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How To Withdraw From Vicodin And Xanax?
My husband is 86 and has lost 30 lbs in the last 6 months. He has been taking 2 tablets of Vicodin and 2 tablets of Xanax daily, dividing them up. He gets withdrawals (shakes and anxiety) when the effects wear off. He wants to get off of these, because the withdrawals are severe and he feels lethargic and tired all the time.
Mon, 2 Jul 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Vicodine contains hydrocodone that is opiate or narciotic that causes addiction.
To help with opiate withdrawal you can use some prescription medications none of them is over-the-counter . These may include buprenorphine or clonidine that have milder withdrawal effects they may help decrease sweating, muscle aches and agitation. Your doctor may also recommend a fever reducer and medications to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Herbal remedies for narcotic withdrawal may include kava, valerian or passion flower, which may help ease insomnia and anxiety. Be sure to discuss the use of herbs ,acopunture, hypnose or homeopathic treatments with your physician as they may have adverse interactions with medications and in large doses may produce serious side effects such as liver toxicity.
Xanax is very addictive drug causing more dependance than other benzodiazepines.
Tapering off Xanax involves gradually cutting back on the dosage of the drug over a period of time and never cold turkey. Your doctor may recommend switching to a less potent benzodiazepine with a shorter half-life, like Klonopin, to taper off use. Detox from Xanax should always be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Vicodine contains hydrocodone that is opiate or narciotic that causes addiction.
To help with opiate withdrawal you can use some prescription medications none of them is over-the-counter . These may include buprenorphine or clonidine that have milder withdrawal effects they may help decrease sweating, muscle aches and agitation. Your doctor may also recommend a fever reducer and medications to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Herbal remedies for narcotic withdrawal may include kava, valerian or passion flower, which may help ease insomnia and anxiety. Be sure to discuss the use of herbs ,acopunture, hypnose or homeopathic treatments with your physician as they may have adverse interactions with medications and in large doses may produce serious side effects such as liver toxicity.
Xanax is very addictive drug causing more dependance than other benzodiazepines.
Tapering off Xanax involves gradually cutting back on the dosage of the drug over a period of time and never cold turkey. Your doctor may recommend switching to a less potent benzodiazepine with a shorter half-life, like Klonopin, to taper off use. Detox from Xanax should always be done under the supervision of a medical professional.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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