Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
Klonopin (Clonazepam) is useful for treating seizures and panic disorders, but stopping it suddenly can lead to challenging withdrawal symptoms. Understanding these symptoms and following a gradual, medically supervised taper can help ensure a safer detox experience.
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What Is Klonopin Withdrawal?
Klonopin (Clonazepam) is a brand-name benzodiazepine prescribed to treat seizures and panic attacks. While Klonopin can be a valuable part of an epilepsy or panic disorder treatment plan, around 17% of people who take benzodiazepines abuse them.
What’s more, stopping Klonopin abruptly can lead to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms—even if you take it under medical supervision.
Klonopin withdrawal is a series of physical and mental symptoms that occur when you stop taking the drug. People who have taken Klonopin for at least three to four weeks are at risk of developing withdrawal symptoms.
Additionally, individuals with a Klonopin addiction are especially at risk for experiencing severe, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
What Causes Klonopin Withdrawal?
Klonopin causes your brain to produce more gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which makes you feel calm. It also increases levels of serotonin, the “happy chemical.”
When you develop a physical dependence on Klonopin, your brain slows down natural GABA production.
Without the drug, your brain struggles to achieve balance and compensates by kicking your central nervous system into high gear. It’s this overactivity in the central nervous system that causes withdrawal symptoms.
Common Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
Acute withdrawal symptoms from quitting Klonopin can begin a day or two after the last dose and can peak at around two weeks after last taking Klonopin.
Everyone’s experience is different, but common symptoms of Klonopin withdrawal can include:
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Palpitations
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Ear ringing
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Muscle pain and stiffness
It can also include mental symptoms such as:
- Heightened anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Confusion
- Cravings for the drug
- Paranoia
- Heart palpitations
- Irritability and restlessness
- Poor memory and concentration
Some people may also experience dangerous symptoms, like grand mal seizures.
The risk of seizures is the highest in people who stop taking Klonopin abruptly and have taken the drug for at least one month and/or were using Klonopin in high doses.
Long-Term Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
Around 10 to 15% of people who stop taking benzodiazepines develop post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), which causes long-term benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.
PAWS symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Poor memory and concentration
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Shaking and tremors
- Ear ringing
- Gastrointestinal upset
PAWS can last from a few months to a year or longer, but the risk of developing it is higher in people who stop Klonopin “cold turkey.”
Klonopin Withdrawal Timeline
It’s important to taper off Klonopin gradually under medical supervision since stopping abruptly increases the risk of seizures, PAWS, and other intense side effects of Klonopin withdrawal.
Everyone’s Klonopin withdrawal timeline is different since it depends on your usual dosage and the amount of time you’ve taken the drug. That said, some research indicates that withdrawal periods lasting at least 10 weeks are the most successful for long-term abstinence.
You can expect Klonopin withdrawal symptoms to begin around two to seven days after your last dose.
Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms don’t always follow a linear pattern and may get worse or better throughout your withdrawal period.
How Do People Safely Withdraw from Klonopin?
Klonopin is a long-acting benzodiazepine, meaning that it stays in your system longer than other benzos, like Xanax.
For comparison, Klonopin has a half-life of 30-40 hours, while Xanax has a half-life of around 11 hours.
While that may sound discouraging when detoxing is your goal, limited research suggests that more people stick to their tapering schedules when tapering off a long-acting benzodiazepine.
Your medical team may have you taper off Klonopin by gradually reducing your dose over weeks.
They may also suggest switching to an equivalent dose of diazepam, an even slower-acting benzodiazepine, at the start of your taper to make the withdrawal process easier.
Medical Detox for Klonopin
Most people go through Klonopin withdrawals with a medical detoxification (detox) program. During a Klonopin detox, medical professionals will monitor your vitals to ensure you’re detoxing safely and intervene if you experience complications.
Both inpatient and outpatient medical detox programs are available. Inpatient programs are generally better suited for people with more severe substance use disorder, while outpatient programs may be ideal for people with less intense needs.
Klonopin Tapering Schedule
Your exact Klonopin tapering schedule will be personalized for you, but each reduction should last at least one week. Longer intervals between reductions lead to smoother withdrawals.
You can see an example of recommended Klonopin tapering period lengths below.
| Length of time on Klonopin | Length of taper |
| 2 – 8 weeks | 2 weeks or longer |
| 8 weeks – 6 months | 4 weeks or longer |
| 6 months – 1 year | 8 weeks or longer |
| 1 year or longer | 6 to 18 months |
Complementary Medication
Even with a slow taper, you may still experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. However, prescription or over-the-counter complementary medications may help you find relief.
Complementary medications are often used to treat:
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
Additional Support During Klonopin Withdrawals
While a medical detox program will help you physically transition off Klonopin, it won’t address any co-occurring mental health issues or underlying causes of addiction. For that reason, you may choose to seek mental health support from a therapist or counselor.
A 2022 research review found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) led to higher treatment success rates for benzodiazepine addiction compared to tapering alone. CBT is a form of talk therapy that challenges your thinking patterns and teaches you to develop new coping skills.
Other people may find a sense of belonging in a drug addiction support group. One of them is Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a 12-step program where members meet to share accountability and help each other work toward long-term recovery.
You can find local meetings with NA’s meeting finder and online meetings with VirtualNA.org.
Find Substance Abuse Treatment for Klonopin Withdrawals
Klonopin withdrawals can cause uncomfortable and potentially dangerous symptoms, but the risk significantly decreases when you follow a slow tapering schedule under medical supervision.
If you or a loved one needs help detoxing from Klonopin or another benzodiazepine, resources are available to start your journey.
Visit SAMHSA’s online treatment locator to find addiction treatment programs in your area. Reaching out is the first step to getting your life back from addiction.
FAQs About Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
What is the most common Klonopin withdrawal symptom?
There isn’t a single most common withdrawal symptom for Klonopin. But Klonopin withdrawals can cause anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, headaches, nausea, aches, and muscle tension.
How can I safely quit Klonopin?
You should never attempt to withdraw from Klonopin or any other benzodiazepines by yourself due to the seizure risk. Instead, contact your regular healthcare provider or SAMHSA’s treatment hotline to find a medical detox program that suits your needs.
Can I experience Klonopin withdrawals even if I am not abusing it?
Yes. Even people who take the drug under a doctor’s supervision can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop their Klonopin use.
How long do Klonopin withdrawals last?
The amount of time your withdrawal period lasts depends on how long you’ve taken Klonopin. But, in general, most withdrawal periods last between two to eight weeks.
What are the first signs of Klonopin withdrawals?
Klonopin withdrawal symptoms don’t follow a linear pattern, and you may experience any combination of symptoms throughout your withdrawal period. But, in general, symptoms start two to seven days after your last dose.
What should I do if I think I’m having Klonopin withdrawals?
If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms and aren’t under medical supervision, you should contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Call emergency services if you’re experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, confusion, or hallucinations.
Do I have to check in to a treatment center for Klonopin withdrawals?
No. You can complete a medical detox program without rehab. People with milder addictions or physical dependence may also benefit from outpatient medical detox programs, where you’ll live at home and visit the clinic like a regular doctor’s appointment.
