Is Klonopin withdrawal a 3 week process

[UnnarUK]

I've been using Clonazepam for about a year now.  Stuck with 0.5 mg. daily at night but then started feeling like my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder got it's second wind and felt I needed to take more of the stuff to stay in balance.

My issue is this:  Clonazepam reaches it's peak effectiveness approx 4 hours after ingestion, but when I feel I need them, I take them for immediate relief... so when a certain dose doesn't work, I take more.  I know now how the drug works so I no longer do this but if you're taking this medication, be very careful to wait 4 hours before upping the dosage.  I once took 8 tabs in one day when I got a panic attack, and the withdrawal afterward was just crazy like nothing else (except maybe Tramadol)

What is the best way to take Clonazepam to combat anxiety?  I know it's very effective, but I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

[Jimmy1975]

Hello , I have a script for Klonipin ( Clonazepam ) I am supposed to take one 1 mg dose at bedtime . Over the years I have found out it is better to not take it nightly if I am fine with anxiety at night . I have probably fifty doses because sometimes I score them and take only .5 (half ) or not at all .My doctor knows this and is fine with it and it does say at bedtime as needed on my bottle !  I do know this about Klonipin it does like you say take time to kick in . If you need fast relieve you might be better off taking Xannax instead as it takes effect within minutes of taking it but has a shorter half life then Klonipin . My doctor said its about 3 hours for Xannax and 8 hours for Klonipin . Personally I wont take Xannax as I know to many people that have told me it was the worse Hell ever getting of that . Also I go to the UCLA anxiety clinic and most doctors there will not prescribe it . I was told by my doctor they prefer to write only for Klonipin as the side effects are not nearly as hard psychologically to stop then Xannex .

[nursegirl6572]

You need to speak with your doctor.  Because you have abused the Klonopin, you probably should steer clear of it all together.  Tapering requires doctor guidance and supervision, please do not attempt it on your own.

I agree 100% with Ben.  I too, have panic disorder, and have been on short acting benzos (Ativan, Xanax), and only have ever taken them "as needed" or PRN.  When my PD was REALLY bad at one point, I WAS needing to take them every day for many months, until therapy and an antidepressant started helping.  I was weaned off carefully with no problems.  No one can give you a timeline...I will say that 3 weeks is going to be too fast, to avoid w/d's.

Bottom line, you're probably going to want to stay away from benzos.  There are LOTS of ways to address panic disorder.  You don't HAVE to take a benzo.  Have you ever tried an antidepressant?  Therapy?.... like CBT?  You need a good psychiatrist who can make some recommendations for you.  Until you get in to see your doctor, PLEASE do not abuse the Klonopin.  At least then, you will not have even more to deal with.

I alsdo want to say, the nature of how Klonopin works, you're VERY luck you didn't OD the way you were taking it.  Klonopin builds in the blood plasma.  You were "stacking" doses that weren't hitting you until much later, all at once.  Plus, with the long half life, you really put yourself in some danger.  Klonopin is a very powerful drug.

Good luck!

[Ben727]

I was prescribed benzos for panic attacks about 10 years ago. My psychiatrist at the time (he's since passed away) had me on 0.5 mg of Clonopin twice a day, morning and night, and also prescribed Xanax 1 mg to take as needed for panic attacks. He carefully explained which was long and short acting, and I took them as prescribed. He also was clear that the short-acting benzos (Xanax) have a much higher potential for abuse. I stopped taking them about 5 years ago with no WD - but I was medically supervised in my taper off them.

I can't stress enough how much I agree with Domino - if you do plan on taking benzos for a legitimate disorder, please consult your doctor, be completely honest with him, and take as prescribed. Also, many variants of panic disorder can be very, very effectively treated with cognitive behavioral therapy. It worked for me to the point where drugs were completely unnecessary after a few months of CB therapy.

[dominosarah]

Have you discussed this with your doctor?  Does he know you take more than prescribed?   There are other ways to deal with anxiety.