Klonopin and Withdrawal: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Eri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 16, 2017

For Anxiety "This drug should not be prescribed for more than two weeks (and this has been known since the eighties). Most doctors in the USA don't have a clue about what benzos do to the lives of the patients they are prescribing to, and especially how difficult it is for patients to withdraw from these drugs. I was completely dependent on clonazepam after 30 days and remained on it for about eight years before I realized I had to get off of clonazepam if I wanted a chance to become healthy again. It took me 7 horrifying months to taper off, and I became disabled during that time. I lost about 85% of my long- and short-term memory during that time. I am educated, but I did not research this drug before I took it. Please don't make that mistake."

• Eva...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 12, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I have taken varying doses of clonazepam for almost 30 years. Some of those years I took none at all. As a highly anxious person in general, I was scared to even try it for fear of addiction, withdrawal, etc. But after a particularly bad panic attack where I felt I was going to lose my mind, I asked my psychiatrist for Klonopin, because several people in my family have used it with great success. It is the very best benzo I have tried for anxiety and panic; it has a long half-life, which means (for me) that when I finally clear it, I am so far removed from the anxiety or panic-inducing thoughts that I don't simply just fall back into the abyss. I have a deep and abiding respect for this drug, as it has arrested several near falls into runaway anxiety that always leads me to my most feared outcome: a major depressive episode. You can take it sublingually for quicker effect; it has a sweet, benign taste."

• j d...
• November 25, 2019

For Panic Disorder "A doctor started me on Klonopin for my anxiety following a crystal methamphetamine addiction. Started gradually at 0.50 mg. Eventually, she felt the need to bump me up to 1 mg 3 times a day. It worked really well the entire time I was taking it. One day I decided I didn’t need it anymore, and then boom, withdrawals appeared. Some of the worst symptoms I’ve ever had. I had to go back to rehab to keep myself from having seizures. The recommended time to be on this medication is 6 weeks. I was on it for two years."

• Mit...
• November 16, 2016

For Anxiety "I was prescribed .5 mg to be taken 2 times daily for anxiety. At first, I would only take a single .5 mg dose every once in a while if I had an anxiety issue, which seemed to help a bit. Well, last week I was anxious most of the week, so I decided to take a single, .5 mg dose once a day for 4 days straight. Boy, was that a bad idea!!! 2 days after stopping, my anxiety symptoms skyrocketed multiple times worse than before I even started the medicine. I had severe withdrawal symptoms for over a week after and didn't know a dependence could be gained in such a short period of time. My psychiatrist even said it was nearly impossible for that short a period at that dose. I won't continue this medication. Beware!"

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 26, 2019

For Panic Disorder "It works very well. But it made me dull and sleepy. 2 mg a day on occasion isn't a problem. The half-life is over a day, so if you take it a lot or are told to take it daily, it will build up. If you have these problems, try a benzo that has fewer active metabolites and a shorter half-life. These side effects are much lower. Also, tolerance builds up over time, requiring more of the drug for the same effects. Withdrawal can be terrible, and the higher the dosage, the longer the suffering lasts."

• Sca...
• October 29, 2019

For Seizure Prevention "Klonopin was great for my seizures until it wasn’t. I have seizures in my sleep. I started with 1.5 mgs, then went up to 4 mgs. I have been on Klonopin, Clonazepam for 32 years! I noticed it stopped working, but I had to take it or no sleep at all. I finally went to a specialist for sleep. I got off of it, but too fast - 4 weeks went through withdrawals and went back on. I was getting used to Gabapentin. I decided to trick my body into not missing it. I tapered down, but I take 5-7 weeks in between dropping the dose. It has taken me 6 months to get below the halfway mark, but I made a mistake this drop and 6 weeks later I'm still feeling it. I only took 35 days....and I now know I should have lowered the amount I am dropping. I was dropping .5. Klonopin has a long half-life, it takes about 3-4 days before the body registers it and about 2 weeks to adjust depending on dosage and time. I might feel this for up to 2 years after the last dose. I am hoping a slow taper will help lessen that."

• 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."

• Fee...
• August 29, 2009

For Anxiety "I started off 0.5 mg 2x per day. I now take 1 mg of Klonopin 3x per day. I no longer have the unsteadiness on my feet, and my anxiety has decreased even more (this despite being unemployed, as well as being a burn patient with severe nerve pain). Only caveat is to take exactly as prescribed, otherwise, I will become dependent or have severe withdrawal if taken more than supposed to."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

"STAY AWAY FROM KLOPINOPIN OR GET OFF VERY SLOWLY BY TAPERING ASAP!!! I used to read these reviews before starting this drug for sleep and thought those that had a bad experience were probably abusing the med or those that lost everything due to the drug already had issues. Not true!!! You can be so healthy, take the dose as prescribed, and still end up in a nightmare. If I can save one person from starting this drug or any benzo/z-drug, then I will have filled part of my purpose in life. Benzos are highly dangerous, highly addictive drugs, even at the lowest dose, and withdrawals are excruciating and lengthy. DO NOT EVER TAKE FOR ANY REASON. Your initial problem will seem like nothing compared to what this drug creates."

• 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."

• met...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I'm prescribed to not take more than 1 mg per day as needed. Typically, I take between 0 and 4 mg per WEEK. Been on it for almost a year now. Taking it in this way has yielded zero negative results. I never get withdrawal symptoms the weeks, and (on a very rare lucky month) I don't take it. At this dose, combined with the Effexor and Trazodone, it's enough to end any panic attack within about 1 hour tops. I literally only take it when I have panic attacks. If you suffer from panic/anxiety and are OK using this only when you feel you really need it, it's a pretty good med. I don't doubt that those who are on ridiculous doses like 3 mg+ per day will have withdrawal issues, as this is a benzo after all. It also helps with my Autism symptoms. I'd say this drug is excellent if all you need is a once or twice weekly emergency med. I have not experienced consistently daily doses, so I have no input to that effect."

• 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."

• 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."

• Wor...
• December 9, 2011

For Anxiety "My mom was put on 0.25 mg nightly Klonopin after having likely withdrawal and memory issues from Ambien. She experienced anxiety, panic attacks, and random episodes of fright/panic and memory loss. The doctors, of course, raised the dose to 0.5 mg given the anxiety, and the symptoms got worse - more anxiety, random attacks, and withdrawal symptoms in the morning. So they raised it to 0.75 mg, and she got even worse. I had to take control of the situation and spread the medicine out to 3x 0.25. This helped significantly, but nervousness continued. The doctor, not understanding her sensitivity, decided to reduce the frequency, not the dose, and this resulted in terrible withdrawal symptoms. Now using dissolved 0.125 mg rapid dissolve tablets to titrate off."

• Gho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 11, 2022

For Seizure Prevention "This medicine is for short-term use, not long-term. Around 2016, a black box label was placed on this medication. In the past, I went through withdrawals because I did not have the proper doctor. I live with protracted withdrawals, a.k.a. PAWS. I went through depersonalization. It was and still is a living nightmare. Want the truth about Klonopin? I would suggest that before anyone starts taking this medication, read the Ashton Manual. You can find it online and can read all about how this medication has negative side effects. I wish I would have known what I know now years ago. People don't have any idea what this medication can do. I had a seizure and came close to death. Having a doctor is very important, one that will work with you. Let me make this clear: all of my medicine was written by a professional doctor. PAWS effects can last forever, depending on how long you have been on this medication. Research is the key word."

• Gho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 11, 2022

For Seizure Prevention "This medicine is for short-term use, not long-term. Around 2016, a black box label was placed on this medication. In the past, I went through withdrawals because I did not have the proper doctor. I live with protracted withdrawals, aka PAWS. I went through depersonalization, and it was and still is a living nightmare. Want the truth about Klonopin? I would suggest that before anyone starts taking this medication, read the Ashton Manual. You can find it online and can read all about how this medication has negative side effects. I wish I would have known what I know now years ago. People don't have any idea what this medication can do to you. I had a seizure and came close to death. Having a doctor is very important, one that will work with you. Let me make this clear: all of my medicine was written by a professional doctor. PAWS effects can last forever, depending on how long you have been on this medication. Research is the key word."

• lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

"Just watching a CNN special with Lisa Ling. Stay away from this drug. The withdrawal symptoms often lead to suicidal thoughts. Your doctor will switch you to Valium to ease the craziness you will experience, but this can be worse. Stay far away."

• Pha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2018

For Panic Disorder "This drug is responsible for ruining many lives. It should be a highly illegal substance considering how it permanently damages your brain. You will think it is sent from heaven initially, only to be plunged into unimaginable depths once you reach tolerance and have to wean off this poison. I've had protracted withdrawal symptoms for nearly 4 years after stopping this drug. I would give anything and everything to just have my original anxiety back. People have died from this drug, and many more have had their lives ruined beyond repair. Check on the internet about benzo injuries to see for yourself. The biggest mistake of my life was trusting my doctor that this pill was safe."

• 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."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2014

For Panic Disorder "A very good medication. I never felt so calm in my entire life. Withdrawals from it do suck though. I take it as needed"

• Zab...
• September 10, 2009

For Panic Disorder "Long life and half-life, no anxiety spikes between doses. Less withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing. Also less sedating even at 2 mg, 3 times a day compared to Xanax."

• lau...
• November 7, 2016

For Anxiety "Stay away from this nightmare drug. It can most likely cause depression and more. It's dangerous. I had withdrawals for months. Horrible."