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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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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