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Clonazepam for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

Brand names: Klonopin

Clonazepam has an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 from a total of 96 reviews for the off-label treatment of Bipolar Disorder. 84% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 7% reported a negative experience.

Clonazepam rating summary

8.7 average rating out of 10

96 ratings from 97 user reviews.

Compare all 84 medications used in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

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Reviews for Clonazepam

  • JakeF...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • November 22, 2014

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Love this medicine. Great for bipolar and anxiety. I try not to use it all the time, it won't work the same if you take it all the time. This medicine is safe. I see some people have been on it for over 20 years!"

10 / 10
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108 Report
  • ohiob...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 20, 2013

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder about 6 years ago and had my share of trying different medications to get it under control. After multiple trials with medicines my doctor finally found the right combination for me (Lexapro, lithium, Depakote had sexual side effects, Synthroid, trazodone at night, multivitamins and B-1 vitamin). This combination worked great to get my mood swings under control. Once my mood swings were under control, I started having extreme anxiety attacks. I was then diagnosed with anxiety disorder as well. My doctor prescribed 0.75 mg Klonopin 3 times a day, as needed and it is a lifesaver. Klonopin knocks my anxiety down within 15 min. I have been taking it for 3 yrs with great results."

10 / 10
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108 Report
  • Bipolar...
  • March 8, 2008

Klonopin (clonazepam) "It really helps me control my mood. I normally take one to two every day depending on what is happening. For example, I completely blew up at my girlfriend the other day over something completely stupid, took one of these, and my anger was gone. It really helps."

10 / 10
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131 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • adsfa...
  • August 3, 2016

"I am diagnosed with Bipolar I, and I get psychotic and paranoid when manic. I also have severe, debilitating anxiety since I was a young child. Finally, my psychiatrist found the right drug combo, which is Seroquel, Remeron, Klonopin, and Temazepam for sleep. I have been in remission for 5 years, hold down two very demanding and stressful jobs. I do not feel overdrugged and I am so happy with Klonopin for my anxiety. I take 3 mg daily, 2.5 at night and 0.5 in the morning. No side effects, my mind is sharp as a tack and no mood swings or psychosis for 5 years!! I think everyone's bodies are different and what works for some may not for others. I have not raised my dose in over 5 years and I have no high feeling or any cognitive side effects."

10 / 10
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74 Report
  • BiPolar...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 30, 2014

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Since I was 13 years old. Anxiety has been a severely debilitating issue in my life. It's destroyed most of the relationships in my life and stopped me from maturing as a person in terms of moving up in the job field. A lot of people would consider me weird because of becoming very reclusive due to my anxiety disorder. When I am on Klonopin, it is completely different! I have a lot of energy, motivation, and I'm anxiety-free. The most I've taken consecutively was 2mg for about 2 weeks, and after stopping for about 2-3 days after that, I'd never feel any withdrawal effects. This is usually the cycle I use. The quality of my life is drastically better on benzodiazepine medication."

8 / 10
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87 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • sweee...
  • September 29, 2013

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I started taking Klonopin recently, and I'm mixing it with Viibryd and Lamictal. It helps so much. At night, it takes the edge off. I take 0.5mg, sometimes 1mg, to help me out more. I haven't had as bad of racing thoughts while I'm trying to fall asleep, and I end up sleeping like a baby. The after-effects are a little bit of grogginess but it's worth it. The only thing that bothers me is that I feel like smoking cigarettes after I take it. Overall, it's great and stops the mania as well as depression."

10 / 10
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82 Report
  • chris...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • April 30, 2015

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Klonopin helps my social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder associated with Bipolar Disorder I. I've been taking 1 mg twice per day for 8 years, and it works great. I'm able to get things done without thinking something terrible is going to happen."

10 / 10
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66 Report
  • mopar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 18, 2015

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Prescribed 2 mg 1x day, take for sleep or rest for manic episodes. I had been going on 80 hours with no sleep and no relief with current meds. Dr. prescribed this immediately, and within 90 minutes, I was calmed down and able to sleep. Highly recommend for anyone who has had failure with other medications, as I have."

10 / 10
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66 Report
  • Wkumo...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 13, 2013

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I am bipolar on 500 mg Lamictal, 1200 mg gabapentin, and prescribed Klonopin. I am prescribed to take 1.0 two times a day, but I don't need it often. When I am hysterical or very angry, in which I want to hit someone or tell them off, which happens sometimes, I take half usually, and it works. I take a whole one if it's too much to handle. I don't use it all the time, sometimes not even for a week. It's wonderful for those out-of-control moments! Klonopin is much better for bipolar to use than Xanax. Xanax had no effect on me at all!"

10 / 10
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71 Report
  • Skrappy
  • May 21, 2008

Klonopin (clonazepam) "This med has been great. I have suffered bipolar disorder and panic attacks for years. It has helped me tremendously. You may need to adjust the amount so you don't become tired during the day, but once you find the optimal dose, I feel it's a worthwhile medication."

10 / 10
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87 Report
  • JackieA
  • November 8, 2015

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I was diagnosed at the age of 15 with bipolar. I really never understood why that was my diagnosis. Maybe because of my horrible depressions at a very young age and, well, having to go through a lot very early in life might have been the cause of that. I suffered a lot from anxiety or panic attacks, and I must say that Klonopin has been the best drug I have ever had, even better than Xanax. It relaxes me instead of that sedation feeling Xanax used to give me and also lasts longer. I can now sleep better as well. So, in conclusion, Klonopin is amazing and way better than Xanax, and of course, this is to my opinion."

10 / 10
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54 Report
  • ow7en
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 16, 2019

"Along with taking clonazepam for anxiety and panic disorder, my doctor has prescribed clonazepam to help my mood due to bipolar depression. This medicine is a miracle for me, it makes me clear-headed, motivated, calm, and ready to face the world. It helped me get my life back."

9 / 10
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36 Report
  • Paullan
  • February 15, 2013

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Initially found I would wake up groggy, but after a few days, this really helped calm me. I take it in combination with Seroquel, Buspar, and Wellbutrin. Coming off Effexor due to the sexual side effects and up to 75 mg/day. Also on Adderall twice a day and find the combination helps me concentrate and feel much better about myself. Before this combination, I was suicidal. Now, I even look forward to the next day. I can't guarantee this combination works for everyone, but I've tried MANY with limited success, so it's refreshing to know something is working, and if I could help another person feel the way I feel."

8 / 10
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61 Report
  • Calm...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 21, 2014

"I have anxiety attacks, restlessness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder. My doctor put me on 1 mg Klonopin about a year ago, and now I can handle life again. Since age 19, when my mother died, I have had post-traumatic stress disorder and major anxiety problems. But since the doctor put me on this, the whole family says I'm a different person. It also controls my bipolar disorder, I no longer (flip out), as my daughter calls it. So yes, I agree that it is a miracle."

10 / 10
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54 Report
  • MoonS...
  • July 29, 2008

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Klonopin works. I can go from anger to a puppy within fifteen minutes or less. Sometimes when I anticipate a major issue, I take one to prepare myself, and I'm fit to go nice and smooth. No anxiety, no anger, just calm, cool, and collected. It's an excellent anxiety medication."

9 / 10
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76 Report
  • Manuel
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • May 15, 2016

Klonopin (clonazepam) "Great for 'resetting' at bedtime when feeling a little upswing with bipolar. I have noticed after a day of being a little up, the Klonopin drops the intensity and brain energy nicely to allow for rest and relaxing. I do notice that if I don't take it, because I may not feel like I need it one night, that it is harder to get to sleep. I also have experienced some short-term memory loss when taking 1.5 mg (3 x .5 mg) the next day. It has also helped me with anxiety when depressed. Great drug!"

9 / 10
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44 Report
  • Kirk
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 3, 2017

"I have been using 2 mg of clonazepam at night for over 3 year with 60 mg of fluoxetine in the morning. I have found I feel much better than the regimen of seroquel, clonazepam, wellbutrin, fluoxetine and atarax I was previously on. I find the clonazepam works better than tegretol, valproic acid or lithium for me. Clonazepam has anti-seizure properties as well as anxiolytic properties that work well for me along with with the mood lift Prozac gives. I recommend it if you have Bipolar Disorder."

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Marissa...
  • March 13, 2018

"Since a teenager I was thought to be just depressed (2 suicide attempts and months in hospitals). I spent my early years on Welbutren(sp?) at 18 after another episode, I was switched to Zoloft. I stayed on that for almost 2 years, but would go from feeling nothing at all, to pacing in my room not able to sleep for days. Scared to death about everything. After I’d come out of these phases, that some times lasted months, I would sit back and be embarrassed for all my outrageous actions (quitting colleges, acquiring far too many ferrets, because I honestly believed they’d save me, only wearing one outfit but insisting to do my laundry every day etc...) Finally at the age of 24 I was prescribed Klonopin. .05 mg up to 3 Times a day. 90 a month. Suddenly I could sleep again. I didn’t believe in mysterious rituals, I could actually hold down a job. I was diagnosed with Bipolar depression and got prescribed Klonopin paired with lexapro. It has literally been life changing."

9 / 10
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34 Report
  • Stras...
  • May 1, 2014

Klonopin (clonazepam) "It really calms me down when I get acute panic attacks. Dr. allows me to take up to one 2 mg tab as needed during the day. I do find myself taking up to 2 tabs a day and 1 at night to help with sleep. Nothing else seems to work."

9 / 10
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47 Report
  • MyFig...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 7, 2017

"I have bipolar 2 with rapid mood cycling occasional suicidal ideations. After taking citalopram for 12 years for what doc thought was regular depression, I went off that and now searching for mood stabilizer for bipolar moods. Clonazapam 0.5 2x daily helped stabilize my anxiety after all of this and Ativan 0.5 as needed for panic attacks. Clonazapam is great because it stays in your system much longer than Ativan. Overall, Clonazapam is a life saver for me (especially at time with PMS moods!) Still searching for a good mood stabilizer bc I still have 'bad' days though but always stay POSITIVE THIS TOO SHALL PASS keep going to your doc and psych! Peace."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • Miss...
  • August 30, 2019

"I have bipolar and borderline. Clonazepam doesn't help treating my diseases, but is very helpful at minimizing many symptoms as anxiety, panic attack, insomnia and similar, so it makes life much easier."

10 / 10
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27 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 19, 2012

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and through the years, extreme anxiety came along with it. I did not care for all the other bipolar medications. Mixing Prozac and Klonopin to treat bipolar helps dramatically. I didn't even realize Klonopin is used for bipolar until I was on this site, and now I know that this is the right medication for my symptoms."

7 / 10
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51 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 17, 2018

"I suffered for years with anxiety due to Bipolar. Finally saw a pdoc that prescribed me with Clonazepam. I take 0.5mg daily though am only suppose to take it when things are bad. I notice when I take it daily then everyday is good. When things are really bad I take 1.5mg per day split throughout the day. So far after 2 years everything is going well and I can function like the norms do."

9 / 10
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31 Report
  • astig...
  • April 4, 2012

Klonopin (clonazepam) "I've been taking clonazepam off and on for 20 years at the lowest dose: 0.5 mg. The script is to take 1 up to 3 times a day, as needed. I take lamotrigine, 100 mg twice a day as my primary mood stabilizer. But there are times when stress starts to overload my already noisy brain, and that's when I take the clonazepam. There are side effects. If I've been taking it on a more or less daily basis for a while, I get constipation, dry mouth, and lack of coordination (I get wobbly and bump into things or list to one side like a boat in a swell). It's momentary, though! Despite these side effects, I continue to take it because it really helps me. Bipolar disorder is bad, and this helps me function 'normally'."

8 / 10
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49 Report
  • Dee
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • February 5, 2021

"I have used klonopin off and on for over 20 years as a PRN for my bipolar disorder. It works extremely well at managing anxiety and panic attacks. It also helps with sleep. I use CBT with my therapist to help manage my routine. If I get off my routine and stop using klonopin I become manic which is detrimental to my life in many ways. I have tried several different meds but none works as well as klonopin for me."

10 / 10
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19 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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