How Long Does Clonazepam Stay in Your System?
In This Article
What is Clonazepam (Klonopin)?
Clonazepam (brand name: Klonopin®) belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines.8 Like other benzodiazepines, clonazepam joins at the benzodiazepine site in GABA-A receptors to affect the central nervous system (CNS).
This means that they can be prescribed to treat:
- Panic disorders & panic attacks
- Anxiety disorders
- Seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- Akathisia
- Acute catatonic reactions
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How Long Does Clonazepam Stay in Your System?
Clonazepam can take a few weeks or more to take full effect. However, the drug can be detectable in your body for a long time.
Clonazepam has an elimination half-life of approximately 30 to 40 hours. This means it takes a person’s system around that time to eliminate at least half of the dose given.5,7
Traces of clonazepam may be present in different bodily samples. However, the length of time that it remains in the body can be affected by factors like:5,7
- Frequency of use
- Age
- Gender
- Duration of use
- Last dose
- Body fat
- Liver function
| Type of Test | Detection Time |
| Blood | 5 to 7 days after last use |
| Saliva | 5 to 6 days after last use |
| Hair | 28 days |
| Urine | 30 days |
Is Clonazepam Addictive?
Although it has a low potential for abuse, you can become addicted or dependent on clonazepam. Clonazepam or Klonopin is a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This means this drug doesn’t have a high potential for abuse or physical dependence.1
Can You Overdose on Clonazepam?
Yes. If you abuse Klonopin, you may experience an overdose. Symptoms of a clonazepam overdose may include:3
- Cardiorespiratory depression (slowed, ineffective breathing)
- Disorientation
- Areflexia (when muscles don’t react to stimuli as expected)
- Apnea (breathing comes to a halt)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Coma
In most cases, overdose with Klonopin isn’t life-threatening, and effects can be reversed.
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Side Effects of Clonazepam Abuse
If you abuse Klonopin, you may experience worsening side effects associated with the drug, including:3
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Imbalance
- Issues with coordination
- Trouble with memory or thought-processing function
- Increased saliva
- Pain in muscles or joints
- Frequent urination
- Trouble with vision
- Alterations in sexual desire or performance
Treatment for Clonazepam Addiction
If you or a loved one misuse or abuse Klonopin, different addiction treatment options are available to help treat the condition and pave the path to recovery.
Available treatment options for clonazepam addiction include:
- Inpatient treatment: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision
- Outpatient treatment: A treatment program where people are freely allowed to leave the rehab facility
- Medication-assisted treatment: Involves using medication, counseling, and therapy to treat addiction
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: A short-term therapy technique explores the link between thought patterns and addiction
Tapering may be included in your treatment plan. This is done to prevent any sudden, severe withdrawal symptoms.
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Summary
Clonazepam is the brand name for Klonopin and belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines. The drug is typically used to treat:
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Anxiety disorders
- Seizures or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome
- Akathisia
- Acute catatonic reactions
Clonazepam has a long half-life and can be detected in your body for 6 to 30 days. The detection times can vary depending on the type of test.
Although it has a low potential for abuse, you can get addicted to clonazepam. Fortunately, treatment options are available for clonazepam addiction.
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- “Benzodiazepines and Opioids.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 2018.
- “Clonazepam (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,2020.
- “Clonazepam: MedlinePlus Drug Information.” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2017.
- Moeller et al. “Clinical Interpretation of Urine Drug Tests: What Clinicians Need to Know About Urine Drug Screens.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2017.
- Negrusz et al. “Deposition of 7-aminoclonazepam and clonazepam in hair following a single dose of Klonopin.” Journal of analytical toxicology, 2002.
- NIDA. "Research suggests benzodiazepine use is high while use disorder rates are low." National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018.
- Nordal et al. “Detection Times of Diazepam, Clonazepam, and Alprazolam in Oral Fluid Collected From Patients Admitted to Detoxification, After High and Repeated Drug Intake.” Therapeutic drug monitoring, 2015.
- “Types of Medication.” National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), The College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2019.
