Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 2/10/2007

Question
I just went off of Klonapin & Xanax yesterday 2/9/07 & I have a DOT Physical & Pre-Employment Drug Screen set in 6 days from now.  I was tapered down to 2mg of Klonapin & 1mg of Xanax & now I'm off. How long does it take for them to show negitive on a Drug Urine Screen test?  I have been on disability for 5 years now, taking both meds and now, I'm getting off disability and getting an awesome job. I have already been offered the position & I don't want to fail my drug screen test. Can you offer me some advice as to how long it takes to clear out of my urine & what I can do to flush it out of my system? Thanks

Answer
Dear Bert

The Xanax will probably not show-up after 6-7 days in a urine test but Klonopin can hang about in the body for quite a long time and no one can guarantee that it will not be detected in a urine test even after a week. It all depends on how sensitive the analytical technique used is. If you have been prescribed these drugs surely it is not a problem anyway, but I reckon this is not the case as to give two drugs of the same group (benzodiazepines) is not normal. Unfortunately there is no way to flush them out of the system any quicker, especially the Klonopin. It, in some people can hang about in various body compartments for 2-3 weeks but this is very variable and you may be lucky.