What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Klonopin?

Posted on Wed, 28 Oct 2015

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

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 Answered on

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : how can I eliminate withdrawal from klonopin? I was able to decrease from 0.5 twice a day to now 0.25 every other night..... night two, I develop twitching in my extremities, and the feel of "something crawling " on my face,arms and legs. Any suggestions??

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes, that can be due to withdrawal of klonopin

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to health care magic!

I have read your query and it talks about your weaning from clonazepam by your self. You were in 0.5mg tiwce a day and now taking 0.25mg every other night.

You are having some crawling like sensation on face and extremities.

First of all I would like to appreciate this effort made by you to reduce and stop this drug...it is really courageous and a step towards better health.

I would like to tell you that these crawling like feeling can be seen during benzodiazapines withdrawal. This usually happens when the withdrawal is fast or the abuse/use of benzodiazapines was of long term and the reduction is done suddenly from a high dose to a significanlty lower dose .

Here in the query it is not mentioned if -

You reduced 0.5mg twice a day to straight 0.25mg alternate days?

Or what was the duration of use of the drug?

And how fast was this reduction done?

If I had a similar case in my clinic I would have liked to know the answers to the above questions (as they will help a lot in correlating the symptoms of crawling like feeling.. ).
You may discuss these points with your treating team as well.

To check if the symptoms are due to withdrawal you may take 0.25mg of that drug and see if the symptoms go away!!

P.S. please see if you have an allergy to some food item or some newly introduced drug (as these symptoms may also develop in allergy like condition).

I hope the reply is useful for you.
Wish you good luck and speedy recovery!

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Gopal (3 hours later)

A little more information..... I have been taking clonazepam for roughly 7 years. I know bad idea. Sadly it was prescribed by my OB/GYN. I finally sought counseling from a Therapist this past year. I stopped seeing her about 3 months ago when I was feeling better and was putting her suggestions for dealing with situations to work. I started the clonazepam after the death of my child. And actually have only been taking it at night for rest for quite some time. My therapist suggested I take something in its place, so I saw a psychiatrist and tried Effexor 75mg for a few weeks, this affected my blood pressure and so I weaned off the Effexor over a short period of time. The EVERY other night has been the last few months, and as I said I do okay until night " number two". Since I MUST work, I need my rest, hence the inability to get through these nights of 0 medicine. Any other help? Thanks in Advance.

Answered by Dr. Manisha Gopal (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can try pregabalin after discussing with your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for replying back. Now I can understand the reason behind starting clonazepam. There was a significant stressor.

You are currently on alternate night on clonazepam now 0.25mg from past three months...(and only at night time).

Effexor was a good step but you developed high blood pressure (which is a common side effect and can develop in some patients). So, it was stopped.

If I have a similar case in my clinic where effexor is not working and there is some stressor as well and sleep disturbance (plus or minus anxiety) then I try pregabalin.
It is a very good and safe molecule. It helps in managing the crawling senesation /other neurological sessations as well...and safe for diabeteics or hypertensive or normal body people.

It helps in calming anxiety levels and puts one to sleep. It is not habbit forming usually.
You can also discuss this molecule with your treating team and start it.

By this way you can stop clonazepam straight away and get sleep too!

Wich you good luck
Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification.

Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina