Clonazepam and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• vel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2020

For Anxiety "This clonazepam has been a godsend for me. I have severe anxiety and possible panic disorder, so whenever I feel really bad anxiety, I take 0.5 mg and feel better within 20-35 minutes. It can also help me sleep sometimes, which is a plus. The only con is that if you take this during the day (I've had to many times), you WILL get drowsy. Other than that, this medication has been amazing for me. I'd definitely recommend it, although everybody is different."

• Gli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 1, 2016

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I have tried every medication under the sun for anxiety! I was born anxious, I have always said. My doctor put me on Klonopin as more of a long-term anxiety medication in her mind. It was such a miracle for me. I was prescribed 1mg x 2 at night, if needed for anxiety and insomnia, at the time of my divorce. I found I was able to wake up the next day without feeling groggy if I had taken it the night before. When the panic and anxiety set in, it allowed me to calm down and get through the hardest moments. I only take it once in a while these days, but it truly helped me."

• NIC...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 11, 2014

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have both restless legs syndrome and insomnia. I have taken Clonazepam for 10 years. Started at 0.5mg, 1mg then 2mg. Decided to stop all medication a year ago and I have not slept worth a darn, as well as my restless legs syndrome has been horrible. Finally broke down last night and took a Clonazepam. Had no RLS and I did sleep, waking up only a few times. I was a little groggy this morning but certainly can deal with that. In past years I have tried many other medications with horrible results. Clonazepam has been a very positive experience for me."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "Klonopin was a great medication. I was crazy anxious and couldn't sleep at night at all. I would stay up and just read or cry with my dogs. I was also terribly anxious and depressed. Whenever my doc recommended Klonopin, I was eager to try it. I was on it only for a month though, just so I could get back on my sleeping patterns. It helped my sleep and anxiety so much! I was so thankful for Klonopin. The only reason I stopped taking it was because my sleep was once again regulated and the med caused severe drowsiness. But other than the drowsiness, it worked just fine!"

• Pil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2012

Clonazepam for Insomnia "I have severe and chronic insomnia that has caused me little (if any) sleep per night, leading to confusion and irritability in the morning, leading to delirium, if prolonged exposure to sleep deprivation was to happen to me. My doctor first prescribed me Seroquel (quetiapine) for my insomnia, which worked a little bit TOO well, as it was too heavily sedating, and left me with too many 'morning-after' effects. At my doctor's reluctance (due to substance abuse history in not me, but my family) I was given a prescription to a starting dose of 1 mg a night of Klonopin. This was amazing. As opposed to being forced to sleep by Seroquel, Klonopin lulled me to sleep. It's a wonderful medicine."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2025

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I have suffered with anxiety, OCD, and panic for most of my adult life. Klonopin definitely helps bring my anxiety and panic way down so I can think clearly, it helps my thoughts not race without making me super drowsy, but it will help me sleep if I take it at night. I recommend this for anyone with panic or extreme anxiety who needs to bring it down. It also helps very quickly :)"

• Chr...
• June 2, 2013

Clonazepam for Anxiety "This has single-handedly eradicated my free-floating anxiety/stress issues. I have experienced occasional fatigue/sleepiness as the sole side effect. I'm able to function without worry and anxiety about anything. I was wary about trying it but it has been a godsend. I have not taken it for any other purposes other than to rid unwanted anxiety and would recommend to anyone suffering with anxiety issues."

• Joh...
• March 21, 2014

Clonazepam for Anxiety "Klonopin has been a wonderful medication for me. I'm a young male who gets social anxiety and overall anxious feelings about situational matters that I just couldn't stop. Well, I take 0.5 mg of Klonopin once daily and haven't had a hint of social nor general anxiety since. I can now focus on school, interact with others with confidence, sleep well at night, and enjoy my life again. The medication gives you a steady sense of calm and tranquility without making you feel sedated (at least it does for me), and its effects last between 6-8 hours! Xanax worked as well, but it made me too sedated to adequately perform my daily schedules, plus didn't last as long."

• CPe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2013

Clonazepam for Anxiety "Klonopin has been instrumental in getting my anxiety disorder under control. I take 0.25 milligrams three times a day. Taking 0.5mg at once is too much and causes me to be a space cadet. It doesn't work as well on my rare panic attacks, but I have found other ways to cope with breathing exercises and such. Without it, I was nearly non-functioning and about to slip into a deep depression. It has leveled my mood swings and just made life much more bearable (even joyful!). I would much rather have dependency on this medicine and be happy than feel that I am constantly in crisis (and occasionally suicidal)."

• bul...
• July 10, 2016

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I am a middle-aged man who has had anxiety my whole life. In addition, I have a very stressful job. About three years ago, my wife convinced me to see a doctor. I had never taken any sort of anti-anxiety medication previously. The doctor prescribed Klonopin but was very adamant about taking it only as needed. The prescription says 1 mg, twice a day. But I only take, on average, two pills a week when I'm really stressed. As many people here have said, it started out great, then faded with time. Although it definitely helps, it's not pleasant. It's almost as if it makes me so sleepy I'm too tired to be stressed. Two years ago, I would have given it a 9. I still recommend it. Other than sleepiness, I have no other adverse effects."

• swe...
• September 29, 2013

Clonazepam for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Ano...
• November 26, 2013

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I take 2mg Klonopin 4-5 times daily along with Adderall XR 20mg 2 each morning. The combination of the two works great. I suffer from Bipolar disorder, Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and ADHD. I would get so bad I would lock myself in my room at home and cry, afraid to speak to people, just full-blown terrible anxiety. Klonopin is very effective if taken properly. It's a miracle medicine. I used to just be on Xanax 1mg 5 times daily, and it started making me angry and aggressive. Some people react differently to medications. Klonopin controls my mood, stops the worst anxiety you ever experienced in its tracks. Wonderful medication with just drowsiness as a side effect."

• Edd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2021

For Anxiety "This medicine is a godsend if you do not have addictive qualities. I thank God that my tolerance to this drug does NOT increase. I have taken higher doses that would cause non-users severe amnesia (2-4mg), and they actually do not work hardly any better than just a simple .5mg dose. If you are struggling with anxiety, I would highly recommend taking this with perhaps Celexa, and do not think twice about trying a regimen of 3 times per day. Yes, in the morning it does not cause me drowsiness. Clonazepam saved my life: got rid of rapid mood swings, gave me hope that I could calm down, and no intense withdrawals or cravings. Saved me from having to take antipsychotics for agitation and saved my marriage. The prescription guidelines for this drug are too harsh because of the general drug crisis and short-acting benzos. The prescribing guidelines specifically say that it does help a certain population with daily use, your average doctor simply doesn't want to deal with you. Blessings to all."

• Doz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2013

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have taken 1 mg oral tablets of clonazepam for several years. There are days I do not take it because it can create drowsiness. My wife was going to have to move to another room due to my every few seconds of leg movement while sleeping. This medication has completely eliminated the restless leg kicking. The side effects are the feeling of drowsiness with difficulty getting up in the morning."

• JBB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 2, 2016

For Burning Mouth Syndrome "After suffering with burning mouth syndrome for over a year, my doctor said that he had had good luck with one other patient using orally disintegrating clonazepam. I quickly got his Rx for it. It dissolves easily on my tongue (no bad taste), and I take it twice a day, 12 hours apart. After about 10 days, I can say that I am ecstatic that my burning mouth syndrome seems to have disappeared. I have a little leftover mouth pain, but that I can attribute to my upper denture. I don't know if this will work for everyone, but I certainly think it's worth a try if you can tolerate it. My only side effects were a little dizziness for a couple of days (didn't drive), then daytime drowsiness. I don't work, so this posed no problem for me. Hurray!"

• Mug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2025

For Anxiety "This clonazepam has been a godsend for me. I have severe anxiety and possible panic disorder, so whenever I feel really bad anxiety, I take 0.5 mg and feel better within 20-35 minutes. It can also help me sleep sometimes, which is a plus. The only con is that if you take this during the day (I've had to many times), you WILL get drowsy. Other than that, this medication has been amazing for me. I'd definitely recommend it, although everybody is different."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2008

Clonazepam for Anxiety "I have had moderate anxiety with agoraphobia for about 5 years. The peak of it came about just before my first day at work. My doctor placed me on 0.5 mg/day when required. I took the pill 2 days prior to work and, thankfully, I was able to focus and speak my mind. The downside is the drowsiness side effect."

• Hop...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 6, 2018

Clonazepam for Panic Disorder "I started taking this medication due to having all sorts of problems with anxiety. I had agoraphobia, panic attacks, and the whole bit. I began taking this medication, and it was a lifesaver for me. I use this medication responsibly, but even though I use it exactly as prescribed, there’s always this doctor who comes along who wants to take me off of it and have me take 3,600 mg of Gabapentin instead and put me to sleep. For some reason, Klonopin doesn’t put me to sleep, but it does calm all the anxiety, making life livable... Always trust your doctor, but you are always the best decider on what works for you."

• wiz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2024

For Panic Disorder "Klonopin saved my life when I was at my lowest. I've battled severe panic disorder for years and have tried every SSRI and SNRI on the U.S. market. I was originally prescribed Lorazepam (Ativan 1 mg) to take as needed - but was switched over to Clonazepam 0.5 mg 3x daily or as needed. I can actually function on this medication, unlike Ativan, where I was 'zombified' all of the time. It's not something you want to stay on forever, as it is addictive. Withdrawal symptoms are usually nausea, headache, tremors, vomiting, and chills. Wean down if you're going to stop taking it. Also, do not mix it with other medications like opiates or alcohol, as it makes you extremely drowsy and can lead to medical problems. However, I digress, this medication stops panic attacks dead in its tracks. Talk to your doctor about giving it a try."

• Jac...
• November 8, 2015

Clonazepam for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• nov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 9, 2019

For Anxiety "I was on a low dose of Ativan for anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD symptoms for over a decade. After so many years, it didn't work as well. Instead of raising the dosage, my pdoc recommended I give clonazepam a try. I was hesitant, I dislike change. But I'm glad I gave in and tried it, it stays in my system much, much longer than the Ativan, and I don't even need a high dosage. I take 0.5 x 2 daily as needed. It will be a year next month, and in this past year, I've had no panic attacks at all. Amazing! The side effects I've had were sleepiness and weight loss. I went from 160 lbs to 130 lbs in the first 6 months without changing anything. I do still get a little tired on it, but nothing too bad. If you're thinking of trying an anxiety med, I recommend giving this one a try."

• Ano...
• March 26, 2015

Clonazepam for Anxiety "This medicine helped with my anxiety a lot. I tend to get very anxious during the night, and it can keep me up at times. I'm on 0.5 mg, and it works great! I finally get to sleep and not constantly worry about things. Although one downside is when I wake up. I still feel sedated and tired for about 3 hours, but overall a very good medicine."

• Pre...
• August 13, 2008

Clonazepam for Periodic Limb Movement Disorder "I started on this medication for PLMD about 1 month ago. I am now able to sleep almost through the night, which for me is highly unusual. In that respect, it is great. I am, however, having some trouble feeling groggy during the day, with unclear thinking and some unsteady gait. I typically wear heels daily for my work, but have had to go to flats. The adjustment to the medication has been difficult; I feel sort of 'hung over' during the day, even though I take only one dose in the early evening to calm my legs and allow me to progress into a deep, restorative sleep. I am going to continue because even though it isn't perfect, I could not go on without being able to have any Stage 3 or Stage 4 sleep due to PLMD."

• ama...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 26, 2018

For Anxiety "I have been taking clonazepam for over 10 years. I take a 1 mg tablet 3 times a day. It helps me tremendously! I used to have bad panic attacks, and I would get so stressed out sometimes that I actually would cut myself to calm down. I started out on a lower dosage and eventually ended up where I am now. At first, it caused drowsiness, but not now. As long as I take the correct dosage 3 times per day, I am perfect! If I forget a dose, it doesn't take long before I notice it, and my family does too. I have never tried getting off of the clonazepam since I started it. If I tried, I would probably get help from my doctor and taper very slowly. It works and helps me, so I see no need in stopping taking it."

• Haf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2017

For Anxiety "For anxiety and panic disorders, I have found this drug to be extremely useful. Prior to taking clonazepam, I was under tremendous stress due to work and was suffering 2-3 panic attacks per day. Since starting on 3 x 1 mg per day, I have not had a single major panic attack. Anxiety and stress just disappear! It has also proved useful, on occasion, to help with sleep. Initially, it did make me very drowsy, but this passed within 3-4 days. Thanks to this medication, I have my life back! Would recommend to anyone with a similar diagnosis of generalized anxiety and panic disorders. The only downside is that I have experienced reluctance from doctors to prescribe it (in the UK). I had to go private in order to get it."