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How To Withdraw From Klonopin Without Any Side Effects?

Posted on Tue, 10 Jun 2014

Question: I have been taking Klonopin up to .5mg twice a day for the past 8 month prescribed by a psychiatrist. I have been on Effexor xr 37.5 and cannot tolerate higher doses for the past 5 weeks, I have tried other ssri's butt could not tolerate them. at times I take trazodone for sleep. I want to taper off the klonopin as I do not like how I feel on it with the Effexor and I feel it is effecting my memory. I have never been on any meds until about 8 months ago when I had begun to have increased stress in my professional and personal life. another major event happened about 10 weeks ago with the breakup of a long term relationship. Please give me your recommendations on a effective taper. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Tapering schedule advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.

Since you have been on Klonopin (Clonazepam) for a significant period of time, it is advisable that you taper it down very gradually, in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms and rebound anxiety.

I would advise the following tapering schedule:

0.25mg (MORN) - 0.5mg (NIGHT) for 2 weeks
0.25mg (MORN) - 0.25mg (NIGHT) for 2 weeks
0.125mg (MORN) - 0.25mg (NIGHT) for 2 weeks
0.125mg (MORN) - 0.125mg (NIGHT) for 2 weeks
0 (MORN) - 0.125mg (NIGHT) for 2 weeks

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (13 hours later)

I have also been on trazadone 50 mg at night for 8 months. Can i just stop that med or do i need to titrate as well. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Better to cut down one medication at a time...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It would be better to come down one medication at a time, since cutting down both Klonopn and Trazadone simultaneously may sometimes cause sleep disturbance and rebound anxiety.

So, I would advise you to continue Trazadone for the time-being while you come off the Klonopin. After that you can reduce the dose of Trazadone to 25 mg for 2 weeks and then stop it.

Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar