What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

Posted by kittymama @kittymama, Apr 7, 2019

Can anyone tell me the best way to taper off Klonopin? I feel it does nothing for my anxiety

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Profile picture for bigjohnscho @bigjohnscho

I understand the reduction of 0.125mg every 2 weeks but how does that work if you are taking a split dose. I take 0.5mg twice a day, how would I work the reduction.

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I personally would only do it with one of the doses definitely not with every dose. My opinion only.

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I'm new to these forums so forgive me if the new the Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering (sorry, apparently links aren't allowed--just google that and you'll find them, or refer to the ASAM website) have already been shared/discussed. There's also a good podcast episode/blog post on Easing Anxiety by one of the committee members with lived experience.

The guidelines include taper recommendations and emphasize that the decision to taper should be made jointly between the person and doctor...which I personally am very happy to see, as I've been forced to taper too fast in the past and had/still have protracted withdrawal syndrome from Clonazepam. Still working on it....

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Profile picture for maggielmcg @maggielmcg

I'm new to these forums so forgive me if the new the Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering (sorry, apparently links aren't allowed--just google that and you'll find them, or refer to the ASAM website) have already been shared/discussed. There's also a good podcast episode/blog post on Easing Anxiety by one of the committee members with lived experience.

The guidelines include taper recommendations and emphasize that the decision to taper should be made jointly between the person and doctor...which I personally am very happy to see, as I've been forced to taper too fast in the past and had/still have protracted withdrawal syndrome from Clonazepam. Still working on it....

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Hello @maggielmcg,

I noticed that you wished to post a URL to an article with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post is not spam. Please allow me to post it for you.

- Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering: https://www.asam.org/quality-care/clinical-guidelines/benzodiazepine-tapering

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Profile picture for bigjohnscho @bigjohnscho

I meant with a split dose of 0.5mg am and pm, how do toy organise the reductions. Do you reduce the evening tablet on one day then the morning tablet the next etc.I don’t know if I’ve made it clear but I hope you understand what I mean

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Best to have your physician direct it. I was taking 1mg per day at night. My doctor had me decrease by .25 every 6 weeks. I would hold to adjust and make another decrease. I did fine at .75 and .5 but started having anxiety and insomnia at .25 and 0.125 did practically nothing. I’ve been off for 14 months and still miss the calm and solid sleep but doing ok. I won’t go back. Good luck.

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Profile picture for con123 @con123

Best to have your physician direct it. I was taking 1mg per day at night. My doctor had me decrease by .25 every 6 weeks. I would hold to adjust and make another decrease. I did fine at .75 and .5 but started having anxiety and insomnia at .25 and 0.125 did practically nothing. I’ve been off for 14 months and still miss the calm and solid sleep but doing ok. I won’t go back. Good luck.

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I suffer from anxiety
Doctor prescribed medicines which I took for 7 days and then switched to pranayam practice for 40 min on daily basis in evening and has given me very good results not requiring medicines
I used to get high blood pressure on anxiety attacks which is now well controlled

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I am about to start the tapering process so that I can take another medication that I have to take, but which would interact with Klonopin. My doctor said it would take me about a month or so. While I only take Klonopin at night to help me sleep, I know that tapering off Klonopin will take much longer than a month. Several years ago I asked my doctor to help me get off Xanax and he set me up on a very fast schedule. When that didn't work, he sent me to a psychiatrist and she set me up on a more realistic program that took a year. I think it takes a specialist in this area to set the right schedule. When I wanted off Xanax, the circumstances were somewhat different. I was taking Xanax every day during the day and at night sometimes if I couldn't sleep and whenever I was in an anxiety provoking situation. Now I take Klonopin only at night for sleep. I take 1.0 mg.
There's a lot of advice on this site to help me taper off. I'll take it very slow. If necessary, I'll tell this physician that I'd like to be referred to a psychiatrist to help me set the right schedule.

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It took me a year to taper off 1mg at bedtime. We did a reduction every 6 weeks. .75, then .5 and I was doing fine. The struggles began at .25. The 0.125 mg did little to nothing. Even this slowly, the end was quite difficult.

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First post. Also wanting info on Klonipin taper. Started 11/6/24 at .75 for sleep after a major depressive episode. Been on taper since Early february 2025. Its been a rocky road with flare ups of anxiety, depression and insomnia. I am convinced it is from the taper because I was much more stable before. Now stuck at .375 mg ODT tabs for 4 weeks. Psychiatrist is not that helpful because when I tell her about my symptoms she wants me to increase the dose. I know when means well but I want to get off this stuff. Would the next step down be .25? You can't cut the ODT .125mg tabs in half- can you?
I don't think psychiatrists understand what these tapers feel like?

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I tapered it to .5 but added valium which for me is not as strong as clonazepam. When I read these posts I wonder why people want off of it so badly. I am old now but that drug has enabled me to have a good life. I am taking less because of balance issues. I wish everyone success and happiness after withdrawal. I hope you keep us updated.
Thanks

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Profile picture for con123 @con123

It took me a year to taper off 1mg at bedtime. We did a reduction every 6 weeks. .75, then .5 and I was doing fine. The struggles began at .25. The 0.125 mg did little to nothing. Even this slowly, the end was quite difficult.

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Con123 I’m in same spot but pcp went from 1mg to .5 no sleep feel awful

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