Klonopin (Clonazepam) Detection Time – How Long Does Klonopin Stay In Your System?

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Ted Bender, Ph.D., LCDC

January 23, 2019

Klonopin (clonazepam) has a long elimination half-life, meaning that the amount of time it stays in the body is longer than most other drugs in the same class. The exact time frame of Klonopin detection depends on the type of testing, and how long Klonopin stays in someone’s system can be altered by many personal factors.

How Long Does Klonopin Stay In Your System?

Research has shown that the elimination half-life of Klonopin is widely varied. It may take 19 to 60 hours for half of the drug to leave the body. After five to seven half-lives, Klonopin should be completely out of someone’s system. This can take anywhere from five to 14 days.

Klonopin (clonazepam) is a long-acting benzodiazepine with an intermediate onset of action. This means that it stays in the body longer than short-acting benzodiazepines like Xanax (alprazolam) and does not take effect as quickly as those with a short onset of action. The longer a drug stays in someone’s system, the wider the range of time it may take to be processed.

The amount of time that Klonopin and its metabolites are present and detectable depend on several things. Several personal factors can influence the speed of drug metabolism. The type of drug testing may also affect whether or not the amount of Klonopin in the body is significant enough to be detected.

How Is Klonopin (Clonazepam) Metabolized?

Klonopin (clonazepam) is processed by the liver. Only two percent of clonazepam is excreted in urine, while the rest is broken down into metabolites.

The primary active metabolite of Klonopin is called 7-aminoclonazepam, a substance which can also be detected during drug testing to determine Klonopin use. 7-aminoclonazepam may be found in someone’s system even if Klonopin is no longer detectable.

Klonopin (Clonazepam) Detection Time

The level of Klonopin (clonazepam) in the bloodstream usually peaks in one to two hours, though some research shows peak levels as long as four to eight hours after administration. As peak levels drop and Klonopin is metabolized, it becomes more difficult to detect in the blood. However, the drug and its metabolites should still appear in urine, saliva, and hair.

• Blood: Klonopin shows up in blood after one to two hours, and may be detectable for several days.
• Urine: Klonopin may be detected in urine for five days after one dose, while 7-aminoclonazepam may be detected for up to nine days. With multiple doses, this timeline may extend to two weeks.
• Saliva: Klonopin can be found in saliva for five days, and 7-aminoclonazepam can be found for six days.
• Hair: As is the case with many drugs, Klonopin does not appear in hair for a few days or weeks, but once it does, 7-aminoclonazepam is detectable for up to four months.

Whether or not Klonopin is detected via these methods and within these time frames may depend on the sensitivity of the test. For example, urine tests have a cutoff level. This means that if the concentration of Klonopin or 7-aminoclonazepam in the urine is below a certain amount, the test will be negative. If it is above that number, it will be positive, and further testing may be done.

Factors That Influence How Long Klonopin Stays In Your Body/Urine

The amount of time it takes for Klonopin (clonazepam) to leave the body is not the same for everyone. Personal factors and severity of drug abusexf play a significant role in determining metabolism rates.

Factors that influence how long Klonopin stays in your system include:

Age: Younger people may process Klonopin more quickly. They generally have faster metabolisms and are healthier than older people. That said, some older people are healthier than some younger people, which makes this factor less significant.

Health: When someone is healthy, their body functions properly and is able to rid itself of Klonopin at a normal rate. If someone is unhealthy, they will likely have a slower metabolism and less efficient bodily processes.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Individuals with a high BMI may experience slower metabolic function (their body may process things slower), while those with a low BMI have a quicker metabolic function. The amount of the drug in ratio to body mass may also influence metabolism, as a large person who takes a small dose will process the drug quicker than a small person who takes a large dose.

Dosage: A high dose of Klonopin will take longer for the body to break down than a low dose. The more Klonopin is present in the body, the longer the drug will be detectable.

Frequency of Use: Klonopin can build up in someone’s system with frequent use, which is especially likely when someone abuses it. The length of time that Klonopin stays in someone’s system after one dose is shorter than the time it takes for the body to process multiple doses.

Duration of Use: If someone has been using Klonopin for a long time, this can also cause it to build up in someone’s system, extending the time it takes to be metabolized.

Mode of Intake: When Klonopin is snorted or injected, it gets into the bloodstream faster than when it is taken orally. This may cause the body to begin processing it sooner after the last dose. However, it is likely that individuals who snort or inject Klonopin take it in higher or more frequent doses, counteracting this effect.

Liver Function: Since Klonopin is broken down into metabolites in the liver, the functionality and health of this organ affect this process. An unhealthy liver will have trouble metabolizing Klonopin as efficiently as a healthy one. Mixing Klonopin and alcohol can further damage the liver and make metabolism more difficult.

Polysubstance Use: Combining Klonopin with other drugs not only increases the risk of overdose on Klonopin, but also slows down metabolism. When the body is working to process more than one substance at a time, it will take longer to completely excrete the Klonopin.

Genetics: Some people are simply born with a fast or slow metabolism that affects how long Klonopin stays in their system.

Klonopin Abuse And Addiction

If a person is concerned about the detection time of Klonopin, they may be abusing the drug. Klonopin (clonazepam) is legally prescribed to treat seizures and panic disorders, but using it outside of prescription guidelines can be dangerous.

The body quickly develops a tolerance to benzodiazepines like Klonopin, which decreases the drug’s effect. This often leads to increased dosage which can cause physical dependence. Using Klonopin in excess can also change brain structure and develop into addiction, a mental disease that is difficult to overcome alone.

Treatment For Klonopin Drug Addiction

Abusing Klonopin can cause it to remain in the system for longer, leading to health issues and raising the risk of overdose, dependence, and addiction. Treatment for Klonopin addiction deals with the causes and consequences of substance abuse.

The best treatment programs combine research-based therapies into a personalized treatment plan to improve a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. To learn more about Klonopin detection and addiction treatment, contact one of our specialists today.