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Clonazepam Weaning Schedule

by Apostacious, Jun 28, 2007 12:00AM
I've been on clonazepam for 4 years from a psychiatrist.  I started at 1mg for anxiety disorder, and 8 or so months ago got upped to 3mgs.  Well, I started weaning when a pdoc demanded I do in late March.  So, I did just that.  His weaning schedule was a bit harsh and he was the freaking addiction specialist for the Community Health Center.  Luckily I had a few refills left to wean slower.  If I strictly followed his weaning schedule I'd be off of them as of today.  Well, I still have enough to wean for another 3 months.  I'm currently at 1.5mgs and am going to cut down to 1.25mgs next week.  Then, 3 weeks after that, cut down to 1mg.  3 weeks after that cut down to .75mgs.  24 days after that cut down to .5mgs.  24 days after that cut down to .25mgs and then after being on .25mgs for a couple months cut it in half and stay at .125mgs until I run out.  So, that's my plan.

My question is, does this weaning schedule help at all?  Is it the same thing as going c/t off 3mgs?  
Member Comments (6)

by Apostacious, Jun 28, 2007 12:00AM
Another thing I forgot to add is that I absolutely cannot get Valium, nor can I have a long drawn-out taper due to money (unemployed).  I have been to all of the benzo sites and they all seem to say I'm in for a protracted withdrawal.  So be it, I just want to see if anyone's had success with withdrawing somewhat fast from clonazepam (although a 6-month taper isn't as bad as others I've heard of).

by Ga Guy, Jun 28, 2007 12:00AM
My Mom weaned off this **** and it took her over a year. She tried a quicker taper and she had wd's (SEVERE) for close to a year. I have no idea how she took it. She finally went back on (after I screamed at her multiple days) and she weaned down 1/8th of a 1mg tablet a month. After a year or so, she's much better now. I would say to find a understanding doc, and take it slow with this stuff.

by FLaddict, Jun 28, 2007 12:00AM
NO matter what you HAVE to taper off... stopping without doing so is very dangerous... it will help to taper... the slower and lower you taper will help the WD and its severity... You may have some anxiousness, trouble sleeping etc.. but that is way better than the likelihood of seizures and suicidal thoughts is you stopped too soon... Keep at it.. you are doing great.. I know it seems long and drawn out but it will be worth it.. you will be doing it in a healthy way..

by Steve L, Jun 29, 2007 12:00AM
To: weaning off benzos
I am in a similar predicament with xanax, only because my pdoc will be retiring in a couple years an no other docs around here will prescribe it. I can tell you that I was once on 20mg (YES 20mg) klonopin a day for the better part of a year and weaned doawn to zero in 8 months. I started trembling so violently I was put on hi dose xanax so I'm kinda chasin my tail, but I know where youre coming from. It is awful how we can end up on high doses of this stuff by well intentioned Drs and go thru hell to save our skins in the end. Klonopin packs about the same punch as xanax per mg, and it has a longer half life so it stays in your system longer. It is nothing to take lightly.I am using a 2mg klon to wean off the xanax and its taking a long time. I can stay on the klon at this dosage if I need to. I know I'm rambling but I hope this helps.

by wesel, May 04, 2008 09:12PM
I have been on clonazepam for 17 years now.  I'm now at 6 mg.  I want to get off but don't know how.  My doc would gladly take me off of it but i've been on it so long I haven't discussed it with him.  Basically I'm scared to get off something that's known to be addictive and been using it for so long.  I don't even know if I want to live without it.  I think i'm totally hooked and need to get off of it.

                                         IT

by bubbaganoosh, May 05, 2008 07:36AM
have a peek here, seems the way to go is switch to longer acting benzo

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

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