Suggest Ways To Wean Off Klonopin

Posted on Mon, 15 May 2017

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

Mon, 15 May 2017 Answered on

Wed, 31 May 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Klonopin 0.5 MG 3 times a day taken for 13 days. Bad side effects on the 12th and 13th day. Doctor didn't answer at first but pharmacist said I could just reduce dose and stop taking in two days. Doctor finally returned call and said I will have to take half dose for one week and then quit. Got a bit upset when I mentioned pharmacist's suggestion. Which do you feel is correct as I want to get off drug ASAP. Thank you,

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Stop the drug in about a week.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking

You have taken 1.5 mg of tablet daily for about 2 weeks and abrupt reduction of dose might result in withdrawal in form of insomnia. You are 63 and pharmacodynamics also changed with age. So I'd not suggest you to stop taking dose in two days but instead would advise you to take 0.25 mg for about a week and the quit. This is better and easier way.

Thanks.

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