Can Discontinuing Clozapam Cause Depersonalization, Fear, Confusion And Memory Loss?

Posted on Thu, 14 Sep 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 Answered on

Thu, 5 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm tapering off of clozapam .5 as if right now I'm on .025 in the morning and .025 in the adternoon. I notice my morning pill wearing off I get bad Depersonlaztion, intense fear, confusion and memory loss. is this normal withdraws systoms? I started taken this almost a year ago after a tragic loss of my nephew who was like my son. I couldn't even leave my house with out panic r be in a car. with out taken a pill and I'm not into taken medication never have till now and I want off of them... also my aniexty is back where it was from the beginning.

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Go slowly

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

First of all I like to inform you that depersonalization is one of the withdrawal effect of clonazepam and can be considered normal in your case as the anxiety is not under control without medication.

The option of weaning off medication should be done very slowly and it is advisable to do not decrease more than 25% in one go. I mean do not decrease complete 0.25 mg at a one go as it will likely to cause withdrawal symptoms. It is also important to decrease further only after 10-14 days.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

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