Klonopin Withdrawal: Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment

What you will learn

• Klonopin is a benzodiazepine that’s prescribed for anxiety and seizures.
• Klonopin can cause dependence and addiction with prolonged use.
• If you stop Klonopin use suddenly, it can cause potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
• Treatment for Klonopin withdrawal and addiction includes medical detox and substance use disorder treatment programs.

Klonopin, or clonazepam, is a benzodiazepine drug that’s used to treat anxiety disorders and seizures. Though generally safe when taken as prescribed for short periods, Klonopin has a high potential for dependence and addiction.

If you take Klonopin for extended periods, your body can become dependent on it. If you stop abruptly, potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms may occur. Learn more about Klonopin withdrawal symptoms, timeline, and treatment options.

What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is the brand name for clonazepam, an anxiolytic drug in the benzodiazepine class. It’s used to treat anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and seizures. It works by increasing the presence of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), producing calm feelings.[1]

While Klonopin can calm the nervous system to relieve anxiety and stress, it also may be misused or abused for its relaxing effects and to get high. Doing so increases the risks of developing dependence and addiction.

Side Effects of Klonopin

Klonopin can have side effects that range from mild to severe, including:[2]

• Drowsiness
• Unsteadiness
• Dizziness
• Poor coordination
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor memory
• Increased saliva
• Muscle or joint pain
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Changes in sex drive

Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms

Klonopin can cause physical dependence with regular use. This means the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug and can function normally. When you stop using it abruptly, severe withdrawal symptoms can occur, some of which may be life-threatening.

The symptoms of Klonopin withdrawal may include:[3]

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Stomach pain
• Hallucinations
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Seizures
• Thoughts of suicide

Acute withdrawal symptoms usually peak about two weeks after stopping clonazepam use, but some symptoms may linger for more extended periods.

Klonopin withdrawal can have potentially fatal complications. It’s crucial to monitor during the withdrawal period, including blood pressure, respiration levels, heart rate, and body temperature, all of which can spike to dangerous levels as the body readjusts to the absence of Klonopin.

Benzodiazepine withdrawal can also have severe psychological effects that may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions, such as drastic mood swings, inability to feel pleasure, panic, anxiety, nightmares, depression, and anger.

Klonopin Rebound Symptoms

Rebound symptoms can occur during the early stages of withdrawal. These include the return of symptoms that Klonopin was initially prescribed to treat, such as anxiety, panic, or insomnia. It can be challenging to determine what symptoms are from withdrawal and what is the recurrence of the original condition.

Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline

Withdrawal symptoms from Klonopin, due to its long half-life of approximately 30-40 hours, can sometimes take a few days to start after the last dose.[4]

In the first 1 to 3 days, withdrawal symptoms like mild anxiety, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping begin.[5] These early symptoms may be subtle and can be mistaken for stress or the return of previous symptoms.

In the next week or two, symptoms reach their peak. This can be a dangerous time with symptoms like hallucinations, tremors, irritability, intense anxiety, and in rare cases, seizures.[6] Medical supervision during this period is highly recommended.

Over the next 3 to 4 weeks, most physical symptoms are expected to subside. Psychological symptoms like anxiety can persist for longer, but they’re generally less intense, and sleep patterns often improve.[7]

Protracted withdrawal, also known as post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), can occur in the following weeks or months. PAWS includes psychological symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, low energy, and cravings that persist after stopping Klonopin.[8]

Factors That Affect Klonopin Withdrawal

Several factors influence the symptoms and length of withdrawal with Klonopin:

• Age: Older people may have more intense withdrawal symptoms.
• Dosage: The more Klonopin you take, the more dependent you may become on the drug.
• Length of time: The longer you take Klonopin, the more dependent the brain may become.
• Abuse of other substances: If you’re abusing other substances with Klonopin, you can experience more serious side effects and more complex and intense withdrawal.
• Co-occurring mental health disorders: Medical and mental health issues may worsen during withdrawal, particularly with anxiety or depression.
• Genetics: If you have a family history of addiction, you may experience more intense withdrawal symptoms.
• Environmental factors: A non-supportive environment or high stress may affect recovery and how well you manage your withdrawal symptoms.

Can You Quit Klonopin at Home?

Because of the risks of seizures, suicidal ideation, and protracted symptoms, withdrawal from Klonopin should never be attempted without medical supervision. It’s important to taper the dose carefully under the supervision of a doctor or as part of a medical detox program that can monitor your health while you go through withdrawal.

Is Klonopin Safe for Long-Term Use?

While Klonopin is generally safe for short-term therapeutic use, it’s not recommended for extended periods due to risks of dependence and cognitive impairment. Long-term use can alter brain function, and it can take months or years to recover after you stop.[9]

Klonopin Detox for Withdrawal

Withdrawal from a benzodiazepine like Klonopin can have life-threatening complications. It’s crucial to taper off Klonopin under the guidance of a doctor to reduce the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms.

Medical detox may be recommended in cases of Klonopin misuse and abuse, which may increase the severity of withdrawal symptoms and potential complications. This safe, medically supervised setting gives you medical support and monitoring while the drug clears your system, ensuring that you’re as safe and comfortable as possible.

Some medications can be used to help with benzodiazepine withdrawal, including:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac
• Anticonvulsant medications like carbamazepine are used to control seizures
• Natural sleep aids, like melatonin, can help with insomnia

Treatment for Klonopin Withdrawal

If you have an addiction to Klonopin, detox is just the first step. Detox helps with the withdrawal period, but there’s more to addiction than physical dependence. Entering an addiction treatment program is crucial to address the social, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction.

Addiction treatment may take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting with a combination of individual and group counseling, behavioral therapies, and other modalities tailored to your unique needs and history. This is an important part of any addiction program, but it may be more critical with Klonopin and the protracted withdrawal syndrome that can cause intense psychological symptoms.

Get Help for Klonopin Withdrawal

Klonopin can be safe when used as directed, but there’s a risk of dependence and abuse. If you’re struggling with Klonopin addiction, you shouldn’t try to quit on your own. Doing so can cause potentially life-threatening complications and prolonged withdrawal. Seek help with an addiction treatment program that addresses both the physical and mental symptoms of substance abuse.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more