How Long Do Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Among the most addictive prescription drugs, benzodiazepines are often recognized for their powerful effects on the central nervous systems of users as well as their high potential for misuse, dependence, addiction, and possible dangerous interactions with other substances. While these prescription medications can be an effective treatment option for certain conditions, including severe anxiety, panic disorders, and seizure disorders, these potent drugs need to be closely monitored to prevent harm to users. Another thing to watch out for is what happens if someone suddenly quits taking these drugs after a long period of time, including the potentially dangerous side effects of things like Klonopin withdrawal symptoms.
Table of contents
» What Is Klonopin?
» What Are the First Symptoms People Notice During Klonopin Withdrawal?
» How Long Does It Take to Feel “Normal” Again After Stopping Klonopin?
» Why Is It Unsafe to Stop Klonopin Suddenly Without Medical Help?
» Key Takeaways on Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
» Resources
What Is Klonopin?
Klonopin is a brand name for clonazepam, one type of benzodiazepine that acts as a central nervous system depressant—meaning it slows down the patient’s nervous system. This can be an effective treatment for many conditions, such as:
- Seizure Disorders: Certain seizure disorders can be successfully treated with Klonopin. These include absence seizures and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. While it’s an effective medication, it might not work over the long term because of patient tolerance to the drug.
- Panic Disorders: People who have panic disorders that result in intense fear and anxiety leading to panic attacks can treat this condition with Klonopin.
- Other Conditions: Klonopin is also occasionally prescribed to treat a whole host of different conditions, such as restless legs syndrome, Tourette’s syndrome, and insomnia.
Klonopin can cause many common side effects, including:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Coordination problems
- Memory problems
- Body aches or headaches
- Sneezing
- Feeling sad or losing interest or pleasure in things
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Appetite loss
- Loss of sexual interest
Less common side effects can include urinary problems, feeling unwell, joint pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, slurred speech, and more. In addition, users can suffer from rare side effects like feeling a sensation of tingling or pins and needles, as well as chest pain, flu-like symptoms, swelling, vision changes, and nightmares.
If too much Klonopin is taken, patients can suffer from overdose symptoms that include:
- Mood swings
- Difficulty speaking or walking
- Losing consciousness
- Feeling agitated, confused, or restless
What Are the First Symptoms People Notice During Klonopin Withdrawal?
Benzodiazepines like Klonopin can easily lead to dependence if taken for more than a short period of time, meaning the person needs this drug to feel normal. If someone suddenly quits taking a benzodiazepine after an extended period, they can quickly start to suffer from withdrawal as their body struggles to continue operating normally without the drug.
Klonopin withdrawal symptoms often begin with certain problems, such as:
- Rebound Anxiety or Panic: Patients who were taking Klonopin to treat panic disorder or anxiety will often start to experience these things again early in their withdrawal from the drug. They might have a panic attack, for example, or feel overwhelmed by anxiety.
- Sleep Problems: Insomnia, difficulty sleeping, and intense nightmares are common.
- Mood Changes: Irritation, agitation, and rapid mood swings are all common.
- Pain: Withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, muscle pain, muscle stiffness, tremors, excessive sweating, and dizziness.
- Cognitive Issues: Withdrawal can cause problems with concentrating or remembering, as well as lead to general feelings of extreme fatigue or even weakness.
- Stomach Problems: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and appetite loss are commonly reported.
In addition to these early signs of withdrawal, quitting Klonopin suddenly can cause distressing problems like changes to heart rate or blood pressure. It’s estimated that about 40% of people who have used benzodiazepines like Klonopin for six months or longer will suffer from moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit the drug, while the rest will have milder withdrawal symptoms. Unlike the symptoms of addiction to pain pills, it can be harder for others to recognize the signs of Klonopin withdrawal symptoms in loved ones due to how many of the symptoms are less physical and more cognitive and psychological.
While many withdrawal symptoms are distressing but not life-threatening, other possible problems can indeed endanger the person, especially extremely dangerous seizures and severe psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and altered perceptions. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, they need emergency medical attention. Because of the high risk of withdrawal, patients must seek medical supervision and help if they’re going to quit taking a benzodiazepine after a long period of usage.
How Long Does It Take to Feel “Normal” Again After Stopping Klonopin?
Klonopin is a type of long-acting benzodiazepine, meaning it can remain in the user’s system for multiple days as it slowly dissipates. It’s also intended only to be taken for a short period of time—taking benzodiazepines for months and months can easily lead to tolerance, dependency, and addiction, as well as significantly increase the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms once the medication is quit.
Because of this long-acting nature, Klonopin withdrawal symptoms will typically take two to seven days to start after the last dose is taken. The worst of withdrawal will generally be noticed for multiple weeks or months, followed by less-severe withdrawal symptoms (especially heightened anxiety and panic symptoms) for many more months or until the patient is put on another kind of treatment for their anxiety and panic disorders.
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Why Is It Unsafe to Stop Klonopin Suddenly Without Medical Help?
Klonopin withdrawal symptoms can range from distressing and uncomfortable, such as rebound anxiety and panic, to potentially life-threatening, especially if the person starts to suffer from seizures as their body reacts to no longer having the drug in the system. That’s why it’s so dangerous to quit a benzodiazepine like Klonopin cold turkey at home. Instead, it’s recommended to seek medical help.
Slowly tapering off the drug can minimize and prevent withdrawal symptoms from happening, making the process much less uncomfortable and less dangerous. Drug rehab residential programs for addiction to benzodiazepines typically begin with a short period of time in a medical detox facility, where patients can get round-the-clock medical supervision and medications to help them get through this crucial process with less distress and less risk of severe side effects that can become life-threatening.
Key Takeaways on Klonopin Withdrawal Symptoms
- Klonopin is a brand name for clonazepam, a type of benzodiazepine.
- Klonopin is approved to treat certain seizure disorders, panic disorders, and anxiety.
- It is also sometimes prescribed to treat other conditions, including restless legs syndrome, Tourette’s syndrome, and insomnia.
- Someone who has taken the drug for an extended period of time can suffer from distressing and even life-threatening Klonopin withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly quit.
- Slowly tapering off the drug and getting medical help or assistance from a drug rehab center can make this process much less distressing and less dangerous.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction to Klonopin or other benzodiazepines, WhiteSands Treatment can help. Our network of medical detox facilities and drug rehab centers offers the comprehensive treatment and medical assistance you need to get off these powerful drugs and achieve long-lasting recovery safely. Call us at 877-855-3470 and let’s get you started on the road to recovery today.
Resources
- Verywell Mind – How Long Does Klonopin Withdrawal Last?
- Mayo Clinic – Clonazepam (Oral Route)
- National Library of Medicine – The Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
