The answer to the question, “Does Klonopin help with opiate withdrawal,” is: yes, it can. Klonopin is a very common antianxiety medication. Unlike other benzodiazepines, klonopin is long acting. This makes it less likely you will become addicted to it. Klonopin can help with opiate withdrawal, when that withdrawal is carefully supervised by a treatment center. If you are considering klonopin for opiate withdrawal, you should know some things before taking it.
What is Klonopin?
Klonopin is also known as clozapine and clonazepam. It is in the benzodiazepine drug class, which also contains medications like Xanax and Valium. Doctors prescribe it to treat a variety of symptoms associated with mood disorders. According to the National Library of Medicine, it can treat:
- General anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Seizures
- Social anxiety
Some of these are associated with opiate withdrawal. Klonopin is available as a prescription medication, so it will require the help of a doctor or a treatment center. To find a treatment center, call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? .
How Can Klonopin Help with Opiate Withdrawal?
Klonopin can help opiate withdrawal by easing some of the withdrawal symptoms. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the withdrawal symptoms are:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Restless leg syndrome
- Insomnia
To some, these are the worst of the withdrawal symptoms because they are the most disturbing and disruptive to normal functioning. In addition, the only other medications approved to treat these symptoms are opiate agonists.
How You Can Get Klonopin for Opiate Withdrawal
The only way to get Klonopin for opiate withdrawal is through a doctor or a treatment center. Klonopin is one of the regulated benzodiazepines, so it is almost impossible to obtain without a prescription.
Most treatment centers provide medications such as Klonopine, as part of their course of treatment. It is often paired with medications like:
- Clonidine
- Zofran
- Anti-diarrheal medication
These take care of some of the opiate withdrawal symptoms.
Klonopine is not like the opiate substitute medications such as:
These medications contain opiates within them. Klonopin does not.
What are the Best Medications for Opiate Withdrawal Treatment?
Dangers of Taking Klonopin for Opiate Withdrawal
Like all medications, there are some possible negative side effects. These dangers are:
- Addiction
- Sedation
- Fainting or passing out
- Decreased blood pressure
- Visual disturbances
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Fever
- Fast heart beat
- Lowered blood pressure
- Overdose
Among these dangers, the worst is addiction and benzodiazepine withdrawal. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can kill you without treatment. The effects of withdrawal are:
- Anxiety
- Night terrors
- Panic attacks
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Mood swings
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Tremors
- Depression
- Elevated blood pressure
- Rapid heart beat
- Stroke
- Coma
These symptoms rapidly become dangerous. If taken as directed, you are safe from addiction, withdrawal, and these symptoms. If you start to abuse it, you can find yourself in worse shape than when you started.
When considering a question like, “Does Klonopin help with opiate withdrawal,” it is important to consider what the medication is and how it can affect you. It is best to seek the services of a qualified treatment center before taking a medication like Klonopin. To find a qualified treatment center all you have to do is call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? .