How do I taper off of 0.5 mg of klonopin per day?!
Question: I have been taking 0.5mg of klonopin for a few years at night. I was having myoclonic (night) twitches and wasn't getting enough sleep because of that. I don't take any other drugs. I also think I had some anxiety which causes the twitches.
Anyway, with a dose of 0.5mg before bed, how much and how long should I reduce before stopping? I read online about it, but all the cases had higher doses and/or were taking other drugs.
I stopped klonopin before, but that was 6 years ago and don't remember what I did. I just stopped on my own. I started using it again after a couple years. I tired stopping a year and a half ago, but had too many things going on and couldn't take the withdrawal effects. I skipped my dose last night and am feeling too anxious, so I won't be stopping all at once. I don't want a substitution drug.
Does anyone know of any real life cases like mine or had a similar dosage and stopped?
Answers: I have been taking 0.5mg of klonopin for a few years at night. I was having myoclonic (night) twitches and wasn't getting enough sleep because of that. I don't take any other drugs. I also think I had some anxiety which causes the twitches.
Anyway, with a dose of 0.5mg before bed, how much and how long should I reduce before stopping? I read online about it, but all the cases had higher doses and/or were taking other drugs.
I stopped klonopin before, but that was 6 years ago and don't remember what I did. I just stopped on my own. I started using it again after a couple years. I tired stopping a year and a half ago, but had too many things going on and couldn't take the withdrawal effects. I skipped my dose last night and am feeling too anxious, so I won't be stopping all at once. I don't want a substitution drug.
Does anyone know of any real life cases like mine or had a similar dosage and stopped?
The usually recommended method of Klonopin withdrawal uses a substitution drug - which would take it off your options list.
A compounding pharmacist may be a possibility - the option is covered in 'The Ashton Manual' below, with respect to Klonopin.
There's also water titration.
Just stopping, as another option? 'The Ashton Manual' should provide an answer to this question.
How much/how long will it take? The equivalent of 0.5mg Klonopin is given as 10mg Valium.
In the Ashton Manual, tapering from 10mg Valium is given as 1-2 weeks per 1 mg drop,- so roughly 9-18 weeks. (but completely flexible and controlled by the PATIENT, not the doctor). To use a substitution method would add a little to this figure to allow for switchover.
Another tapering regime covers the 10mg Valium Equivalent to 0mg, in about 15 steps, each one of 3-4 weeks duration (link below, for your information). So that makes 9mths - 1 year. The key point is that the time it takes should be controlled by the patient, after all the patient is the one who can best tell what is right for him/her.
Similar doses:
a) Here is someone who stopped a 1mg dose of Klonopin (link below)
b) "I can certainly relate to what you are going through. I am determined to get off this drug once and for all, as I have been taking 0.5 mg. for 7 years. I never knew how additive Kolonopin was until I started weaning myself off. Now I only wish I had never started taking it in the first place. Best of luck to you."
c) "I started taking Klonopin 9 yrs ago for anxiety/major depression. I am currently on .5mg daily. I tried 3 times now to get off of this and I can't! I have done it sooooo gradual cutting it in half and taking for a couple of months etc... When I completely stop it I get flu like symptoms, shaking that do not subside. I figured this one out myself after my 1st tapering off experience. After 2 weeks of being off of the klonopin I was still really sick and getting sicker. My husband suggested that it might be the klonopin that I had stopped. So I took .5mg and within hrs I was fine!"
d) more complex 2 drug withdrawal, but the Klonopin was from 0.5mg/0.25mg (link below)
e) couple more low dose 'stops' among this thread.
f) and more in here, plus discussions of methods tried/used/contemplated
I hope there may be something in amongst this lot which may be of assistance.
I did and I took more than you do. Just take a 1/2 for a week or two. If you are too anxious on a half try 3/4 for a week and then go to a half.
Do not ever just stop taking this medication. It may cause seizures. You need to speak with your MD and discuss the tapering issue and for how long. It could be a portion of a tablet or a tablet every other day. Everyone is different. Please be safe and contact the physician who is prescribing this medication for you.
I agree with Un-Cola. You're not on enough Klonopin for stopping to cause seizures. I take that much as needed per my doc. That's stop, start, stop, start.... but I hardly ever take it now.
You could try taking it every other night.
I take Klonapin as needed.
If you can get yourself tired enough before you go to bed, this could help you notice you do not need the Klonapin.
Best Wishes