Generic Name: Clonazepam for Restless Legs Syndrome (clonazepam)
Clonazepam for Restless Legs Syndrome Reviews
"Clonazepam 0.5-1 mg has really helped my body to physically relax and calm down when I’m having an attack of restlessness. I no longer get involuntary, almost painful electric body jerks/spasms anymore, it has been a godsend. I suffered for years, no GP would take me seriously, saying things like “you’re too young” and “it can’t be that bad,” or they would just push off the work and tell me to see a neurologist (which I can’t afford or have the time). Finally found the help I needed, and it’s improved a lot, keep fighting, it’s worth it."
"Have had increasingly severe restless legs syndrome for 45 years. Finally started using Requip about 12 years ago, and got relief from RLS at night, but had to be doing something physical or at least on my feet all day to keep it under control. Got up to 3 mg at bedtime, but that was causing horrible nasal congestion every morning. My doc suggested clonazepam, and the effect was absolutely amazing! Wonderful, solid sleep every night. But, even better, the RLS disappeared during the day, as well. Daytime movies, meetings, and travel all now possible for the first time in decades! Need only 0.2 mg each evening, and no adverse side effects or tolerance increase after more than a year. This truly changed my life."
"I have both restless legs syndrome and insomnia. I have taken Clonazepam for 10 years. Started at 0.5mg, 1mg then 2mg. Decided to stop all medication a year ago and I have not slept worth a darn, as well as my restless legs syndrome has been horrible. Finally broke down last night and took a Clonazepam. Had no RLS and I did sleep, waking up only a few times. I was a little groggy this morning but certainly can deal with that. In past years I have tried many other medications with horrible results. Clonazepam has been a very positive experience for me."
"I have had restless legs syndrome for 10 years now, and it has got to the stage where I feel as if I am going insane. It has just been diagnosed as RLS after all these years. I am against taking medication unless absolutely necessary, but have gotten to the stage where I would try anything. I have been prescribed many different medications to no avail, and have only been prescribed clonazepam this week. For the last 3 nights, I have had the best sleep I've had in years, and I hope it continues to work so that I can get back to some semblance of a life. I'll keep you informed. Fingers crossed."
Klonopin (clonazepam) "I have been taking this drug for years for restless leg syndrome and it is fabulous. I could not sit through a movie at a theatre without having to get up and stand at the door or against a wall within the first quarter of the show. My legs also kept me up at night. I was taking a full mg at night and another in the day but the doctor cut me down to 1/2 in the day and 1/2 in the evening. Not as effective but apparently this can be very addictive."
"Hello. I've had RLS since I was about 25, when no one knew what it was. I'd explain symptoms, having to go sleep on the carpet so I could rub my legs on it. I'm 69 now, have been on clonazepam for 24 years, a miracle, even with an increasing dose. Started at 0.5 mg, then up over the years to 3 mg before bed. It's getting so difficult to find anyone who is willing to prescribe it. Luckily my doc is, but I suspect they are going to try and get me off it. The main reason is memory loss. Am now additionally trying gabapentin and have tried a couple of others. Nothing as good as the clonazepam for relief. I've read other reviews where people would rather deal with the side effects than the RLS, and I could not agree more!! (I'm scared about memory though) I sleep with rough towels or folded blankets between the sheets to rub my legs on. If you talk with someone who doesn't have this, they have no clue the misery it causes."
"I have taken 1 mg oral tablets of clonazepam for several years. There are days I do not take it because it can create drowsiness. My wife was going to have to move to another room due to my every few seconds of leg movement while sleeping. This medication has completely eliminated the restless leg kicking. The side effects are the feeling of drowsiness with difficulty getting up in the morning."
"I have had restless legs syndrome for years. In the beginning, it was a problem at bedtime. Over time, it started every time I was sitting for more than a few minutes. I couldn't do anything comfortably: driving, reading the paper, going to a movie, flying, church, watching TV. Clonazepam has worked well! At first, it was perfect and then I started experiencing restless legs right after I took it at night. I still do usually, but it is not very intense and doesn't last long. The medication holds it off the rest of the time. Occasionally, I'll have a mild attack while driving or something. It's not very often and not nearly the intensity it was before clonazepam."
"I have had RLS since I was a little kid. It runs in my family. As I got older, it got worse, I went years without sleeping. I even chose a career where I was on my feet and not sitting, and night shift. In my 40s, they came out with RLS meds, I tried them all. Not one worked, and the side effects were horrible. I finally tried clonazepam 1 mg once a day at night. I slept through the night for the first time. I have been on it for 10 years, have not increased the dosage, and it still works. But the issue is the generic. Depends on what company and color of the pill. Yellow always worked, green sometimes, but the multiple blues were a hit and miss. RLS is horrible and life-altering. I’m thankful I have an understanding Dr. willing to prescribe it for me."
"After taking Requip for my restless legs syndrome for several years, my doctor put me on 0.5 mg of clonazepam at bedtime, and it has pretty much eliminated the RLS symptoms, and I sleep much better. I have been taking it for 11 months now and haven't noticed any side effects. After reading more about this medicine, I am concerned about taking it for a long period of time. For now though, it's working well."
"I am 76 yrs old. Had severe leg cramps at night for more than 20 years. Been on clonazepam for all that time. Started with 0.5 mg, increased to 1 mg at night. Worked miracles. I was since prescribed Indapamide 2.5 mg in the morning. Severe leg cramps returned. Ridaq 12 mg, then prescribed instead of Indapamide. Leg cramps then less severe. Tried clonazepam 0.5 mg, and leg cramp severity decreased. Dropped clonazepam entirely, and leg cramps became unbearable. Went back to clonazepam 1 mg, and leg cramps were less severe (not mild). Am about to try clonazepam 1.5 mg. I still function normally, as can be expected for a person my age. Memory is commensurate with my age. A bit forgetful, but not nearly Alzheimer’s or dementia (note that I'm typing this on a tablet with nobody assisting me. I, in fact, assist many in the coastal town that I live in to set up their computers & phones, etc.). I never had any side effects or withdrawal symptoms. I think clonazepam is a great drug and very effective."
"Have had fibromyalgia and restless legs for many years. My legs constantly ached, and at one time it was so bad I experienced restless arms. I was unable to function properly. My doctor prescribed Paxam (clonazepam) 0.5 nightly when required. I got instant relief and slept all night for the first time in years. I have been taking this clonazepam dose for about 6 years and have not had to increase the dose but feel the need to take it most nights. I have not experienced any side effects except tiredness, so I only take it at night, which is okay as that’s when I need it. I have worried about hearing that it could cause early dementia, but the results of being able to live a life outweigh these concerns, and I am on a low dose and there are risks with any medication. Paxam (clonazepam) works for me 100%."
"Clonazepam is a miracle drug for me. It has solved my restless leg syndrome and my anxiety. I am annoyed by doctors who do not suffer these problems, but they want to tell me how awful it is to take this for 20 years, which I have at 1 mg at bedtime. I would never stop taking this medication, and fortunately, I have a doctor who will prescribe while complaining about it every time. I have researched the side effects of this drug, and I have not found anything that deters me. Keep in mind that suffering comes in many ways and forms."
Klonopin (clonazepam) "I have suffered with restless legs for years, and after trying many different drugs, my doctor came across this one. I was reluctant, as nothing else had worked. It was a miracle how well it worked. Finally, I was able to sleep at night without the aching, which I referred to as Chinese torture. Then my doctor of 39 years decided to retire, and the new doctor refuses to give it to me. There should be a law against a doctor retiring without a replacement and leaving you to just hope that the next doctor you get will give you refills on your medicines that you need."
Klonopin (clonazepam) "I have been using this medication for the past seven years. It saved my life. I have been diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome due to a spinal injury and with sleep apnea. My legs no longer run at 100 mph while trying to sleep, no leg cramps, and I finally reach REM. I have been sleeping like a baby."
Klonopin (clonazepam) "Complete elimination of symptoms which were severe. I preferred not taking benzodiazepines and tried numerous other medications that were either ineffective or effective for a brief period of time. I am back on Klonopin (1 mg at supper time) and am symptom-free."
"Restless legs, sleep dramatically improved. Used for years until I moved to a new town and saw a new doctor who discontinued therapy. Best relief ever obtained from any meds tried. I also have myofascial pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, bruxism (broke off a large filling due to nightly grinding), anxiety, occasional panic attacks, and a stressful home environment."
"I've been on clonazepam for 23 years for restless leg syndrome, 1 mg at bedtime. I weaned off clonazepam all on my own and was off it quickly with no withdrawal side effects. Problem is my 3-year-old twin boys are just over three years old, and I’ve never gotten any sleep during this whole time. My wife notices bed sheets and blankets in disarray every morning from tossing and turning. After being off clonazepam and experimenting with Benadryl, Gravol, and melatonin, and all kinds of low-dose antidepressants to get the “groggy” effect, but all had insane side effects: photosensitivity, constipation, etc., and more. I was developing migraines and stressed out and grouchy all day long. Guess what? I demanded to be put back on clonazepam, 1 mg at bedtime, approximately 2 weeks ago, and I’m sleeping like a rock and have big time energy, and headaches are gone."
"Went through a lot for restless leg syndrome medications. Some partially worked, most didn't. Finally found a doctor who read about Clonazepam being off-label used for restless leg. We tried it and I was able to sleep the whole night. We started off with 1mg but trial and error suggested 2mg was the dose that worked best. Only downside, slightly groggy after waking up but that vanished within an hour or so. Been prescribed it for going on 4 years. To me, the best thing since sliced bread!"
"I had Restless leg syndrome (RLS) for years and tried everything for it, but nothing worked. Then out of the blue the doctor I was seeing for something else recommended clonazepam .5 dosage. The RLS stopped immediately, no more getting up to walk it off, punching my legs, stretching. I've been taking it for about 25 years and only increased the dosage to 1.0 about 5 years ago. I have never had any side effects from it and I'm very sensitive to new drugs. If you're not aware of this doctors are required to report the use of this and other drugs in this category to the DOJ."
"I have been taking this medication clonazepam for RLS for longer than I can remember! I was prescribed a dosage of 3 a day and that served me well UNTIL I moved out of state and my new Dr cut my dosage to the smallest dosage she could find! and wanted to see how that was “and come back in a month and we’ll discuss it!” Naturally she is no longer my Doctor and I am taking exactly what I was before! If it ain’t broke why try to fix it? I was getting 3 hours of sleep on her regime!"
"Anyone taking clonazepam, PLEASE take note. Took it for RLS, and I loved it, got great sleep with no apparent side effects. Thought this was the answer until the dosage had to be increased to be effective. Been on 1.5 mg for seven years, and when it stopped working, I then learned the hard way you must wean off very slowly, and the detoxing is horrible! This is what no one tells you! Had I known it would be like this, I'd NEVER have gone on it... and I do understand the trials of RLS! Nothing is worth this! Look up side effects of stopping clonazepam and how long it takes to detox, you'll be shocked... I was. Felt like I was going to die (and the really bad stuff doesn't start until the 3rd or 4th day being off..., look out)! Please be informed!"
Klonopin (clonazepam) "I started out taking 0.5 mg of Klonopin at bedtime. Within 30 minutes or so, my restless leg syndrome symptoms would worsen immensely, and my legs would keep me up all night (until 8 a.m. on several occasions). We tried increasing the dose to 1 mg, then 1.5 mg, and this lessened the RLS symptoms but came with some pretty heavy side effects. I lost much of my balance and became clumsy and slightly confused."
"Had RLS all my life, could not explain the symptoms to my doctor for years, but finally, when talking to my mother, she explained she had it and told me what it was, and my doctor, who is also a pharmacist, prescribed clonazepam, and it has worked fine for the past 15 years. Although I have noticed lately that I am having to take more than the stated 1-2 pills and take 2-3 before bed. I am only affected at night."
"I’ve tried everything, use Requip and gabapentin. But Clonazepam is the only thing that has given me relief. My regular doctor is concerned that it might need more and more, but I’ve been taking 1 mg for over six months and don’t need more. It is heaven not to have RLS, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy."
More about clonazepam
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (2,121)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (2)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- Drug class: benzodiazepine anticonvulsants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
- Clonazepam drug information
- Clonazepam Orally Disintegrating Tablets
- Clonazepam Tablets
Other brands
Klonopin, Klonopin Wafer
Professional resources
- Clonazepam monograph
- Clonazepam (FDA)
- Clonazepam Tablet Orally Disintegrating (FDA)
Other brands
Klonopin
Related treatment guides
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
