What is the best way to taper off Klonopin?

@jacqueline
@amberpep
Most if not all seizure medications can cause balance issues. When I was taking Klonopin I was taking an enormous dose and I had falls daily but I took other seizure meds. I had an episode of ataxia which is a movement disorder. I couldn't go up a few stairs, walk straight or to the right just circles to the left.
Fortunately it is rare. I mention this because it can be a potential side effect of Klonopin.
Take care,
Jake

Does Diazepam (Valium) cause falling? I know Lorazepam does, have read that many different places.

The best advice I have read other than the Ashton Manual is "if you withdraw off Benzodiazepines it has to be very slowly and only YOU know if it is too fast. Should you start feeling any bad affects go back and do in low increments. I was down to .25 forever and my PSYCHIATRIST SAID .25 is a low dose just stop it you might feel bad for about 3 days. No chance, I went down to .125 for two weeks and I am now ready to go down 1/2 again. I was on .50 for 6 months and all I wanted was off drugs. I started tapering myself. I went down to .125 in the morning for 2 months. Felt fine, stayed there for 2 months then cut in 1/2 again. The first time I tried to go down from .5 to .125 I felt very jittery, I waited another 1/1/2 months and tried again and I felt fine. Only YOU KNOW if it's right. Very difficult when you start to second guess your Doctor.

That's exactly what I'm doing. I just got the .25 mg tablets today. And again, my doctor said, "This is such a low dose you can just stop taking it." No, 'mam, I cannot. Clearly these doctors have never had to get off these drugs or they wouldn't talk like that. I plan to taper down the .25 very slowly, like you did. I've gone from 225 mg/day to 37.5 mg/day over 2 years with little bad effects. I'm fine with tapering off very very slowly.

Hi, I've been on Klonopin for 16 years. I went down from 2mg to 1mg several months ago. I really want to get off. I thought of going into a rehab, but with the pandemic, I don't know if they are even open. The way you are doing it sounds like a pain free way. But how do you get the pills in such low increments. I have a lot of 1mg pills.

@archermac15
A compounding pharmacy is likely your best option provided your physician is willing to give you a prescription for the dosage you feel comfortable with and an adequate time frame between cuts.
Jake

It has taken me 9 months to go off Lorazepam on to Klonopin. I went from 6MG of Lorazepam after abruptly stopping and almost had a psychotic break. My Dr then put me on .5 MG Klonopin that is 1/2 MG. Three weeks ago I went from .25 to .125, that is the smallest dose of Klonopin that is available. I cut the .125 (which is under the tongues as were all the Klonopin which I have taken) in half and 2 weeks later I am almost finished with the 1/2 of the 1/2 which I finish in three days. So, it has taken me 9 months to get off .5 Klonopin to finish my tapering. Drug stores sell pill cutters and I take the larger 1/2 as they are never equal. This has not been painless. Every day I WANTED OFF THIS POISON. Every one is different, thus every experience will be different and only YOU know if you are trying to do it too quickly. You will notice right away, with me I got very jittery and the next day I went back to my previous dose and one month later I tried again and I felt fine. Stayed on the lower dose for longer than I wanted to because I wasn't feeling 100 percent due to getting a bit depressed of everything I had been through and knew I would not be successful with a tapering at that time. That is why I say only YOU know. This is a very touch JOURNEY, not for sissy's. The psychiatrist I had started seeing after 1-1/2 months off Lorazepam (Supposedly you need a psychiatrist when dealing with Benzodiazepines) never really gave me a plan. After reading everything I could about tapering (Ashton Manual) on line I just didn't have much faith in my psychiatrist, didn't think she was was up to date on Benzodiazepines. Personally, I think you can do it, you are down to 1/2 of what what you were on. I started at 1/2 of what you were on. I hope you will let me know how you are doing and what side effects you are having, if any, I think the 1MG has a line in the pill where you can cut it in 1/2. My best to you! Laurine

I was told three weeks ago by my psychiatrist I could just stop at .25 and I would feel bad for about 3 days. No thank you, not me. I had been on a Benzodiazepine for almost 15 years, I am 78 and I just went by my gut feeling. Nobody knows what you are going thru unless they have been exactly where you are, even then, everyones life is a different story. I went from from .5, to .25, to .125, to 1/2 of .125 and 1/2 again. I can only say I have read many articles on line about going too fast and backing up makes it more difficult. I have read where many people are taking crumbs of the pill in the end. Easy does it, you will have done yourself such a service. Laurine

My God, 18MG a day, that is off the charts. I can't believe that is legal! Bravo to you, I would never have believed it if I didn't read it. Congratulations, veery hard to believe you had zero side effects. Laurine

@laurine7
The max dose of Klonopin is 20 mg.
Jake