Tapering Clonazepam from 2 mg to 1.5 mg After 2 Months
After only 2 months at 2 mg clonazepam, you can safely reduce by 0.5 mg (to 1.5 mg) over a 2-week period, as shorter-duration use carries substantially lower risk of severe withdrawal compared to long-term use. 1
Recommended Tapering Schedule
Reduce by 0.25 mg per week for 2 weeks total:
- Week 1: Take 1.75 mg daily (reduce by 0.25 mg)
- Week 2: Take 1.5 mg daily (reduce by another 0.25 mg)
This follows the established protocol of 0.25 mg reductions per week for intermediate-term benzodiazepine use 2. The 2-month duration of your increased dose means you have lower risk of severe dependence compared to patients on long-term therapy (>3 years) 2.
Why This Approach is Safe
Duration matters significantly: The FDA label emphasizes that patients at highest risk for withdrawal are those on "higher dosages and longer durations of use" 1. Your 2-month exposure is relatively brief, making a 2-week taper reasonable rather than the more gradual approaches needed for long-term users 2, 3.
The 0.25 mg weekly reduction is evidence-based: A study of patients who had been on clonazepam for over 3 years successfully used 0.25 mg weekly reductions once they reached lower doses, with 68.9% completing withdrawal successfully 2. Since your exposure is much shorter, this same rate should be well-tolerated 2.
Expected Withdrawal Symptoms (Likely Mild)
Monitor for these common but typically mild symptoms during tapering 1, 2:
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Insomnia or sleep disturbance
- Tremor or shaking
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Sweating or palpitations
These symptoms are usually mild after short-term use and resolve within days to weeks 2. The FDA notes that acute withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, insomnia, and tremor, but severe reactions (seizures, delirium) are primarily associated with abrupt cessation or long-term high-dose use 1.
Critical Safety Considerations
Never stop abruptly: Even after 2 months, abrupt discontinuation can precipitate acute withdrawal reactions including seizures 1. Always taper gradually 1, 3.
If withdrawal symptoms become significant: Slow the taper further by reducing by 0.125 mg per week instead, or hold at current dose for an additional week before continuing 3. A commonly used safe approach is reducing by 25% every 1-2 weeks 4.
Avoid concurrent CNS depressants: Do not use alcohol or opioids during the taper, as benzodiazepines combined with other CNS depressants significantly increase overdose risk 4.
When to Seek Help
Contact your prescriber immediately if you experience 1:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Severe confusion or hallucinations
- Suicidal thoughts
- Severe tremors or muscle rigidity
- Inability to tolerate the taper despite slowing the reduction
Protracted withdrawal syndrome (symptoms lasting >4-6 weeks) is possible but less likely with your shorter exposure duration 1.