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Stopped Taking Clonazepam Abruptly. Having Anxiety. Withdrawal Symptom?

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Posted on Fri, 7 Sep 2012
Question: About 6 weeks ago, I took about 5 or 6 pills of Klonopin (Clonazepam) over the course of a week. I stopped taking them abruptly and have been experiencing anxiety ever since. How long would you expect this to continue ?

Thanks, XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ashish Mittal (3 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for your query.

Usually withdrawal of clonazepam last for 1-2 week in person who routinely use it or dependent on it. In your case you have used only 5-6 tabs over a period of 1 week, so I think there should not be any serious withdrawal at all.

Clonazepam is most frequently prescribed for sleep and anxiety. Withdrawal may also produce the same symptoms. Hence you need assessment to ascertain reason for anxiety symptoms. In your case following are possibilities:
-Anxiety disorder itself
-Substance induce disorder: in case of regular substance use like alcohol, cannabis etc
-Excessive stress in life
-Primary insomnia leading to mild day time anxiety
-Thyroid hormonal problem
-Hypertension

We can be able to treat the symptoms after diagnosing reason for anxiety.

Meanwhile daily physical activity like brisk walk or aerobic exercise will helpful to partially treat your symptoms irrespective of cause.

The bottom line is I do not feel you have the symptoms of withdrawal. The symptoms may be due to one of the aforementioned reasons. You need to consider reviewing with your psychiatrist.

I hope this answer your query. Should you have any additional concerns, let me know. I will be glad to assist you.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Ashish Mittal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1859 Questions

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Stopped Taking Clonazepam Abruptly. Having Anxiety. Withdrawal Symptom?


Hello,

Thanks for your query.

Usually withdrawal of clonazepam last for 1-2 week in person who routinely use it or dependent on it. In your case you have used only 5-6 tabs over a period of 1 week, so I think there should not be any serious withdrawal at all.

Clonazepam is most frequently prescribed for sleep and anxiety. Withdrawal may also produce the same symptoms. Hence you need assessment to ascertain reason for anxiety symptoms. In your case following are possibilities:
-Anxiety disorder itself
-Substance induce disorder: in case of regular substance use like alcohol, cannabis etc
-Excessive stress in life
-Primary insomnia leading to mild day time anxiety
-Thyroid hormonal problem
-Hypertension

We can be able to treat the symptoms after diagnosing reason for anxiety.

Meanwhile daily physical activity like brisk walk or aerobic exercise will helpful to partially treat your symptoms irrespective of cause.

The bottom line is I do not feel you have the symptoms of withdrawal. The symptoms may be due to one of the aforementioned reasons. You need to consider reviewing with your psychiatrist.

I hope this answer your query. Should you have any additional concerns, let me know. I will be glad to assist you.

Regards,