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Suggest Ways To Taper Off Clonazepam
Question: I have been taking clonazepam prn anxiety, .5mg for 5 months. This was prescribed after an acute stressful time. I have had some nights when I took 1mg and some periods where I go 6-7 days without. Off for 5 days now and no wd symptoms but afraid about some of the stories I've read. I'd prefer to not do a taper but when will I know if I'm "in the clear" or if I should taper off?
Brief Answer:
Acute withdrawal phase has passed so no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
You were taking Clonazepam 0.5 mg on SOS basis for anxiety since last 5 months. Some times the doses were 1 mg in nights while some times you were off medicine of 6-7 days. I guess you have not taken the drug regularly. The drug is a benzodiazepine drug and if taken on regular basis for more that 4 weeks it may result in dependence and emergence of withdrawal symptoms on stopping the drug. As you have taken the drug on SOS basis so chances of severe withdrawal symptoms are rare.
You are off drug since last 5 days and have not suffered any severe symptoms so you have passed acute withdrawal phase. Mild withdrawal like in form of slight restlessness may occur even after many days of stopping the drug. In usual cases they are even not realised.
Half life of Clonazepam is about 30 hours and you are off medicines since last 5 days so practically most of drug has been cleared from your body. No need to fear from severe withdrawal now.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Acute withdrawal phase has passed so no need to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
You were taking Clonazepam 0.5 mg on SOS basis for anxiety since last 5 months. Some times the doses were 1 mg in nights while some times you were off medicine of 6-7 days. I guess you have not taken the drug regularly. The drug is a benzodiazepine drug and if taken on regular basis for more that 4 weeks it may result in dependence and emergence of withdrawal symptoms on stopping the drug. As you have taken the drug on SOS basis so chances of severe withdrawal symptoms are rare.
You are off drug since last 5 days and have not suffered any severe symptoms so you have passed acute withdrawal phase. Mild withdrawal like in form of slight restlessness may occur even after many days of stopping the drug. In usual cases they are even not realised.
Half life of Clonazepam is about 30 hours and you are off medicines since last 5 days so practically most of drug has been cleared from your body. No need to fear from severe withdrawal now.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. So unfortunately I have noticed some insomnia the last 2 nights so I'm going to talk to my psych and ask about tapering off. I've taken about 60mg over 150 days. Wondering if I shoud ride it out a few days as it seems some people have symptoms for a week or so but not full blown acute withdrawal. Any thoughts?
Brief Answer:
Slight insomnia or mild increase in anxiety may occur
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Slight insomnia, mild increase in anxiety may occur but it would not be full blown withdrawal as you have already passed 5 days. You can talk to your psychiatrist for that insomnia. Doses of 0.125 to 0.25 mg can even relieve this anxiety and then after about a couple of weeks you can stop the drug completely, in cases you are not able to tolerate that withdrawal.
Mild symptoms may persist for about a couple of weeks but these can be tolerated easily and can be managed with relaxation exercises like Breathing Exercises.
Thanks
Slight insomnia or mild increase in anxiety may occur
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again
Slight insomnia, mild increase in anxiety may occur but it would not be full blown withdrawal as you have already passed 5 days. You can talk to your psychiatrist for that insomnia. Doses of 0.125 to 0.25 mg can even relieve this anxiety and then after about a couple of weeks you can stop the drug completely, in cases you are not able to tolerate that withdrawal.
Mild symptoms may persist for about a couple of weeks but these can be tolerated easily and can be managed with relaxation exercises like Breathing Exercises.
Thanks
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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