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Suggest Ways To Reduce Xanax Intake

Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014

Question: I am trying to reduce xanax. Can I take 1 mg. xanax 2 Benadryl and 2 Tylenol Pm at night to sleep

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please clear your query

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using health care magic.

I read your query with diligence but somethings are not clear in your query.

I request you to provide following details
1. How long you are taking xanax and what is the current dose?
2. Are you taking vallium ? if yes please describe the dose and duration.
3 What is the dose and duration of melatonin?
4. How long you had insomnia and response with current medication?
5. Your expectation with benadryl?
6. Why you want to take tylenol-PM? Do you have pain? if yes please describe
7. What other medications you are receiving including OTC medications?
8. Do you have sound general health?

Please revert with these details. I will try to answer your question in detail
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (48 minutes later)

I have been takn xanax for about 3 years, starting with .5 mg. and going as high as 2 mg. i am trying to come off it. My doctor prescribed .5 mg. xanax, 10 mg. vallium and 20 mg. melatonin. But it did not work. Last night I added 2 benadryl and it worked. That is why I want to cut down on the xanax and add Benadry (2 tabs) and Tylenol PM (2 tabs)
Dr, did you get my response?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are on the right path

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.

I think you are taking right decision of using benadryl instead of xanax or vallium. Both xanax and vallium are benzodiazepines and are associated with lots of side effects in seniors including falls and fractures.
If the benadryl is working for you than there is no harm of reducing the dose of xanax and using benadryl for sleep problem. Benadryl is more safer than xanax at your age.

You are advised to stop the tylenol too as you did not mention any indication for its use. The increase number of medications generally gives more harm than benefits if used indiscriminately.

"If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer.
Wish you good health".

Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (12 minutes later)

Doc, I want to know if I can take both the Benadryl and Tylenol with 1 mg. of Xanax. Or can I increase the Benadryl to 3. I really need to sleep.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Use minimum effective dose

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back to Healthcaremagic.

You can take it but my advise is to use the minimum effective dose of medication. I failed to understand why you want to use three when two tablets worked for you.
Once you have adequate response with benadryl there is need to stop xanax completely.
Medication without supervision and without proper indication can do more harm than benefit as stated earlier. The principle of medication is to use minimum number of drugs with minimum possible dose.

I do not recommend using cocktail of benadryl, xanax and tylenol.

Take tablet of benadryl and use another tablet if you are not able to sleep in next half an hour.
Thanks and regards
Dr Ashok Kumar

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad