How to taper off clonazepam?.

Sorry, but this response is misguided. Every body reacts differently and stopping 2mg Klonopin cold turkey, understand the circumstances seemed to make it necessary, is highly unwise. Review the literature and think carefully about a response that could harm another individual. IMO

I have recently started a taper off 5mg after 10 yrs use. Educate yourself on the options via reputable resources, The Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. I want to use a micro taper and holding after, not recommending in any fashion, a cut from .5 to .375mg, much more than the recommended 5 - 10% per month hold. I took a calculated risk, however will not take such a large cut again as previously made the mistake of cutting to .25mg which was completely unsustainable and returned to .5mg relatively quickly, stabilized, and tried again 6/1/24 and still on .375mg. May hold another 30 days, unsure as yet. Would not give credence to any recommendation that tapering isn’t necessary at a low dose, given physical dependency most assuredly has developed after 5 years. Seizures as pointed out in one response is one of a multitude of possible side effects resulting, for many, from cold turkey, rapid taper, etc. Unless, perhaps, you have been taking extremely sporadically over the course of 5 years. Even then, would still taper. Consult with a reputable doctor, if you can find one. Mine is not knowledgeable about tapering but is supportive of a patient led taper.

Tapering is absolutely necessary for you and any medical professional would attest to that! I tapered off after only two months of use and it was still really very difficult physically and emotionally for about a month. Try meditating and exercise and just know that eventually you can do it. I worked with a psychiatrist for help to do it. Good luck to you. ❤️

By the way, he prescribed .025 strength doses so that there was no cutting of pills involved. Eventually you get down to one of those a day and then just stop. My original dose was .5 a day like you.

I completely agree with Hiker2024. Thank you for your articulate reply!
I was taking .5mg 2x daily. I had withdrawal symptoms when I stopped my morning dose. Honestly thought I had a bad flu. By the time I realized I was in withdrawal it was the 4th day. Ask questions, even if it is a small dose. My body had a hyper sensitive reaction someone else not so much.

).5 mg is very low dose of clonazepam. You're right, everyone must be an advocate for themselves and do some research. That was my opinion and I'll stick by it. That is a terribly low dose. But cutting the tablet in half or smashing it into powder and dividing it up into portions is what I suggested as well. Let's try the options available and go forward. Doctors can be called via Telehealth for info as well. Be well!

I was on the same .5 mg dose and when I mentioned the low dose to my doctor, he said, that is NOT a low dose. Maybe lower than most here as everyone seems to unknowingly become dependent on it and needs higher doses over time. And after just one month on .5mg it was screwing with my CNS in a major way. Now I suppose I am an anomaly perhaps but .5mg is probably the intended dosage from the manufacturer of this crap. And anyone on it for more than 2 weeks (which is what is recommended - same as proton pump inhibitors) becomes dependent on the meds. and never realize it. That's the reason why you need to do a long taper, its because without the long taper you really can get messed up. If your body wasn't dependent they wouldn't tell you that tapering was highly recommended.

So what is the half life of clonazepam in the body? I think I read where it is 12 hours. So, tapering off does not need to be such long duration if you do some math on it. I rely on it for relief of my symptoms of general anxiety disorder (GAD). I was just in yesterday to see my PCP and I asked outright to recommend a replacement for the clonazepam 2 mg. There was no viable alternative on which the doctor was willing to spend time working out a program. Why? Because the 2 mg dose is so low, along with the risk of side effects. If a patient just wants to avoid a dependency for that purpose alone, I think that a marvelous objective.

With all due respect, there are no alternative meds to a benzodiazepine, precisely why your PCP gave no such recommendation, and the 2mg dose is not relevant. As well, 2mg is not a low dose. It’s your prerogative to taper as you wish, even if not guided by the latest research supporting a slow taper. I’m rather unclear on the purpose of the post, presumably to share an opinion that is not backed by evidence. Calculating a taper plan is quite a bit more complicated than doing some half life math in the absence of physical dependency considerations, etc. etc. As well, PCP’s are generally not knowledgeable about safe benzodiazepine taper methods, nor are many psychiatrists for that matter.

You obviously don't understand this medication. Why don't you read the Ashton Manual on this subject. Read about withdrawal symptoms and how long they can persist in some people, especially those who stop cold turkey. This medication can stay in ones tissue for long periods of time, months and even longer. Research is still trying to figure out for how long. I'm not sure where you've heard 12 hour half life but thats BS. Why do people have withdrawal effects for weeks/months, even longer from being on this med. if it's nowhere to be found? Like I said - most people on this med are addicted (but nobody wants to use that term since it correlates to street drugs) so they say dependent which they are unknowingly. Why do you think people need to have their doses upped to get the same effect? Luckily some people deal with this potent benzo just fine while others do not. But many are stuck and experienmce issues long past 12 hours after stopping the med. The taper recommended alone should speak volumes.