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Withdrawal concerns

I have taken clonazepam off and on for the past year, and over the past 2 weeks I have used it more often (the max taken in a day was 2mg).  I am starting Wellbutrin XL 150 tomorrow, and I know not to abruptly stop the clonazepam, but I want to know if there is a way to safely taper down without risking seizures at some point.
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6300934 tn?1380688141
I actually am a recovering Benzo addict- and I did add to check with your doctor... I also am trained in working with Benzo addiction. I do agree with your opinion, and thank-you for being polite about my information, or disinformation in your opinion. Everyone is different, I am new here and I appreciate the candor, truly.. I apologize for sounding so dismissive...
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Avatar universal
Finally, a reply that makes sense! As someone with personal experience on Benzo's...I was upset that the first reply said, not to worry basically. I am in total agreement with you. NO ONE person can predict how another person can react to tapering down off of this type of drug, or any drug for that matter. I am NOT in the medical profession, but I do have experience taking benzo's and weaning off. In fact, I am pregnant now, and was worried about being on kolonopin...but the OB has me "weaning" safely off of it, because the risks of stopping cold turkey are too high! So I hope that OP looks at your reply and takes THAT advice. Too many people give out "medical" type advice which can be potentially dangerous to another person who listens. To OP: Only your doctor should be giving you advice and instructions on how to wean off...or down. Be careful, I have been there and went too fast years ago...and I had health issues because of that. Go slow and listen to prescribing doc.
Best of luck to you!
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480448 tn?1426948538
I respectfully disagree with your posts.

Medications can have more than one classification, and indeed benzodiazepines are ones that do.... hypnotic, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant.  Medication classifications are determined not only by mechanism of action, but also by considering the kinds of conditions those medications treat.  Benzodiazepines are not typically used as a maintenence seizure medication, true, but they are used in various circumstances for seizure treatment.

I also disagree with telling the OP the following:

"Where you are such a low dose, you are currently not at risk of seizing, no worries there!"  

Every situation is different, and there is simply NO way anyone can say emphatically that the OP is not at risk for seizures.  Many factors would go into determining the patient's risk, including dose of medication, frequency, duration of medication course, the half-life of said medication, a patient's ability to properly metabolize and excrete the med, and any underlying issues that may lower a person's seizure threshold, just to name a few.  

As a basic rule, benzos should always be tapered, unless a person has truly only been taking them very sporadically, here and there on an "as needed" basis.  Even people who take a benzo PRN sometimes can be at risk, if they take the medication with any regular frequency, and a person does not have to take a medication for a long time to require tapering.  This particular OP has been taking it on and off for about a year, and has been taking it more regularly for a couple weeks.  Klonopin has a long half life, which could very possibly lead to issues if it's stopped abruptly.

Merry...please consult with your doctor about how to proceed.  Your doc will help you formulate a safe taper plan, to ensure you don't run into any problems.  Most likely, you won't have to go through a very long taper, but it's still important to work towards getting the medication out of your system gradually, just to be on the safe side.  Best of luck to you, please let us know how you're doing!
Helpful - 0
6300934 tn?1380688141
Yes, Benzodiazepines are infact used to treat epilepsy and other seizure disorders- however it is NOT an anti-/seizure convulsant based medication... It is actually considered a mild tranquilizer(sedative) that works by slowing down the central nervous system. Also, Benzodiazepine's are not the first choice for the treatment for seizure disorders. Studies have also shown that prolonged use of Benzodiazepine's in the long run for such disorders becomes less effective..
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Avatar universal
I don't think the above is accurate -- since you have been on a benzo for a while, and all benzos are also anti-seizure medications, you shouldn't quit abruptly -- nobody can predict how high that risk is.  As for tapering down, the speed of a taper is up to the individual and how easily it goes, so there's no generalization for it.  You go according to your speed.  However, just something to consider, wellbutrin is a stimulating antidepressant and isn't usually used where anxiety is the main problem -- it's used where depression is the main problem or in conjunction with an ssri where certain side effects occur.  So for now I wouldn't, if it were me, start quitting the clonazepam given that wellbutrin is known to be stimulating and might create anxiety.  It might not, and hopefully it won't, but given that is  the way it works I would stay on the benzo for now in case you need it.  
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6300934 tn?1380688141
Where you are such a low dose, you are currently not at risk of seizing, no worries there! Unless you have a prior health condition that leave you at risk or if you have experience seizures previously.. Wellbutrin should help with anxiety. There is also Hydroxypam- a concentrated form of Benadryl basically; it can help you with anxiety and rest. Check with your doctor about potential interactions to be safe :) If possible, try to wean down to atleast 0.5mgs. Benzo withdrawls are very severe in the psychologically and neurologically- utter hell basically if you jump off too quick. Best of luck to you and always remember, one day at a time, even one minute at a time- every second and sincere actions towards your recovery is a victory!
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