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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Xanax?

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Posted on Tue, 21 Apr 2015
Question: How can I successfully wean myself off Xanax and avoid withdrawal? My doctor dropped me as a patient and I have been on Xanax 20 years. So now I would like to know how to get thru the withdrawal in a good way. I hear it can be awful but since my doctor dropped me, I have no choice. I feel he did the wrong thing but cutting me off cold turkey.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
in what dose are you taking xanax?

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug.After chronic use it causes physical dependence. Stopping it cold turkey will cause withdrawal symptoms. Severity of the withdrawal depends on duration, dose and frequency of xanx use.

You are taking since 20 years. You need to wean off it really in very slow manner to reduce or no withdrawal symptoms.

It is painful that your doctor has dropped you as a patient.

To guide you in right direction I need to know dose, duration and frequency of xanax in your case.As well as I also need to know how much pills do you have and of which dose remaining?

Waiting for your reply to help you further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (13 hours later)
I take .25 milligrams two to three times a day. I have 22 pills left.
I take .25 milligrams three times a day. I have 22 pills left. If I do go into withdrawal, is there something I can take for that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You need more xanax tablets and clonazpeam is the alternative

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for information.

If I were your treating doctor I would advice following approach to wean off the xanax.

- 0.25 mg two times for 15 days (it will require 30 tablets)

- Then 0.25 mg half tablet two times for 15 days (it will require 15 tablets)

- Then 0.25 mg half tablet one time for 15 days (it will require 7 tablets)

And you can stop completely then.

By this gradual tapering approach you will have the least/no withdrawal.I have suggested this much slow approach considering 20 years of use.

Other option is to stop xanax completely cold turkey and start klonopin to control/avoid withdrawal features.You need to start 0.5 mg two times a day and according to response of the drug it can be gradually decreased and stop completely. It is easier to stop klonopin than xanax.

In both approaches you need to consult some doctor for getting more medicines(30 xanax tablets or klonopin) through valid prescription.And you can get immediate help from local doctor if you have any problem during tapering off.

Hope this answers your concern. Feel free to ask if you have any other query.

Take care.


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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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What Are The Withdrawal Symptoms Of Xanax?

Brief Answer: in what dose are you taking xanax? Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug.After chronic use it causes physical dependence. Stopping it cold turkey will cause withdrawal symptoms. Severity of the withdrawal depends on duration, dose and frequency of xanx use. You are taking since 20 years. You need to wean off it really in very slow manner to reduce or no withdrawal symptoms. It is painful that your doctor has dropped you as a patient. To guide you in right direction I need to know dose, duration and frequency of xanax in your case.As well as I also need to know how much pills do you have and of which dose remaining? Waiting for your reply to help you further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.