How Long Does Klonopin Stay In Your System?

Some people believe all prescription medications are safe. They may think that prescription medications have fewer risks or side effects than illicit drugs or that it’s always safe to take them.

However, some prescription medications have a risk for abuse and addiction. Klonopin is a prescription medication that doctors prescribe to help people manage anxiety and panic disorders. It is effective at helping people feel less anxious, but people can also abuse it.

Klonopin abuse can lead to physical dependence and addiction. It’s important to know the risk of abuse and addiction and only use Klonopin as your doctor tells you to.

This article will explore Klonopin abuse and addiction. You will learn how long Klonopin can be detected by different drug tests.

Contact the treatment team at Archstone Behavioral Health to learn how long Klonopin stays in the body. You can also schedule an intake assessment or learn about our supportive treatment plans.

What is Klonopin?

Klonopin is the brand name for a drug called clonazepam. Klonopin is a prescription benzodiazepine. Doctors prescribe Klonopin to patients with panic disorders, anxiety, and certain types of seizure disorders.

Klonopin works by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a natural brain chemical that has a calming effect on the central nervous system.

Mental health and medical experts believe that low GABA levels can cause symptoms of anxiety and panic. When people take Klonopin, they may experience fewer of these symptoms.

The Side Effects of Klonopin

In addition to relieving anxiety, some people may experience unwanted side effects. These include:

• Fatigue
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Mood changes
• Poor coordination
• Balance problems
• Memory problems
• Nausea
• Appetite loss
• Impaired concentration

Some people may experience more severe side effects, including:

• Low blood pressure
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Depression with suicidal thoughts
• Increased heart rate

Misusing Klonopin increases the risk of severe side effects.

How is Klonopin Metabolized? Half-Life, Metabolism, and More

The half-life of clonazepam can vary from person to person due to factors such as age, liver function, and other medications being taken. However, on average, the half-life of clonazepam is estimated to be around 30 to 40 hours in adults. This means it takes approximately this amount of time for the concentration of clonazepam in the bloodstream to decrease by half.

Based on the half-life, it can take several days for Klonopin to be fully eliminated from your system. After about five to seven half-lives (150 to 280 hours), most of the drug should be cleared from your body.

Klonopin is processed by the liver, where it’s broken down into smaller parts, or metabolites, that the body can easily get rid of. Klonopin and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine. Only a small fraction of the administered dose is excreted unchanged in the urine. Both clonazepam and its metabolites can be detected in urine drug screens.

How Long Does Klonopin Stay in Your System?

Drug testing can determine if Klonopin is present in a person’s body. Klonopin has a long half-life. This means that the drug will remain detectable for a long time.

Additionally, the detection window for Klonopin (clonazepam) in drug tests can vary depending on several factors, including the type of test used, the sensitivity of the test, the dosage and frequency of Klonopin use, individual metabolism, and the specific sample being tested (urine, blood, saliva, or hair).

Here is an overview of how long clonazepam stays in your system and remains detectable in drug tests.

Urine test

The long half-life of Klonopin means it stays in the body for a long time. Urine tests may detect Klonopin for up to a month after your last dose.

Saliva test

Saliva testing can typically detect Klonopin for 5 to 6 days after your last dose.

Hair test

Hair tests are not common. However, Klonopin may be detectable in hair for up to 28 days after your last use.

Factors That Affect How Long Klonopin Stays in Your System

Several factors can affect how long Klonopin stays in your system, including:

• Age
• Gender
• Overall health
• Amount you used
• Body composition and weight
• How often you take Klonopin
• Using Klonopin with alcohol or other drugs

If you or someone you love abuses prescription drugs or develops Klonopin addiction, seek help as soon as possible.

Klonopin Abuse

People who start taking Klonopin to manage anxiety symptoms may experience pleasant side effects, including:

• Feeling calm
• Drowsiness
• Euphoria

People may like these pleasant feelings and want to take more Klonopin than their doctor told them to.

Prescription medications can be dangerous if you take them differently than prescribed. Klonopin misuse includes:

• Taking a higher dose than prescribed
• Taking it more often than prescribed
• Taking it for longer than prescribed
• Taking it differently than prescribed, such as crushing and snorting Klonopin
• Using Klonopin without a prescription

People who misuse Klonopin for any amount of time may develop tolerance. Tolerance means that a person’s body has adjusted to a substance. People with tolerance to Klonopin need to take higher or more frequent doses to get the effects they want.

Research shows that people can develop tolerance to Klonopin very quickly. About ⅓ of people taking prescription Klonopin for four weeks or longer exhibit signs of tolerance.

Misusing Klonopin puts people at risk for a life-threatening overdose.

Understanding Klonopin Addiction

People who misuse Klonopin may become addicted to it. Klonopin addiction can change a person’s mental and physical health. Some of the signs of Klonopin misuse and addiction include:

• Taking Klonopin without a prescription
• Buying Klonopin illegally
• “Doctor shopping” (having several prescriptions for Klonopin from different doctors)
• Significant changes in sleep and appetite
• Needing to take more Klonopin to get the desired effects
• Isolating
• Neglecting relationships, hobbies, and responsibilities
• Spending a lot of time and energy getting, using, and recovering from using Klonopin
• Mixing Klonopin with other drugs or alcohol

If you or someone you love are addicted to Klonopin, seek treatment as quickly as possible. Getting help and support can help you overcome addiction and work toward a healthier future.

Treatment for Klonopin Abuse and Addiction

It can be very challenging to stop using Klonopin on your own. People who try to stop usually experience withdrawal symptoms that can make it hard to complete detox.

Klonopin withdrawal symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
• Hallucinations
• Tremors
• Seizures

Get Treatment for Klonopin Abuse and Addiction Today

A comprehensive benzodiazepine treatment program can help you detox safely and learn how to avoid relapse.

Reach out to the team at Archstone Behavioral Health now to find the treatment you need to overcome Klonopin addiction.