What Causes Insomnia After Stopping Klonopin Intake?

Posted on Wed, 14 Jan 2015

Question: I was using klonopin .5 mg for exactly one month (to help until effexor could reach a therapeutic dose for anxiety/depression). I stopped taking it 2 nights ago and have had awful insomnia and when I start to doze off my arms, hands and legs twitch and wake me up. Should I stick it out or do I have to do a taper? I hate to start taking it again if symptoms will subside soon.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
two options: either wait or restart and taper off

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

I can understand your concern.

Klonopin(clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine drug. It can cause dependence.
0.5 mg klonopin for one month should not cause significant dependence.

You are suffering form withdrawal but 0.5mg does not cause long lasting severe withdrawal.

If I were your primary doctor I would suggest that wait for 5 days more as you have already stopped since 2 days. Your problem of insomnia and muscle twitching will decrease and subside on its own likely.

You can follow some measures called 'sleep hygiene' for good sleep. You can search on internet for the same. Some of them are:
-take a cup of warm milk before 15 minutes going to bed
-take shower with warm water before going to bed
-do not take heavy dinner
-read books that you do not like

By these you can have good sleep and you will not feel need of taking clonazepam.

But if you feel constant disturbance in sleep for more than 5 days now onwards or your problem worsens, there is need of restarting clonazepam and taper it off gradually.For that you need to consult your treating doctor. You may need lower strength of tablets 0.25 mg for the same.

Hope I have answered your query,

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj