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Suggest Alternate Over The Counter Medication For Xanax

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Posted on Tue, 25 Apr 2017
Question: Hello, My name is XXXXXXX I have been taking about 4mg of xanax per day for about three months. I would like to set up a detailed schedule to wean off the Xanax.
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Weaning regimen mentioned

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Xanax (alprazolam) is a commonly used prescription medicine. Usually it is given in doses like 0.25mg or 0.5mg each day before going to bed. A 4mg dose is therefore quite high and needs to be scaled down or tapered off. The rule of thumb here is around 10% every 7-10 days. I would insist you to try reducing the present dose by 1 mg in the next 7-10 days. Alternatively, you can also try reducing 0.5mg each 4-5 days till you reach a dose of 2mg and thereafter you can try reducing in smaller doses. You can take 0.5 mg tablets and break them into four segments of 0.125mg each. You can reduce one portion of it every 7 days and hopefully it would be tolerated well. This will give your body time to get back into balance. After you reach a net dose of 0.125 mg each day, you can try taking it every alternate day before skipping it completely.

Hopefully that should help. Feel free to write back.

Regards
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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Suggest Alternate Over The Counter Medication For Xanax

Brief Answer: Weaning regimen mentioned Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Xanax (alprazolam) is a commonly used prescription medicine. Usually it is given in doses like 0.25mg or 0.5mg each day before going to bed. A 4mg dose is therefore quite high and needs to be scaled down or tapered off. The rule of thumb here is around 10% every 7-10 days. I would insist you to try reducing the present dose by 1 mg in the next 7-10 days. Alternatively, you can also try reducing 0.5mg each 4-5 days till you reach a dose of 2mg and thereafter you can try reducing in smaller doses. You can take 0.5 mg tablets and break them into four segments of 0.125mg each. You can reduce one portion of it every 7 days and hopefully it would be tolerated well. This will give your body time to get back into balance. After you reach a net dose of 0.125 mg each day, you can try taking it every alternate day before skipping it completely. Hopefully that should help. Feel free to write back. Regards