Klonopin and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2017

For Panic Disorder "This is an amazing medication for OCD and generalized anxiety. This medication has truthfully changed my life. If you are considering which benzo to take, I strongly suggest this one because it does not make you feel 'high' like Xanax does or the weird blackouts that can come from Xanax. Only thing to keep in mind is that there have been studies linking Klonopin use with Alzheimer's and overall memory issues. Best of luck!"

• gle...
• February 5, 2017

For Anxiety "I've taken Klonopin off and on for many years, and I have to say it is very effective and much longer lasting than Xanax. I've been prescribed Xanax as well, and it is effective, but I truly believe it shouldn't be taken on a regular basis, especially several times a day. It's fast-acting, and it helps with panic attacks and similar situations. But to take it day in and day out seems ludicrous. Klonopin has a much longer half-life, and I don't feel withdrawal when I come off Klonopin, that's not the case with Xanax. Not only that, on Xanax, I was finding that I would have periods of forgetfulness, meaning periods of the day. I was at a job interview, and I really couldn't tell you what was said by me or the interviewer. I did get the job, however."

• Ant...
• December 15, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I used to have panic and anxiety very bad. For many years, I self-medicated with illegal drugs. Finally, at 29 years old, I wearily went to a doctor who gave me Klonopin and an antidepressant. In one hour, I gradually felt all the panic go away, anxiety was gone. I really smiled for the first time, the world was great. I was contemplating suicide a day before I was prescribed Klonopin, this drug saved my life. I continue to take it 1 mg twice a day with Lexapro 20 mg. My life is good, and I am happy, but now my mental health doctor reads that benzo medication 'may' lead to dementia, etc. So now she wants me to stop taking it, she says she does not want her name on anything linked to her prescribing benzos. Now I must detox? Find another doctor!!"

• Man...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "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!"

• Whi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2013

For Anxiety "Klonopin works pretty well at low doses (2-4 mg). I'm 46, 6'4'', 260 lbs. Higher doses just make me drool and shuffle, and cause horribly painful foot cramps if I miss a dose or two. Low dose, no problems. One wicked side effect is memory loss and speed of comprehension. Sleep is better. Withdrawal is pretty easy at low doses. Taper from high doses. It also was a major asset in discontinuing opiates, and their various temporary-but-forever withdrawal effects."

• Eri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 16, 2017

For Anxiety "This drug should not be prescribed for more than two weeks (and this has been known since the eighties). Most doctors in the USA don't have a clue about what benzos do to the lives of the patients they are prescribing to, and especially how difficult it is for patients to withdraw from these drugs. I was completely dependent on clonazepam after 30 days and remained on it for about eight years before I realized I had to get off of clonazepam if I wanted a chance to become healthy again. It took me 7 horrifying months to taper off, and I became disabled during that time. I lost about 85% of my long- and short-term memory during that time. I am educated, but I did not research this drug before I took it. Please don't make that mistake."

• Mat...
• July 23, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I would like to share with you my experience of Klonopin. Six years ago, I went through what I think was a dramatic, life-changing event for me. My wife and I were separating for good, and everything started falling apart. I started to lose weight, get out of breath fast. Then one day, I started to have bad thoughts-thoughts to hurt myself, others, even my own family. I spent many sleepless nights on the couch. For two months, I stayed there wanting to die, waiting to die. Then finally, one day, I got up and went to see a psychiatrist. I explained to him, and he put me on Klonopin. After a few years, I noticed I started having short-term memory loss. I am currently weaning myself off, but it's very hard. Anyone else experience this?"

• fla...
• January 23, 2016

For Anxiety "Increased depression at higher doses, which are needed as your system becomes tolerant, and you always will need to increase the dosage to get relief of the anxiety, negative thoughts in general, fear of withdrawal, agoraphobia if you do run out before refill, severe memory problems the longer you are on it, tolerance develops quickly, and what started out as 0.5 twice a day is now 3 mg a day, which leads to almost constant fatigue and a general feeling of hopelessness that doesn't go away."

• jen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I started taking 0.5 mg, ending up at 3 mg daily for panic disorder. I used Klonopin and SSRI over the years. They worked for a time but then stopped; only Klonopin helped panic. Eventually, I felt rebound symptoms of panic and paranoia the longer I was on it, along with memory problems. Still recovering my life after a month off of it, and memories come back daily. Followed all directions; never abused it. Thought Klonopin was the best for 18 years. Now I have to start my life again. Daily use is a risk over a long period of time. If a doctor tries this, be your best advocate and question!"

• ser...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2012

For Panic Disorder "It did stop the uncontrollable panic from post-traumatic stress disorder, but the side effects were unbearable for me. I had loss of appetite, uncontrollable weight loss, stomach pain, memory loss, headaches, dizziness, urinary pain, thinning hair, bad acne, depression, and constipation. It was so difficult to taper without severe withdrawals that I needed a 6-month tapering schedule. My dose was 1 mg twice daily. I find that Valium or Xanax have fewer side effects."

• Wor...
• December 9, 2011

For Anxiety "My mom was put on 0.25 mg nightly Klonopin after having likely withdrawal and memory issues from Ambien. She experienced anxiety, panic attacks, and random episodes of fright/panic and memory loss. The doctors, of course, raised the dose to 0.5 mg given the anxiety, and the symptoms got worse - more anxiety, random attacks, and withdrawal symptoms in the morning. So they raised it to 0.75 mg, and she got even worse. I had to take control of the situation and spread the medicine out to 3x 0.25. This helped significantly, but nervousness continued. The doctor, not understanding her sensitivity, decided to reduce the frequency, not the dose, and this resulted in terrible withdrawal symptoms. Now using dissolved 0.125 mg rapid dissolve tablets to titrate off."

• Duk...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 4, 2021

For Panic Disorder "Works great, causes short-term memory loss big time, yeah."

• kim...
• June 21, 2016

For Seizure Prevention "Sleepiness, memory loss."