I was in rehab, and even the heroin abusers didn't have as bad withdrawal as I did. Yes, run away from this drug. It will help you but eventually destroy you."

• dj1...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 8, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "I have a seizure disorder that isn't epilepsy. I had an incident where I had seizures back to back for days and was sent to multiple hospitals to try to help me. When I finally came out of them, I was on Klonopin and Keppra. Keppra alone wouldn't stop them from happening again, is what I was told by medical. I also read about Klonopin and know that it is prescribed for preventing seizures and happens to be good at stopping seizures that happen quickly back to back, or whatever it was that was going on specifically with me. I am glad something worked. I have never had anything so rough and weird happen to me. I love Klonopin because I also have anxiety and insomnia, both things that Klonopin helps and eases as well, which also could be triggers for seizures or symptoms of."

• Ves...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 22, 2016

For Seizure Prevention "This medicine made me confused, slur my words, exhausted. I was basically living in a fog for over five years. No amount of sleep helped, I needed to take a nap every day and would still be tired when I woke up. I had difficulty thinking, repeated sentences, had anxiety attacks. This medication is only supposed to be given for a maximum of 2 weeks. It's highly addictive, and the user develops a high tolerance. Long-term usage can result in brain damage, and benzos are the most overly prescribed drug in the world. Withdrawal was horrible, but worth it! I got my life back after getting off of it, and I don't have anxiety or seizures, changed my lifestyle, diet, and exercise."

• kam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 9, 2014

For Anxiety "Many people are unreasonably scared of Klonopin's bad withdrawal dramas. Well... It is true. It is a painful process to get away from Klonopin once you stepped into its comfortable zone, but I want to say I would rather feel relaxed and comfortable than struggling with unnecessary anxiety caused by neurotransmitter imbalances. This medication truly gave me freedom from fear and agitation and helped me get back to my life."

• Deb...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I've been diagnosed with bipolar and severe anxiety. I saw a new psychiatrist two years ago who prescribed Klonopin. Best thing that ever happened to me. I was taking 3 mg daily. But I also take Seroquel for trouble sleeping. Together, the psychiatrist and I decided to decrease the Klonopin to 2 mg. Well, the anxiety is back after 2 years. And I'm really upset. Going to see my PCP on Tuesday and calling my psych doc as well."

• Zac...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 6, 2015

For Anxiety "I was on this medication for approximately 5 years. The last couple of years, I had increasing anxiety and depression. I never increased my initial dose of 2 mg at night to help with sleep. My PDoc continued to insist that it was not the Klonopin that was causing my anxiety and depression. Who knows? I weaned myself off of the medication SLOWLY over 4 months. It really took me that amount of time, even that may have been too fast for me. When it works, it's helpful for me. The problem is that many people tend to build a tolerance to the med and will likely need to increase the dose to get the same effect, hence feelings of withdrawal that can come on automatically. I know everyone has his/her own opinion about this drug."

• ohi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 20, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder about 6 years ago and had my share of trying different medications to get it under control. After multiple trials with medicines my doctor finally found the right combination for me (Lexapro, lithium, Depakote had sexual side effects, Synthroid, trazodone at night, multivitamins and B-1 vitamin). This combination worked great to get my mood swings under control. Once my mood swings were under control, I started having extreme anxiety attacks. I was then diagnosed with anxiety disorder as well. My doctor prescribed 0.75 mg Klonopin 3 times a day, as needed and it is a lifesaver. Klonopin knocks my anxiety down within 15 min. I have been taking it for 3 yrs with great results."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin worked well for side effects of high-dose fentanyl. Fentanyl and other opioids impart nervousness, insomnia, and can trigger serotonin syndrome. Drugs.com is the premier interaction checker. I enlightened a physician that wrote me a prescription for amitriptyline, and in combination with fentanyl, I was hospitalized for severe serotonin syndrome. I lived after 48 hours in the ER. I dropped the amitriptyline and increased my Klonopin. I lived."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 7, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I've suffered from anxiety since I was a toddler, and it has been crippling. I am also bipolar and have hypomanic episodes, which present as severe agitation and anxiety. I didn't like Xanax, so I stopped taking it. I was prescribed Klonopin (generic), I was able to breathe and function as a normal human. The problem is no one wants to prescribe it. If I had cancer, they wouldn't think twice about prescribing a treatment that works. I understand the addiction aspect, but why do I have to suffer because of others? It isn't fair. I've offered to have blood or urine tests as often as they want to prove I'm taking meds exactly as prescribed. I'm so sick of feeling like I don't matter. I also have fibromyalgia, which is horribly painful and wouldn't wish it on anyone. Klonopin actually helps with the pain, whereas Lyrica, Gabapentin, Tylenol, or ibuprofen do nothing and may as well be Tic Tacs. I'm at a loss. I don't know if this is unique to the five boroughs of NYC or if it's like this everywhere."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Was prescribed this three months ago for muscle twitching and involuntary movements related to antipsychotic withdrawal. Medication works great, sometimes too great. Am aware of the risks of taking it, but it does help insomnia, anxiety, mania, and twitching. Please be careful and don't take more than prescribed."

• Mat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 31, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I am 52 and was a nightly drinker to help with my anxiety for many years. Six months ago I decided to quit all alcohol. During that time, I was also on a huge dose of Lunesta each night. About 30 days after I stopped drinking, I began having severe and ceaseless panic attacks. I thought I was going to die! I had no idea what the heck was happening. I couldn’t function at home or work. My doctor put me on Paxil, which helped but not enough. So he added Clonazepam which has been amazing. I take 1 mg at night and sleep like a baby. I can take 0.5 mg as needed but try not to. When I don’t, I have anxiety. I am reading these reviews, which are extremely helpful to ascertain if this medication can be used for the rest of my life effectively. Please keep your reviews coming in. Your feedback helped me decide to use this medication which helped save my life. My wife and 3 beautiful kids thank you and Clonazepam!"

• blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2014

For Anxiety "I was prescribed 3mg a day but don't want to take that much so I am trying hard to taper to 2mg. I am at 2.25mg. I still sometimes feel a little bit of anxiety, not real bad, but catch myself starting to get in my head. Then I will breathe and talk myself out of my head. But why can't the medicine just keep me out of my head all the time? I never had any anxiety or panic disorder, I have always had manageable obsessive-compulsive disorder. Will I ever feel like me again? I know if I am not careful, I could become homebound and just sit and waste. I have a young daughter, and it is not fair for her. The Klonopin does work, but I feel like I can feel it wear off or that it is coming time for my next dose. Or is that all in my crazy head."

• Bxw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2025

For Panic Disorder "I have been suffering from intrusive and ruminating thoughts that I could not control. I could eat, sleep, and even get my work done. I am also having chronic health issues at 32, otherwise fit and healthy. I was on Prozac, Trintellix, Lexapro, Viibryd, and a few more. Nothing helped. I told my doctor my anxiety was causing suicidal thoughts as it worsened my depression immensely. She prescribed 0.5 mg 2x daily (1 mg per day), and oh my goodness, I actually feel sane! I'm able to drive without any anxiety, hang out with family and friends, and stop worrying about literally everything. Amazing medication."

• Dai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

For Panic Disorder "I took Klonopin for the first time because I had a panic attack while driving on the highway. My emergency room physician prescribed me 0.5 mg prn as needed. I read some of the reviews before I took the medication. There were more negative comments than positive. So I broke the pill in half and took 0.25 mg because I didn’t know how the medication would make me feel. After I took the medication, 30 minutes later, I began to feel a warm sensation through my body. I started shaking, I was nauseated for 7 hours. Then throughout the day, I felt sedated for 2 days. During this time, I was at work and couldn’t function like I wanted to, so I had to leave my job because I didn’t feel safe at work and I couldn’t stay awake. This medication didn’t work until 8 hours later, I felt normal, back to the old me. After I took that one dose, I started having withdrawal symptoms and anxiety. I felt horrible. Please stay away from this drug."

• Nes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I have an anxiety disorder, finally gave in to see a therapist, who recommended me to see a psychiatrist. I suffer from daily anxiety attacks. I've been through multiple medications that I felt didn't help me. She decided to try me with Klonopin 0.5, taking half of it in the morning and the other half in the evening. Within the week of taking it, I started experiencing nightmares, my anxiety was a lot worse, and I also felt more depressed. I felt terrible the whole time taking it. Everyone is different. Hope to find the medication that can help me with this."