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Will There Be Cognitive Impairment Like Withdrawal Effects After Reducing Xanax Dosage?

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Posted on Sat, 26 Nov 2016
Question: I have been taking Xanax at about 3-4 mg a day for 5 years now. What are my chances of cognitive issue in my later 60s I am 61 now and I am tapering off now gong down 1/2 mg every 2weeks with the help of gabapentin. Ive been told that gabapentin helps with the withrdawals YYYY@YYYY I am extremely interested in the cognitive issues part as I am a fairly highly intelligent person with an IQ of around 135
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
There s nil possibility if you can stop it

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.

I read your query and understand your concerns.

With the current dosage it is possible that the cognitive deficits will be encountered with high degree of certainty. In my clinical practice almost 60 % of women with more than 2 mg dose report cognitive problems such as memory lapses.

In case you are able to withdraw it completely the risk becomes almost nil. I mean to say that cognitive deficit due to xanax is reversible following discontinuation of medication.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and 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. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3347 Questions

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Will There Be Cognitive Impairment Like Withdrawal Effects After Reducing Xanax Dosage?

Brief Answer: There s nil possibility if you can stop it Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for using Healthcaremagic. I read your query and understand your concerns. With the current dosage it is possible that the cognitive deficits will be encountered with high degree of certainty. In my clinical practice almost 60 % of women with more than 2 mg dose report cognitive problems such as memory lapses. In case you are able to withdraw it completely the risk becomes almost nil. I mean to say that cognitive deficit due to xanax is reversible following discontinuation of medication. I hope this helps you. If you have more questions feel free to write back to me. Thanks and regards.