1. < Depression & Anxiety
Profile picture for kittymama

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

Profile picture for kawanhee
kawanhee | @kawanhee | May 23 5:24am
In reply to @gunshy "@kb2014 How did you taper off. I am looking for a very safe way. I am..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

@kb2014
How did you taper off. I am looking for a very safe way. I am considering a compounded liquid, but maybe buying a scale and shaving off pieces might work better.
I applaud you for you valiant and brave effort of tapering and getting completely off.
I've been on .5 daily for six months and have been told it will take two years at 81????
Any thoughts!!

Jump to this post

@gunshy not two years. Here’s how I tapered .5 Ativan

REPLY
Profile picture for Jake
Jake | @jakedduck1 | May 23 10:45am
In reply to @gunshy "@jakedduck1 Dear Jake, Thank you for your reply. What method did you you to decrease and..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

@jakedduck1
Dear Jake,
Thank you for your reply. What method did you you to decrease and get off it.? Did you use a micro taper or the cut and hold. Were you on Klonopin like I am? I am nervous about the water taper because of getting uneven doses, the liquid method because of the need to cross over from tablet to liquid and then to measure very , very carefully, the Ashton method because I might not tolerate the Valium and that many I read about think her cuts are much too extreme, GP who want me to go down way too fast like in 6 to 8 weeks, using dry cuts and a scale that may be hard to use and unreliabe, a doctor that wasn't even licensed in the state I live in it turned out after I started with him. Now, my GP, who is retiring in 4 months as turned me over to a psychiatric NP and I have to wait to see if my insurance will cover it, etc. My expericne with them as connected with the medical gragantium we have in this state is that they are young and experienced, do not listen, and have no compassion as well as not being available when you are in crisis. An at my wits end and need to get off this stuff as it has taken over my life and is making me sick.

Jump to this post

@gunshy
@daveshaw
I don't remember all the specifics of my taper. I cut the pills in as many pieces as I could and decreased my dose every 2-4 weeks. I've been lucky and never had a problem getting off medication because I believe how slowly I tapered. Many people recommend the 5-10% taper.

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for daveshaw
daveshaw | @daveshaw | May 23 11:59am
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@gunshy @daveshaw I don't remember all the specifics of my taper. I cut the pills in..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jake @jakedduck1

@gunshy
@daveshaw
I don't remember all the specifics of my taper. I cut the pills in as many pieces as I could and decreased my dose every 2-4 weeks. I've been lucky and never had a problem getting off medication because I believe how slowly I tapered. Many people recommend the 5-10% taper.

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1 I appreciate your response. My PCP tells me not to get off my 1mg in the morning and one at night because I don’t drink and exercise 6 out of 7 days a week.
I hear these horror stories of people taking two years to get off the drug and at 75 she thinks there is no reason to go through that. I have been taking the same dosage for 30 years.
That being said if there was a way to do it easier I wouldn’t mind doing it because being a controlled substance it has to be renewed monthly and it is a hassle.
It sounds like you were able to do it relatively easily. How much were you taking and how long had you been taking it?
I look forward to your response.
Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

REPLY
Profile picture for gunshy
gunshy | @gunshy | May 23 1:39pm
In reply to @danielle78 "I am coming off Clonazepam since July this year I am down to half a tablet..." + (show)
Profile picture for danielle78 @danielle78

I am coming off Clonazepam since July this year I am down to half a tablet every 2nd day I feel weird I see my doctor every week has anyone had the same problem with reducing

Jump to this post

I could not read the chart, but that's ok, as I am klonopin and my dose is apx. 8 times stronger. So glad you are off it. It must be such a relief.

REPLY
Profile picture for gunshy
gunshy | @gunshy | May 23 1:41pm
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@gunshy @daveshaw I don't remember all the specifics of my taper. I cut the pills in..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jake @jakedduck1

@gunshy
@daveshaw
I don't remember all the specifics of my taper. I cut the pills in as many pieces as I could and decreased my dose every 2-4 weeks. I've been lucky and never had a problem getting off medication because I believe how slowly I tapered. Many people recommend the 5-10% taper.

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1
Would you share which one you were on? I am on clonazepam which is really strong, and I notice a big difference if I don't cut my .5 tab in half equally.

REPLY
2 replies
Profile picture for david707
david707 | @david707 | May 23 2:04pm
In reply to @gunshy "I know one size does not fit all, but what to you is the best way..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

I know one size does not fit all, but what to you is the best way to taper off kolopin

Jump to this post

@gunshy I became addicted to Xanax, which is a similar drug. I discovered a British psychiatrist famous for successfully weaning her clients of Benzos by slowly replacing them with Valium, also a Benzo but easier to come off of. I told my doctor of this and that's what I was able to do over about 6 months.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for gunshy
gunshy | @gunshy | May 23 4:58pm
In reply to @david707 "@gunshy I became addicted to Xanax, which is a similar drug. I discovered a British psychiatrist..." + (show)
Profile picture for david707 @david707

@gunshy I became addicted to Xanax, which is a similar drug. I discovered a British psychiatrist famous for successfully weaning her clients of Benzos by slowly replacing them with Valium, also a Benzo but easier to come off of. I told my doctor of this and that's what I was able to do over about 6 months.

Jump to this post

@david707
Dear David,
Thank you for your reply. I've been taking .5 daily of Kolonpin and I wonder what that computes to in the amount you started from and thus how long it will take me?
I am thinking this method would be the best for me as weighing measuring is too much for me.
Today I cut a .5 in two unequal pieces, took the smaller one this morning and am really, really paying for it in shakes, nausea, weakness and extreme exhaustion.
Congratulations on getting off them!!! And thanks for your reply!

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for gunshy
gunshy | @gunshy | May 23 5:24pm
In reply to @gunshy "@jakedduck1 Would you share which one you were on? I am on clonazepam which is really..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

@jakedduck1
Would you share which one you were on? I am on clonazepam which is really strong, and I notice a big difference if I don't cut my .5 tab in half equally.

Jump to this post

@gunshy
Yes. I am on .5 tab of clonazepam and feeling terrible. I just asked the doctor if they made .25 so that would not happen again. I am shakey, weak, tired, have diarehia and sick to my stomach. Is there any thing I can do if this happens again?

REPLY
Profile picture for Jake
Jake | @jakedduck1 | May 23 5:24pm
In reply to @gunshy "@jakedduck1 Would you share which one you were on? I am on clonazepam which is really..." + (show)
Profile picture for gunshy @gunshy

@jakedduck1
Would you share which one you were on? I am on clonazepam which is really strong, and I notice a big difference if I don't cut my .5 tab in half equally.

Jump to this post

@gunshy
If my memory is correct (but I wouldn't bet the farm on it) I took three 2 mg tabs three times a day so 6 mg morning noon & night. I used the brand name Klonopin, my neurologist didn't believe in seizure patients taking generics.
Jake

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for gunshy
gunshy | @gunshy | May 23 6:50pm
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@gunshy If my memory is correct (but I wouldn't bet the farm on it) I took..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jake @jakedduck1

@gunshy
If my memory is correct (but I wouldn't bet the farm on it) I took three 2 mg tabs three times a day so 6 mg morning noon & night. I used the brand name Klonopin, my neurologist didn't believe in seizure patients taking generics.
Jake

Jump to this post

@jakedduck1
Are generic different?
Wow, that is amazing that you were able to get off so much of it without a lot of suffering. So wonderful to hear!!!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.