Klonopin is the brand name for a prescription benzodiazepine known as clonazepam. It is used to treat anxiety conditions like panic disorder. While Klonopin can treat panic attacks, it is also known for being addictive.
If you abuse Klonopin, you should be aware of how long it stays in your system. Knowing this can prevent you from taking too much Klonopin at once. It can also help you determine when your withdrawal symptoms will start.
Klonopin’s half-life ranges between 20 and 80 hours.[1] It has a long elimination half-life, which means it could stay in your body for 80 to 400 hours (3 to 16 days). How long it stays in your system depends on a variety of factors, including your body weight, metabolism, age, how often you abuse Klonopin, and more.
That said, Klonopin leaves behind metabolites in areas of your body like your saliva, blood, urine, and hair. This is how drug tests can tell whether you’ve recently abused clonazepam. The amount of time that a drug test can detect Klonopin varies depending on what type of test is being used.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is Klonopin?
- What is the half-life of Klonopin?
- What factors influence how long Klonopin stays in your system?
- How long can drug tests detect Klonopin?
What is Clonazepam (Brand Name Klonopin)?
Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine that is primarily used to treat seizures and panic disorders. If you have frequent panic attacks, your doctor might prescribe Klonopin for as-needed use. Since it is habit-forming and addictive, it is unlikely that you’ll be advised to take it every day.
The potential side effects of Klonopin include:[2]
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Trouble walking or unsteadiness
- Coordination issues
- Trouble thinking or remembering
- Increased saliva
- Muscle or joint pain
- Urinary issues
- Blurry vision
- Changes in sex drive or ability
If you take Klonopin regularly, you could develop an addiction. Clonazepam is a central nervous system depressant, which means it can cause mind-altering effects like drowsiness, relaxation, and euphoria. Taking Klonopin in any manner other than prescribed will lead to a substance use disorder.
If you believe you are addicted, you should stop taking Klonopin and seek help from an addiction treatment center like Palm City Wellness. We can help you overcome substance abuse, Klonopin withdrawal, and improve your mental health.
What is the Elimination Half-Life of Klonopin?
If you are wondering, “How long does Klonopin stay in your system?”, you need to know what its half-life is. An elimination half-life explains how long it takes your body to eliminate half of a dose. It can take 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be completely flushed from your body.
Klonopin’s half-life can range from 20 to 80 hours.[1] This means it could take up anywhere from 3 to 16 days for it to leave your system. Exactly how long it stays in your system depends on a variety of factors, including the dose you take, how often you consume it, and the speed of your metabolism.
What Factors Influence How Long Klonopin Stays in Your System?
The amount of time a drug like Klonopin stays in your system depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Dosage – Higher doses will take longer to metabolize than small amounts.
- Frequency of Use – The more often you use Klonopin, the longer it will stay in your system.
- Age – Older individuals might not process drugs as fast as young people due to the functioning of organs like the liver and kidneys.
- Metabolism – If you have a fast metabolism, you might process drugs faster than other individuals.
- Body Composition – People with higher percentages of body fat might process drugs more slowly.
- Liver and Kidney Health – If your kidneys or liver are damaged, you won’t be able to process drugs quickly, causing them to stay in your system longer.
- Weight- Body weight can influence the distribution of a substance, potentially affecting how long it stays in your system.
- Presence of Other Drugs – Drug interactions can inhibit or induce the metabolism of substances, causing your body to process them at a different rate.
- Hydration – Efficiently hydrated people might process drugs faster than individuals who do not drink enough water.
While all of these factors can affect how long clonazepam stays in your system, you can’t control the speed of your metabolism. In other words, there is no way to make your body process Klonopin faster. If you are trying to pass a drug test, you need to refrain from using Klonopin.
How Long Does Klonopin Stay in Your System (Drug Tests)?
If you suffer from Klonopin addiction, you might find yourself scrambling to pass drug tests. Unfortunately, there is no way to pass a drug test other than abstaining from using the drug. That said, how long drug tests can detect Klonopin depends on the types of drug tests being used.
Urine Tests
Urine tests are the most commonly used form of drug tests. They can detect Klonopin in your urine for about 2 to 4 weeks after your last dose. That said, some people say that urine tests can detect Klonopin for up to 30 days among heavy or chronic users.
Blood Tests
If you are wondering how long Klonopin shows up on a blood test, you’ve come to the right place. Blood tests can find clonazepam in your system for six to nine days, depending on individual factors.
Saliva Tests
Saliva tests offer similar detection windows as blood tests. For example, they can find Klonopin in your system for six to nine days.
Hair Tests
How long does Klonopin show up on a hair test? Hair tests offer the longest window of detection. For example, these tests can find any substance, including clonazepam and other drugs, in your system for up to 3 months after you last abused it.
Get Connected to Klonopin Addiction Treatment
If you are struggling with Klonopin addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Klonopin (clonazepam) is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it has accepted medicinal uses and a potential for addiction. Frequent Klonopin use or abuse of other benzodiazepines can quickly lead to the development of a substance use disorder.
Some of the risk factors associated with Klonopin abuse include long-term health complications, strained relationships, and life-threatening overdoses. Thankfully, there are tons of treatment options out there to help you overcome addiction and physical dependence related to long-acting benzodiazepines.
Additionally, if you were taking Klonopin to treat panic attacks or seizure disorders, Palm City Wellness can help you overcome your addiction and find a non-habit-forming replacement medication.
Contact us today for more information on our Klonopin addiction treatment center.
References:
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Clonazepam pharmacokinetics, brain uptake, and receptor interactions
- Medline Plus: Clonazepam