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.
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.
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?
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
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.
I took .75 in between the 1 and .5mg doses, and each reduction was at 6 weeks. Best to go very slowly. I also had to start taking Lunesta for sleep. I still take it. No klonopin for 17 months. I miss it sometimes but I’m not going back.
I just got through a Klonopin taper which was too rapid. 0,5 mgs at a time for 2 wks at a time. Do NOT do it this rapidly....l ended up having withdrawal symptoms, ranging from irritability, sensitivity to light, and high startle to just being hard to be around. I was started on Gabapentin 3 x dy, finally getting to 300mg 3 x dy, which has resolved all of my issues. NOW, l will have to look forward to tapering off of... GUESS WHAT????? The Gabapentin!!!!! Good luck on your new journey. If you can take anything away while reading this post, remember to take your time!!! I will be praying for you because this is quite the challenge!!!
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.
I think seeing a psychiatrist would help the best. In ny if you're on mental helath medications, especially any type of benzos or pain meds a primary dr will most likely send you to a psychiatrist. I too was on Xanax for anxiety and sleep. I started getting seizures if I missed a dose or two so I wanted to get off it. I ended up switching to Valium bc my insomnia and anxiety was so bad but it worked out better for me bc I was on too high of a dose of Xanax ( in my opinion). If I dont take a Valium for a couple days I'll sometimes have a seizure.. im just trying to make the point that getting off any benzo can be a pretty serious situation. Also I think about psychiatrist would be able to help you w your sleep and anxiety issue and hopefully recommend something in place of the Xanax for you ( if you are still having issues with your sleep ect..)
Good luck! I hope the process goes well for you!
I just got through a Klonopin taper which was too rapid. 0,5 mgs at a time for 2 wks at a time. Do NOT do it this rapidly....l ended up having withdrawal symptoms, ranging from irritability, sensitivity to light, and high startle to just being hard to be around. I was started on Gabapentin 3 x dy, finally getting to 300mg 3 x dy, which has resolved all of my issues. NOW, l will have to look forward to tapering off of... GUESS WHAT????? The Gabapentin!!!!! Good luck on your new journey. If you can take anything away while reading this post, remember to take your time!!! I will be praying for you because this is quite the challenge!!!
Thanks for your reply. When l was prescribed Gabapentin, l was not told that l would have to get off of it too. My question to the Dr was, " Now that l am taking Gabapentin, isn't that just as bad to discontinue?" He said, "No'. I am hoping his answer is correct for me.
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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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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
5 ReactionsIt 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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsFirst 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?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI 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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Hug
2 ReactionsCon123 I’m in same spot but pcp went from 1mg to .5 no sleep feel awful
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1 ReactionI took .75 in between the 1 and .5mg doses, and each reduction was at 6 weeks. Best to go very slowly. I also had to start taking Lunesta for sleep. I still take it. No klonopin for 17 months. I miss it sometimes but I’m not going back.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI just got through a Klonopin taper which was too rapid. 0,5 mgs at a time for 2 wks at a time. Do NOT do it this rapidly....l ended up having withdrawal symptoms, ranging from irritability, sensitivity to light, and high startle to just being hard to be around. I was started on Gabapentin 3 x dy, finally getting to 300mg 3 x dy, which has resolved all of my issues. NOW, l will have to look forward to tapering off of... GUESS WHAT????? The Gabapentin!!!!! Good luck on your new journey. If you can take anything away while reading this post, remember to take your time!!! I will be praying for you because this is quite the challenge!!!
I think seeing a psychiatrist would help the best. In ny if you're on mental helath medications, especially any type of benzos or pain meds a primary dr will most likely send you to a psychiatrist. I too was on Xanax for anxiety and sleep. I started getting seizures if I missed a dose or two so I wanted to get off it. I ended up switching to Valium bc my insomnia and anxiety was so bad but it worked out better for me bc I was on too high of a dose of Xanax ( in my opinion). If I dont take a Valium for a couple days I'll sometimes have a seizure.. im just trying to make the point that getting off any benzo can be a pretty serious situation. Also I think about psychiatrist would be able to help you w your sleep and anxiety issue and hopefully recommend something in place of the Xanax for you ( if you are still having issues with your sleep ect..)
Good luck! I hope the process goes well for you!
Tapering can absolutely be done without the use of gabapentin, another miserable drug to taper. Many, many have done it. 25 year Xanax user here.
Thanks for your reply. When l was prescribed Gabapentin, l was not told that l would have to get off of it too. My question to the Dr was, " Now that l am taking Gabapentin, isn't that just as bad to discontinue?" He said, "No'. I am hoping his answer is correct for me.