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Can Ativan Be Taken In Place Of Xanax Without Withdrawal Symptoms?
Question: Good morning, I am working with my psychiatrist and will be seeing her next week and i would like some info to provide her. I have a long term dependence on xanax .5 4 times a day. I got this prescription many years ago probably since 2004 from my previous psychiatrist. My new dr. is suggesting using Ativan not sure of the mg to help but i worry about physical withdrawal symptoms. Any suggestiohns?
Brief Answer:
It could be 2- 4 mg per day
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
The one mg of ativan is equivalent to 0.5 mg of xanax so the required dose for ativan will be upto four milligram per day to combat the withdrawal symptoms of xanax.
I think your psychiatrist is taking right approach as xanax have huge addiction potential and it is better to remove it as far as possible.
As I can see you are on the same dose of xanax over many years this indicates that you will be able to take this step without causing significant discomfort to yourself.
In case you take some extra dose beyond the prescription it could pose some problem leading to increase dose of Ativan. However occasional extra dose can be managed with proper motivation and confidence in your abilities.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
It could be 2- 4 mg per day
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
The one mg of ativan is equivalent to 0.5 mg of xanax so the required dose for ativan will be upto four milligram per day to combat the withdrawal symptoms of xanax.
I think your psychiatrist is taking right approach as xanax have huge addiction potential and it is better to remove it as far as possible.
As I can see you are on the same dose of xanax over many years this indicates that you will be able to take this step without causing significant discomfort to yourself.
In case you take some extra dose beyond the prescription it could pose some problem leading to increase dose of Ativan. However occasional extra dose can be managed with proper motivation and confidence in your abilities.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your prompt answer is it safe after all these years to just stop taking the xanax or do i need to wean down while on the ativan
Brief Answer:
You can stop immediately with ativan
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
With the help of ativan it can be stopped immediately by putting equivalent dose of ativan instead of xanax.
In my opinion it is safe and required step as over a long run xanax is likely to harm you more than the benefits offered by its use.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
You can stop immediately with ativan
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
With the help of ativan it can be stopped immediately by putting equivalent dose of ativan instead of xanax.
In my opinion it is safe and required step as over a long run xanax is likely to harm you more than the benefits offered by its use.
I hope this helps you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future, if you wish to ask any more questions, you can use the below-mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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