Xanax withdrawl(withdrawal)/tolorance

Posted by Travis on July 01, 1999 at 19:30:23
I am currently taking xanax for a disease called restless legs syndrome. I am taking three 0.5 mg tablets per night (only before bed). If I discontinue this medacation within 2 months from when I started, am I still likely to have any kind of withdrawl (withdrawal) at this dosage. Am I very likely to produce tolorance/addiction at this dose and time frame. I do have a very addictive personality and have had past addictions.

Posted by RS,EdD,HVMA on July 03, 1999 at 21:33:55
If you take xanax for two months, you should not discontinue it all at once because there is a chance of withdrawal symptoms.  Xanax is a medication with a relatively short half-life, meaning it leaves your body faster than other medications in a similar category.  The faster medication leaves your body, the more likely you are to have withdrawal symptoms.  Obviously, you're under the care of a doctor who has prescribed this medication.  So I would tell him or her your concerns and history of problems with addiction.  As a rule, though, the best route to avoiding withdrawal symptoms is to gradually wean yourself from a medication.  Some people recommend cutting back about 10% every two days to ensure minimal withdrawal symptoms.  Again though, talk with your doctor and be honest with your concerns.  Your doctor is in the best position to make sure you have a safe withdrawal.  Good luck!