How Long Does Klonopin Withdrawal Last?

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a benzodiazepine drug commonly prescribed for treating anxiety and insomnia. Withdrawal from this drug typically includes a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability. In some cases, life-threatening seizures can occur, which is why it's important to work with your care provider.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict exactly how Klonopin withdrawal will affect you, but many people have symptoms for several weeks. Read on to learn about Klonopin withdrawal symptoms, why they occur, and treatment options.

Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline

Klonopin is a long-acting benzodiazepine with a half-life of 30 to 50 hours. So, you can expect Klonopin withdrawal symptoms to start anywhere from two to seven days after your last dose. According to experts at the World Health Organization (WHO), acute symptoms typically continue on and off for two to eight weeks.

Signs & Symptoms of Klonopin Withdrawal

Abrupt discontinuation of Klonopin can cause symptoms such as:

• Blood pressure changes
• Dizziness
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Rapid heart rate
• Seizures
• Tremors

Among people using benzodiazepines for more than six months, about 40% experience moderate-to-severe withdrawal symptoms. The other 60% still have benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, but they are milder.

Your healthcare provider may taper you off this drug over the course of weeks or months. However, bothersome withdrawal symptoms can still occur when dosages are reduced slowly.

Why Does Klonopin Withdrawal Occur?

Klonopin is intended for short-term use. When taken long-term, there is a risk of developing a physical dependence. So, when someone is dependent on a drug like Klonopin, they are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it or reduce their dose.

Some people take their medication as directed by their physician; others acquire this drug illegally or intentionally take it more often or in larger doses than they should. Klonopin misuse can affect withdrawal duration and symptom severity. It can also increase the risk of overdose symptoms or even death.

Stopping Klonopin With Tapering

The best way to successfully quit Klonopin is to follow a slow tapering schedule. Tapering, which means gradually reducing your dose over time, is also the best way of preventing severe withdrawal symptoms.

Tapering your Klonopin dose is a way of tricking your body into thinking it’s not in withdrawal. It is not an exact science, which means your tapering schedule should be updated as you go along. You will need to work closely with a physician who can adjust your dose every few days or weeks, as necessary.

Tapering Schedule

The ideal duration of your taper will depend on several factors, including your starting dose and primary goals. Studies in primary care settings have found that a gradual taper over at least 10 weeks is most successful. Some people continue their taper for a year or more. 

There is no universal tapering rate. The research suggests that generally speaking, slower tapers are more successful. If you are doing a slow taper, your physician will only reduce your dose every two or three weeks, and the reductions will be small. People taking high doses of benzodiazepines may start with a quicker taper and slow down once a lower dose has been achieved. 

If your withdrawal symptoms become too much to handle, your healthcare provider can slow down the taper and even increase your dose. The dose reductions are so small that you may not even notice them after the first couple of weeks.

Klonopin Withdrawal Treatment

Treatment for Klonopin withdrawal may include the following.

Psychotherapy

The long-term success of Klonopin withdrawal depends on a successful taper. Some studies suggest that withdrawal is more successful when done with psychotherapy (talk therapy). Other studies show that the results are about the same.

Treatment Resources

If you are interested in stopping or reducing your Klonopin intake, the best place to start is with your primary care physician. If you don’t have a primary care provider but have health insurance, check your insurance company’s website for a list of providers.

If you do not have health insurance, you can go to a community clinic in your area. Community clinics will treat you, regardless of your ability to pay. To find a community health center near you, the U.S. Health Resource and Services Administration provides an online directory that is searchable by area.

Coping With Klonopin Withdrawal

If you are experiencing Klonopin withdrawal, you can do a few things to find relief. First and foremost is to find the help of a professional. Other ways to reduce your discomfort and make withdrawal easier include the following:

• Ask someone for assistance: If you are tapering on your own, give your bottle of pills to someone you trust. Have them dispense them to you according to the tapering schedule you have established with your healthcare provider.
• Try over-the-medications: If it’s okay with your physician, you can treat headaches and muscle aches with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.
• Let your loved ones know what's going on. Ask that they cut you some slack if you become easily agitated or annoyed.
• Focus on getting quality sleep. Try a natural sleep aid like melatonin or a soothing sound machine.
• Exercise. This can help you burn off your restlessness and calm your mind.
• Try relaxation techniques. Consider meditation, yoga, or a warm bath. Other strategies such as deep breathing and mindfulness meditation can also be helpful for easing stress.