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Is It Safe To Stop Clonazepam Abruptly?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Question: I' m taking colenzepam 0.25 mg twice a day since last three month Should i quit suddenly or other way Please suggest me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alok Sinha (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You should quit it gradually.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXX,
Welcome to Health Care Magic.
It is a wise decision to ask about discontinuation of this drug.

The medicine Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine group of drug with sedative and anxiolytic property. This is used for treatment of anxiety and insomnia. The drug has addiction and abuse potential, hence it should be used under medical supervision only for few days/weeks.

This medicine should not be stopped at once as it may cause withdrawal discomfort, discontinuation symptoms and rebound anxiety in patient. To avoid these symptoms it is wise to gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. I suggest you to take half tablet of 0.25 mg of Clonazepam in morning and 1 tablet of 0.25 mg of Clonazepam at night for 10 days; Then half tablet morning and evening for next 10 days, then half tablet at night for next 10 days (morning dose has to be stopped after 20 days). Thus you may discontinue the drug gradually over a period of one month.

This is a safer and better way to discontinue this medicine.

I hope it answers your query. I wish you all the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alok Sinha (40 minutes later)
Sir i have also problem of gas.
Doctors gave me rebeprezole with dompreridone capsules to take in morning empty stomach..i had stopped taking this but gas is still persists..please help me to get over it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alok Sinha (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You may continue Rabeperazole and Domperidone

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXX,
welcome back.

The medicines Rabeperazole and Domperidone are very good in controlling gastric symptoms. There is no harm in continuing these medicines.

To reduce gas sensation I suggest you to adopt healthy lifestyle as follows:-
1. Go early to bed and get up before sunrise.
2. Go for jog/brisk walk in morning
3. Take frequent short meals, do not take heavy meal at a time.
4. Avoid fatty/fried/spicy food, avoid orange/gram/legumes.
5. Include salads and sprouts in your diet.
6. Take enough water

You feel the difference within few weeks.

I wish you a better health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alok Sinha (6 minutes later)
Sir i tried sudden quit for colenzepam but b after around one day of quitting i seems to problem like headache and discomfort..
Sir it is a serious problem or normal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alok Sinha (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is not a serious problem.

Detailed Answer:
Sudden discontinuation of Clonazepam may cause headache, sleep disturbance and anxiety. This is not a serious problem. You may try reducing the medicine gradually as I told you earlier. With the above mentioned dose schedule you will be fine soon.

I wish you all the best.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Alok Sinha

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 212 Questions

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Is It Safe To Stop Clonazepam Abruptly?

Brief Answer: You should quit it gradually. Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXX, Welcome to Health Care Magic. It is a wise decision to ask about discontinuation of this drug. The medicine Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine group of drug with sedative and anxiolytic property. This is used for treatment of anxiety and insomnia. The drug has addiction and abuse potential, hence it should be used under medical supervision only for few days/weeks. This medicine should not be stopped at once as it may cause withdrawal discomfort, discontinuation symptoms and rebound anxiety in patient. To avoid these symptoms it is wise to gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. I suggest you to take half tablet of 0.25 mg of Clonazepam in morning and 1 tablet of 0.25 mg of Clonazepam at night for 10 days; Then half tablet morning and evening for next 10 days, then half tablet at night for next 10 days (morning dose has to be stopped after 20 days). Thus you may discontinue the drug gradually over a period of one month. This is a safer and better way to discontinue this medicine. I hope it answers your query. I wish you all the best.