Clonazepam Taper advice for worried mom.

[[Da...]]

My autistic son was put on clonazepam 1.5 mg daily for 4 weeks.  We started a taper and are currently at 0.8 mg after 6 weeks of tapering.  He is non-verbal and I feel he is not having issues thus far.  
My question is; will the amount he was taking, and the length of time he was on them, factor into him having a good outcome for his completed taper?
 Honestly I’m scared to death of causing him harm from not doing this taper properly.  We were advised to taper .125 mg every 3 days.  I have decided to do 10% of his last dose every 7-10 days.  Am I going too fast or too slow. I just want what’s best for him, and not cause him pain.  Some of the things I’ve been reading are causing me grief, and I would just like to know if anyone has tapered with little to no problems.  Please give me some feedback.

[[Co...]]

Hello @[Da...]. Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

4 hours ago, [[D...] said:

My autistic son was put on clonazepam 1.5 mg daily for 4 weeks.  We started a taper and are currently at 0.8 mg after 6 weeks of tapering.  He is non-verbal and I feel he is not having issues thus far.  
My question is; will the amount he was taking, and the length of time he was on them, factor into him having a good outcome for his completed taper?

I understand your fear, but after short-term use, it is not only usual, but it is probably advisable to taper off over a short period. Although dependency can occur in as little as few weeks, this is not the norm.

4 hours ago, [[D...] said:

Honestly I’m scared to death of causing him harm from not doing this taper properly.  We were advised to taper .125 mg every 3 days.  I have decided to do 10% of his last dose every 7-10 days.  Am I going too fast or too slow. I just want what’s best for him, and not cause him pain.  Some of the things I’ve been reading are causing me grief, and I would just like to know if anyone has tapered with little to no problems.  Please give me some feedback.

If the aim is for your son to avoid dependency (which would make withdrawal much more difficult), in your shoes, I would have followed the medical advice to taper off by 0.125mg every three days.

If I understand correctly, your son has now been on clonazepam for a total of ten weeks. This is not ideal. If your son seems to be managing the taper well, you might increase the taper rate. The development of benzodiazepine dependency is gradual (though, it can be rapid), and is largely a function of how long the patient takes these medications. It is also dependent upon the half-life of the particular benzodiazepine (and dosing schedule), individual variability, and (probably) the specific dose too.

In your shoes, I would discuss your son's progress with the doctor who advised the original taper schedule and ask if it is appropriate for you to increase the taper rate from 10% every 7-10 days to 0.125mg every three days (or to some other rate).

There are many problems associated with extended use of benzodiazepines, particularly around dependency (or addiction). It is understandable that some of those who have been through very difficult withdrawal (those who had to follow a very slow taper) react very strongly against any suggestion of rapid withdrawal. But when this is applied to short-term use, it is usually incorrect. The reality is, after short-term use, development of dependency is unlikely. A subsequent long, drawn out taper only risks the development of dependency during the taper, making the remainder of the taper more difficult than it need be. The main driver in the development of dependency is duration of use, and this includes the time taken to taper off.*

* Please note: after extended use, the development of full, deep dependency is common. Once fully dependent (which can develop very rapidly for some people), the extra time taken to taper off does not compound the problem - a slow taper is valid and the appropriate course of action in these circumstances.

@[Da...], please consult with your son's doctors again. I understand your fear (and the fear of those who have been through a tough withdrawal), but do not let fear drive your decisions. Talk with the doctors.

[[Da...]]

Thank you Collin. So .. if he was dependent now, and I taper slow.  After the taper will he have withdrawal symptoms still.  His Family doctor feels that no matter how long he’s been on them, it should be .125-.25 every 3 days.  I’m not that comfortable with this advice at this point because he’s been on them about 11 weeks now.  All I know is I want to discontinue it as safe as possible with very few withdrawal symptoms, and hopefully no further problems.  If I was to taper .125 every week, I’m hoping to get him off in the next 6 weeks unless there are problems.  

On the other hand his psychiatrist who prescribed them, is encouraging us to stay on them. He feels it a safe drug and that people can take it for years.  That’s why I went to the GP for advice.  

I disagree agree with the psychiatrist, and he is aware that I disagree.  Unfortunately for my son, this psychiatrist is a specialist in Autism and I need to continue with him for other services and support.  

I’m grateful for any advice or insight you or anyone else may have for me.   My fear of this drug is probably an overreaction, but after reading other people’s stories, I am afraid to keep him on any longer.