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Can I take Melatonin while weaning off klonopin?

Hi,
My doctor recommended I taper off klonopin because she said it is not meant to be taken long term.  I take it for anxiety. I used to take .25 mg at night.  For about 4-6 weeks, I dropped it to .125 mg a night with no withdrawal symptoms.  Recently, I started taking .125 mg every other night and started having some withdrawal symptoms..some brain fog and problems sleeping.  I was wondering if it is safe to take melatonin on nights when I do not take klonopin.  The lack of sleep is really making for a rough day.
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!

I hope you are undergoing the withdrawal process according to your doctor’s advice. There are many ways to taper clonazepam or Klonopin. One way to do this would have been to divide the dose into two halves and take 0.125 mg morning evening for a few weeks and then take 0.125 mg everyday for another few weeks and then take 0.125mg every alternate day for a few days. Long acting benzodiazepines like diazepam or chlordiazepoxide or melatonin could have been used in tapering dose to manage withdrawals and to treat insomnia.

However, since you have followed a particular pattern, please continue that. Yes, melatonin can be taken on days you are not taking clonazepam to manage withdrawal but usually the doses are lower than normal prescription dose for insomnia. Also, this pattern cannot be followed for long and needs to be carefully monitored.

Other than this following a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and exercising also helps manage withdrawal. Other than this, yes, it would be best to avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Please consult your doctor regarding the withdrawal procedure and go as per her advice.
Good Luck and take care!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
As a side note, is there anything else I should avoid? Obviously, I don't think alcohol is a good idea. Is caffeine ok?
Helpful - 0

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