Klonopin and Withdrawal: What Users Say

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 11, 2016

For Anxiety "Yes, this medication works. It works very well for chronic anxiety disorder and sudden onsets of severe panic attacks. Knowing what I know now, I wish with all my being it had never ever been prescribed to me, and without the absurd nonchalance dozens of practitioners have portrayed. I'm 32 and have been prescribed clonazepam for 14 years. I've been in situations where my health insurance is in transition and I must go off the medication abruptly - this is when I realized how deep I was. Weeks upon weeks of non-stop physical, emotional, and psychological withdrawal effects that are like hell. Words cannot accurately describe just how awful it is. This, again, has been my experience during withdrawal as a long-term clonazepam patient. All skin, especially the face, becomes numb. Vision gets fuzzy and difficult to see clearly. Panic attacks become extremely exacerbated, frequent, and debilitating. Severe irritability. Worst of all: a terrifying disconnection between your mind and body; as if you're an onlooker watching and feeling this horrible thing happen to you, but not actually feeling connected to any of it - that one is tough to explain. All of this... It can last months, maybe more. That's right. Not just some one-week hump to overcome. After finding how awful the withdrawal is, I've been attempting to wean very, very slowly down from 3 2mg doses per day to eventually zero, hopefully. After six months of gradually decreasing in dose, I'm now at 2 - 1mg doses per day, and I'm not sure how or if I can go much less than that. No doctors I've had have been of any help. The wean down was my idea, and the rate of it was also my idea based on experience. It sure would be nice to meet a doctor that truly had knowledge of this withdrawal syndrome and took it a bit more seriously. I am confident that the medication is no longer treating my anxiety disorder, but simply preventing withdrawal from the meds themselves. And there don't seem to be any good alternatives. It's a long road ahead, please think it over and over with someone knowledgeable before being so quick to embrace this miracle drug. The truth is that most of us actually need very real psychotherapy, not chemicals that run our lives. Once again, all my point of view from my personal experience. It feels very good to share this."

• Mor...
• October 9, 2018

For Panic Disorder "I started on Klonopin 5 years ago when I was experiencing uncontrollable panic attacks that nearly cost me my job. Prior to that, I was taking Xanax. Xanax works great short term (but is clearly addictive and many people are prone to abuse it). I explained my concerns to my doctor and was prescribed 1 mg of Klonopin three times a day, which worked wonders but decided to taper down over the past six months. I was able to get down to 1 mg once a day without any problems but it's really tough to get lower than that without experiencing significant withdrawal. People are correct in stating that it is very difficult to get off of completely, but like all meds, you have to weigh the pros and cons. I haven't noticed any side effects thus far, nor have I felt the need to increase my initial prescribed dose (actually decreased). If panic and anxiety are ruining your life, the downsides of Klonopin are vastly outweighed by the benefits it provides. Life is too short to live with unnecessary anxiety."

• Gar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2013

For Anxiety "Please, please, please do your research before ever taking Klonopin or any drug in the benzodiazepine family. Klonopin has caused me great hardship and nearly cost me my life. And I am not alone - thousands of people have had horrific experiences with this drug. Please search 'benzo withdrawal' or similar to educate yourself. Looking back, my original anxiety was nothing compared to the torture I went through once I was addicted to Klonopin. And I am not through it yet. Words cannot explain the horror I went through. That is why I beg you to do your own research. Most doctors don't know or are in denial about the withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines. The stories you will find are not lies or exaggerations. Buyer beware! Please!!"

• Wen...
• April 2, 2014

For Anxiety "I began getting severe panic attacks in the middle of the night every night. Not just regular sleep pattern problems. But waking up wanting to be dead. This went on for a couple of years until I could not bear it anymore. My doctor prescribed me Klonopin, and it has done the trick. Prior to Klonopin, I tried Ambien, Ambien XL, and Seroquel. I personally think it's a good idea to follow your doctor's instructions and start with the milder medicine. But to those who warn of the withdrawal symptoms of Klonopin, I have to say that opinion does not apply to all. Not wanting to die in the middle of the night every night for 2 years is such a benefit to me that I will risk the withdrawal symptoms that may come with stopping later down the road."

• Har...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2016

For Anxiety "This 'medicine' ruined my life. I took it just as the doctor prescribed Clonazepam, 5 mg every night before bed. He said I would probably need them for the rest of my life. He failed to tell me these are very powerful tranquilizers (all benzos are). We are only supposed to take these for no more than 2 weeks! It worked well for many years until one day it quit working. Tolerance, withdrawal, sick 24/7, med no longer works, sheer panic. Suffering all since that day, and it's been one year off now. These meds also cause depression over the years. I had a great life until this med caused me to lose everything! Nightmare! Please, don't walk, run from this poison!"

• Rya...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 3, 2020

For Panic Disorder "Story summarized: Believe the horror stories. They are true. I started taking it as a 30-day supply for anxiety and insomnia, it helped me so much I wanted more after the 30 days. Doctor wouldn’t do it, so I moved on. Didn’t take it for months, back to the old sleepless, anxious, angry person. Got the script, it helps every single day of my life. Newsflash: Good luck stopping. Same withdrawal as heroin. I will just take the pill and feel good and normal. 8 stars because it did pull me out of the death spiral, but lost 2 because nobody on earth deserves to take this nasty ass pill. Confusing, yup. It does help with a lot of different things... but good luck leaving!! :/"

• mil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 13, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have been on Klonopin for 17 years. I started with 0.5mg in the morning with an SSRI. Over the years, all the SSRIs would work for a bit, then I would have to change. In the last year, I lost my husband suddenly at 38 and have changed SSRIs 4 times, and finally said no more. I am currently on 10mg of Lexapro and 1.5mg of Klonopin. The withdrawal of Lexapro and before that Effexor have been hellish. If not for Klonopin, I wouldn't make it through the day. Addictive or not, it works."

• Wil...
• October 2, 2019

For Panic Disorder "BEWARE! My doctor prescribed me this medication to help control my severe anxiety attacks. I was informed this medication was for emergencies only and was to take two .5 MG pills a day as needed. I only took the medication for emergencies and had no problem... UNTIL I took the medication for 5 days in a row, as prescribed, to control a bad string of anxiety attacks. When I stopped taking the medication after the 5 days, I felt horrible. I literally felt like I was losing my mind and experienced the worst anxiety and depression. It took two weeks before I felt close to being normal again and was able to leave my house. Please read about the risks of this medication. It’s highly addictive and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. Research Stevie Nicks and how this medication ruined eight years of her life. Everyone should do some research before taking this HIGHLY addictive medication. If you get comfortable with the medication, you’re dancing with the Devil."

• Dad...
• December 16, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I was dealing with financial struggles, marital problems, and I couldn’t focus on making a plan to move forward. Klonopin/Clonazepam stopped my heart from racing 24/7 and finally, I could function. Klonopin + an antidepressant did it for me. I’ve never used meds before - if anxiety is getting the best of your life - this is a good solution. Btw, I stopped Clonazepam cold turkey for 6 weeks after 6 months of 3x0.5, sure my heart started racing a little again but went back on full dose, then after 2 months I cut down to just 0.25... so not everyone is affected by the addiction or withdrawal. For those who need this drug, it works miracles. Btw, my doctor didn’t demand to down the dosage, but anyone using meds should always listen to their body and keep to a minimum if possible."

• Bel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I've been on Klonopin for probably 25 years. It's worked so much better than Xanax. I got down to taking 0.25 at night and 0.25 in the morning. But this year my mom died, and I had been her caregiver for a long time with zero support. I did great until she died, now I'm having panic attacks again. I have fought with myself about upping my dose since I do know what withdrawal is like, but today I took extra. My doctor told me I should. To be honest, I am ready to feel normal again. I'm tired of not being able to participate in life."

• Tak...
• April 16, 2014

For Anxiety "This is a miracle for me. I have experienced abrupt withdrawal, but that was my fault, and all that happened was my vision was extremely blurred and I was in bed a few days. Do not drink with this medication, take it as needed instead of all the time. Then you won't have withdrawals if you forget to take it. I don't understand why this old trusted medication isn't prescribed more often. It never produced 'euphoria' or anything like that for me or anyone I know on it - but it's dangerous with alcohol, I guess, and so many people drink. I've been on 6mg a day - which I found way too much and went down to 2mg on my own."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

"STAY AWAY FROM KLOPINOPIN OR GET OFF VERY SLOWLY BY TAPERING ASAP!!! I used to read these reviews before starting this drug for sleep and thought those that had a bad experience were probably abusing the med or those that lost everything due to the drug already had issues. Not true!!! You can be so healthy, take the dose as prescribed, and still end up in a nightmare. If I can save one person from starting this drug or any benzo/z-drug, then I will have filled part of my purpose in life. Benzos are highly dangerous, highly addictive drugs, even at the lowest dose, and withdrawals are excruciating and lengthy. DO NOT EVER TAKE FOR ANY REASON. Your initial problem will seem like nothing compared to what this drug creates."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2015

For Anxiety "Okay, here is the thing with Klonopin. It's a drug that works perfectly. There is literally no way to be anxious on a high enough dose, and benzos will be your saving grace if you are suffering from several panic attacks a day or even if you're catatonic. It's also got a pretty good record for being safe, as far as I know. Here's the bad part. Any drug that works too well, that allows you to feel too good on it, runs a high risk of dependency. Not only that, withdrawal from this drug is miserable and painful if not done correctly and under supervision. You'll be told this is 'not abusable as Xanax' because Xanax is common among recreational drug users. That's a fallacy. Klonopin is very easy to double up on and abuse. Do not mix with alcohol."

• ocd...
• February 1, 2016

For Anxiety "This drug works well 'short term.' As all of the literature you have read about it says. However, 'short term' is ambiguous. For some people, 'short term' might mean it retains its efficacy for 2 years without problem, as it did for me. If it seems you have been on this for years and it's still working, don't fool yourself. 2 important things to note. 1. Tolerance withdrawal - doctors will never tell you about this, some don't even acknowledge that it exists. This means that when your body has developed tolerance to this medicine, even though you keep taking your steady dose, you will start to experience godawful withdrawal symptoms. Believe it. 2. Taking over 1.5-2 mg per day does not provide any benefit."

• Mou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 4, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin is very effective with my anxiety disorder. However, stay away from it. You will be addicted before you know it and will seek more and more. If you don't have it, you feel like you are in hell. Withdrawal symptoms are horrible, and you lose control of everything. You will get rebound anxiety, which is worse than your original anxiety. This is so bad that you cannot function without it. Therefore, you have to continue using it to avoid the withdrawal symptoms because they are so awful. Please, if your doctor prescribed this drug, refuse it and take a non-benzo drug. You will rue the day you ever started using it. I am out of medicine now and am in just terrible shape that I cannot sleep. Yes, it is very effective at treating your disorder, but it has got to be the worst drug to come off of. I was in rehab, and even the heroin abusers didn't have as bad withdrawal as I did. Yes, run away from this drug. It will help you but eventually destroy you."

• jud...
• October 24, 2015

For Anxiety "Klonopin was fast-acting and highly effective for my anxiety. Be aware though! Very bad experiences developed on the few occasions I couldn't get a refill. The withdrawal is immediate and the world literally stops. I could not think, eat, or breathe properly. Eventually, I began taking it just to avoid withdrawal symptoms. I took it for ten years and got slowly weaned off of it."

• Bon...
• June 24, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I was diagnosed with general anxiety, social anxiety, and panic attacks about 17 years ago. I was prescribed many different medicines, but what has worked best with my panic attacks and overall anxiety is Klonopin. I was prescribed 0.5 mg 3 times daily, it has been a godsend. I do not go above my prescribed dosage and can take it any time of day and stay right on track at work, etc. I have been on this dosage for 7 years, and it's made a huge difference in my quality of life. I will say that I ran out over a holiday weekend and couldn't get any more until the following Tuesday. 3 days without it caused severe withdrawal symptoms: unable to sleep, watery mouth, dry heaves, and clammy skin, it was awful. So don't miss dosage(s) and you'll be fine."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2015

For Anxiety "I have suffered with anxiety and panic attacks since I was 7. I'm currently 33 and just discovered Klonopin. I was on Paxil for 12 years, and it was a miracle pill until I built tolerance to it and it stopped working. I've recently switched to Zoloft, and it's been a rough road. However, my psychiatrist put me on Klonopin to help ease the anxiety, and it has been amazing. I only need 0.25 mg 2 to 3 times a day, but it gave me the ability to function. Even with withdrawal from Paxil and startup side effects from Zoloft, I can still keep my head straight. Anxiety and panic are debilitating, and when I weigh my options, I'd pick Klonopin every time."

• Don...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 16, 2016

For Panic Disorder "My doctor began prescribing Klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day when I was 23 years old to help treat anxiety and sleep disorders. I took Xanax for 11 years, and it did help my symptoms, although I did build up a tolerance pretty fast but kept at the same dose. But when my doctor retired and a new doctor took over his practice, I was abruptly discontinued from Xanax. This was a dangerous thing to do. I began to go into withdrawals within one day without the Xanax. The withdrawals were excruciating and lasted for weeks. I was in constant extreme anxiety. Sleep was nearly totally absent for more than two weeks. My thoughts started to become almost to the point of psychosis, which also lasted for weeks. So never abruptly stop benzos unless medically supervised."

• Gen...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2013

For Anxiety "This medication opened up a whole new world for me. I developed a very bad anxiety and panic disorder and lived with it for years. Therapy and many other medications did not help! I didn't notice much of a difference initially, but by the time I was up to 1 mg 3 times a day, my life so greatly improved. I currently take another medication (Xanax). I was taken off the medication because I became an alcoholic. When I detoxed from alcohol, I was immediately taken off Klonopin. My only concern for people that are taking it is that if they decide to stop, please withdraw from it properly by a gradual reduction over a period of time. The hospital took me off of it without gradually reducing it. The withdrawal was horrible!"

• Raf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 26, 2015

For Anxiety "I was diagnosed with PTSD and GAD after 2 tours in combat. I began to suffer from anxiety in 2009, I was prescribed Zoloft and Klonopin .25 mg (as needed). Klonopin was an immediate relief for unexpected anxiety attacks. 15 minutes later, I was functional again. After 2 years, Zoloft destroyed my libido. So I took myself off and relied only on Klonopin. It began as needed, then 2 a week, once every day, and finally twice a day. The anxieties were reoccurring quite often, I quickly built a dependence to get me through the day. It turns out that I was getting anxiety due to my addiction to Klonopin. I decided to get off cold turkey (not recommended) and I went through 2 weeks of withdrawals. It's a quick relief but addictive. Be careful!"

• Ron...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 21, 2018

For Seizure Prevention "I've been on 2 mg, 3 times daily for the last 10 years for seizures and haven't had any problems with the drug. I've let myself run out in the past a few times, and the withdrawal is mild compared to powerful narcotic analgesics such as OxyContin or methadone."

• sbe...
• April 12, 2015

For Panic Disorder "It works. I have panic attacks, and then I have severe, full-blown, three days without sleeping panic attacks. I only take 1 mg when I am having the severe attacks, and I make sure I only take that much. I would say I take maybe 2 mg a month. The reason why is that this really should be used for worst-case scenarios and not for moderate anxiety and panic. The withdrawals are unbelievably monstrous, worse than anything else. Taking it every day is a horrible idea because you will never get off unless you go to rehab. Klonopin needs to be used with extreme caution. Get cognitive behavioral therapy for your everyday moderate panic attacks and use Klonopin for these emergency 'can't get out of this' episodes. It is a tool, not a crutch."

• Whe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 28, 2018

For Panic Disorder "Doc put me on Klonopin 2-3 mg/day after a brain injury. After a few years, my quality of life started falling quickly. After much reading, I found that Klonopin was causing the anxiety due to tolerance withdrawals, caused by increasing tolerance with no dose escalation. I was ripped off of the medication and barely survived. Six months of severe withdrawals: didn't sleep, could barely eat, muscles so stiff that walking was difficult, severe tinnitus, etc., etc. DO NOT take this medication for more than a few days or you are risking one of the most severe addictions known to man."