Help Getting Off of Klonopin

@frouke Yes, the Ashton Manual recommends adding a low dose of Valium while tapering off Klonapin, then once off the Klonapin, tapering off the valium. There is a chart in the Manual outlining the tapering schedule for each benzo. The Manual also goes into the half-life of each.

@william81 Yes, you can taper down but it needs to be very slow. Usually it is exactly as you say, maybe even longer than 4-6 weeks, but if you are not getting off Ativan completely, I believe you will have an easier time. Be sure and do it slow and take it one day at a time. If you have been on it for anxiety, try and find another way to reduce that anxiety...mindfulness, exercise, breathing exercises. Good luck and keep us posted.

I am on vilazodone 40 mg for 5 weeks. My dr increased. Has me on klonipin for 5 months tapered down to .125 mg dissolvable pill 2x day for 8 weeks. Now trying to taper to .125 mg 1x daily. Its been a week but feeling agitated - went back to 2x a day. I told my dr I am afraid of addiction. How can I get off the Klonipin - it was a bridge to the vilazodone. Did a cheek swab test to see what would work best. I am 69 and hopefully get off all at some point.

Having a hard time with the klonipin. Did not think it would be so difficult.

Any thoughts? Had started on .5 mg klonipin 2x a day to .25 mg 2x a day to now .125 mg 2x day. Dr said try 1x day. Going on 2nd week with that but having a hard time.

Your GP should absolutely know how to help you.
If he doesn’t he should never prescribe it!
I was on Klonopin for 20 years, it has to be tapered properly and managed by a doctor.
Please find another physician who knows what he’s doing.
I was not tapered properly and had severe repercussions.

Thank you. He is a psychiatrist 35 yrs but I kept saying I don’t want it long term. I told him I heard it should not be taken more than 3-4 weeks.

I have only been on a lower dose 5 months but having a hard time tapering down.

I hope you get answers.

@pflyboyatl
I don’t know the rules or numbers but I do highly suggest you get a second opinion.
Coming off Klonopin, not handled properly can cause severe withdrawal.
I lived it.
Please let me know if I can help in any way.

@pflyboyatl
If your doctor is not giving this the proper attention it can be detrimental.
There is medication that can be used for withdrawal.
I’m passionate about this because what my doctor put me through was a horrible experience.
In all honesty, I should have sued him.

@ladilauro
My PCP is on vacation and so is my psychatrist back Monday.

He has tapered me to .125 mg 2x a day. That was 8 weeks - saw him last Tuesday and he is keeping me on 40 mg Vilazodone that he increased to max of 40 mg about 5 weeks ago. He said trying doing the .125 mg 1x a dsy even though instructions say twice a day as needed. My body knows even on a low dose.

The sad thing is psychiatrist tine is 15 min. Geesh.

Back in Dec my Primary put me on ativan and Zoloft. Then I went to outpatient therapy and dr there changed me to Buspar and prozac 10 mg for 8 weeks - never increased it so this dr said that was not even a therapeutuc dose and weaned me off Buspar and did a gene right cheek swab test that show vilazidone might better work.

So here I am. Not feeling my best.

My psychiatrist wants me back in 3 months! I just saw him a week ago but I am not feeling any better. Maybe 40 mg to high but the klonipin was to be a bridge for a short time- not 5 months!!

I have read that going doing 50 percent is way to quick and that 5 to 10 percent every two to four weeks is much safer and more comfortable. i've tried for months to get a dr. to listen to me. My nervous system is very sensitive and I do not want to take a chance. I have found that GPs, NP and even psychitrist are not very knowledgable. One has to do their own research and this does take time.