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Withdrawing or Going off Xanax(URGENT)
I am being tapered off 1 mg. of xnax i take it 3 times a day. MY dr. (pshy) is having me cut it back by 1 pill and adding 0.5 mg. klonopin 3 times a day.he said after a week we will see how i am and maybe can drop it by anothr pill.Today is my 3rd day of doing this.Im very anxious and wonder if i could be having withdrawal evven though im taking the klonopin.I have been trying to space the klonopin out every 8 hours but not sure i will make it today.I so far have had i mg of xanax and 1 o.5 mg of klonopin today.Some pharmisists say i shouldnt have withdrawal from xanax since im on the klonopin others say i might have some.Has any one out there had any experience with this? Im so scared............Thanks
I took was taking 1 mg alprazolam since 2000. Because of new laws in Florida Dr.s are not wanting to prescribed it. They finally prescribed 0.5 mg clonzepam. It is not helping with my panic attacks and I have been going through withdrawal. Sweating, rapid heartbeat, ringing ears, I'm a mess. Feel like I'm going to die.
I am 72 and have been taking .05 xanax 3 times a day for 2yrs. I can feel the breakthrough anxiety with the xanax. Doc wants to switch me to Klonopin .05 twice a day.
I can't sleep unless I take xanax. I have taken the Klonopin 8am and 8pm, 1 xanax at 2pm and 1 xanax at 10pm. eliminating the am xanax.
Plan to take 1/2 the xanax at 2pm for a week, then drop that. Do not know how to get off the xanax for sleep.
What can I do from here.
Thanks
I can't sleep unless I take xanax. I have taken the Klonopin 8am and 8pm, 1 xanax at 2pm and 1 xanax at 10pm. eliminating the am xanax.
Plan to take 1/2 the xanax at 2pm for a week, then drop that. Do not know how to get off the xanax for sleep.
What can I do from here.
Thanks
OK - I found something - it's not exactly your situation, but it's very close. I hope that it helps...but remember...you need to discuss any changes first with your Dr.
______________________________________________________________________MedHelp Member's Question
switching from xanax to klonopin
by jaburton1234
Member since Jan 2008
, Jan 25, 2008 12:07PM
I have been diagnosed with bipolar one with agrophobia, panic disorder and PTSD. I am currenty taking xanax 1mg 4 times a day. My doctor wants me to switch to Klonopin 1mg 4 times a day and I am scared. I tried to take 0.5mg of Klonipin once when prescribed by another doctor and had a terrible panic attack when it wore off (though I was on 1mg of Xanax then too, and from what I have read I should have been on 1mg on Klonipin. I am also worried about the level of sedation since I have a 5 month old and 3 year old to care for. Has anyone else ever had this fear? I am really scared of the panic attacks coming back, I also have read it is three days of hell switching. Do I taper the Xanax or jst go straight to the Klonopin? I am so scared, please help me.
Member Comments (1)
by RCA7591
Member since Feb 2007
Mood: RCA7591 is down at the tiki bar sippin' on a rum runner with surfgirl.
, Jan 26, 2008 01:41AM
"I also have read it is three days of hell switching."
^quote
Try 3-14 days of hell (average 10 days). 4 mg of Xanax is the absolute maximum limit, and such a hefty dosage concerns me. I would NOT transition directly from Xanax to Klonopin, but would use a stepped-schedule instead. I will write one for you. Before I do, let me explain how Klonopin works, and how it differs from Xanax:
Klonopin ( a long-acting Benzodiazepine) works on the principals of steady-state and accumulation. Through these two properties, Klonopin maintains its efficacy over the long-term, with no risk of tolerance at dosages of 4 mg or less daily. Xanax does not accumulate in the plasma. There is no accumulation, and the drug is not held at steady-state. Instead, the plasma levels of Xanax peak and trough, which gives rise to a "rollercoaster" effect. Most importantly, Xanax leads to rapid tolerance and complete loss of efficacy over a very short time span. Thus, Xanax is not indicated for the long-term (this is why the doctor has switched you to Klonopin).
What the doctor neglected to inform you of is the difference between Xanax and Klonopin. Xanax works immediately, and does not accumulate. To remain effective, it must be dosed frequently (every 4-6 hours). Klonopin does not work immediately, and to replace Xanax completely, it will require a period of up to two weeks in duration. During this two week phase, you would undergo complete Xanax withdrawal. At a daily dosage of 4 mg, seizure is probable. The withdrawal would be severe, and perhaps, life-threatening at your current dosage. Thus, one cannot safely transition from Xanax to Klonopin when the daily dosage exceeds 2 mg. The doctor should've known this.
Here's the soultion to the problem. The first 3 days may be slightly difficult, but after that, everything will procede smoothly. The following schedule is to be performed under the supervision of a medical doctor:
Weeks 1-2: Take 1 mg of Xanax, t.i.d. (morning, afternoon, evening). Take 1 mg of Klonopin at night. Keep the dosages spaced 8 hours apart if practical.
Weeks 2-4: Take 1 mg of Xanax, b.i.d. (morning, afternoon), and 1 mg of Klonopin, b.i.d. (evening, night).
Weeks 4-8: Take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 1 mg, t.i.d of Klonopin (afternoon, evening, night)
At the end of week eight, the Xanax is eliminated, and replaced fully with Klonopin, 1 mg, q.i.d. Keep the doses spaced 8 hours apart (or a close as possible).
The idea here is to allow for the Klonopin to accumulate before removing each Xanax dosage. The two are equal in potency, however Klonopin requires a two-week period to fully replace the Xanax, as Klonopin must accumulate. This is the safest way to discontinue Xanax, and any withdrawal phenomena will be eliminated after the first three days of making the transition.
If any of this isn't crystal-clear, let me know.
~Ryan
______________________________________________________________________MedHelp Member's Question
switching from xanax to klonopin
by jaburton1234
Member since Jan 2008
, Jan 25, 2008 12:07PM
I have been diagnosed with bipolar one with agrophobia, panic disorder and PTSD. I am currenty taking xanax 1mg 4 times a day. My doctor wants me to switch to Klonopin 1mg 4 times a day and I am scared. I tried to take 0.5mg of Klonipin once when prescribed by another doctor and had a terrible panic attack when it wore off (though I was on 1mg of Xanax then too, and from what I have read I should have been on 1mg on Klonipin. I am also worried about the level of sedation since I have a 5 month old and 3 year old to care for. Has anyone else ever had this fear? I am really scared of the panic attacks coming back, I also have read it is three days of hell switching. Do I taper the Xanax or jst go straight to the Klonopin? I am so scared, please help me.
Member Comments (1)
by RCA7591
Member since Feb 2007
Mood: RCA7591 is down at the tiki bar sippin' on a rum runner with surfgirl.
, Jan 26, 2008 01:41AM
"I also have read it is three days of hell switching."
^quote
Try 3-14 days of hell (average 10 days). 4 mg of Xanax is the absolute maximum limit, and such a hefty dosage concerns me. I would NOT transition directly from Xanax to Klonopin, but would use a stepped-schedule instead. I will write one for you. Before I do, let me explain how Klonopin works, and how it differs from Xanax:
Klonopin ( a long-acting Benzodiazepine) works on the principals of steady-state and accumulation. Through these two properties, Klonopin maintains its efficacy over the long-term, with no risk of tolerance at dosages of 4 mg or less daily. Xanax does not accumulate in the plasma. There is no accumulation, and the drug is not held at steady-state. Instead, the plasma levels of Xanax peak and trough, which gives rise to a "rollercoaster" effect. Most importantly, Xanax leads to rapid tolerance and complete loss of efficacy over a very short time span. Thus, Xanax is not indicated for the long-term (this is why the doctor has switched you to Klonopin).
What the doctor neglected to inform you of is the difference between Xanax and Klonopin. Xanax works immediately, and does not accumulate. To remain effective, it must be dosed frequently (every 4-6 hours). Klonopin does not work immediately, and to replace Xanax completely, it will require a period of up to two weeks in duration. During this two week phase, you would undergo complete Xanax withdrawal. At a daily dosage of 4 mg, seizure is probable. The withdrawal would be severe, and perhaps, life-threatening at your current dosage. Thus, one cannot safely transition from Xanax to Klonopin when the daily dosage exceeds 2 mg. The doctor should've known this.
Here's the soultion to the problem. The first 3 days may be slightly difficult, but after that, everything will procede smoothly. The following schedule is to be performed under the supervision of a medical doctor:
Weeks 1-2: Take 1 mg of Xanax, t.i.d. (morning, afternoon, evening). Take 1 mg of Klonopin at night. Keep the dosages spaced 8 hours apart if practical.
Weeks 2-4: Take 1 mg of Xanax, b.i.d. (morning, afternoon), and 1 mg of Klonopin, b.i.d. (evening, night).
Weeks 4-8: Take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 1 mg, t.i.d of Klonopin (afternoon, evening, night)
At the end of week eight, the Xanax is eliminated, and replaced fully with Klonopin, 1 mg, q.i.d. Keep the doses spaced 8 hours apart (or a close as possible).
The idea here is to allow for the Klonopin to accumulate before removing each Xanax dosage. The two are equal in potency, however Klonopin requires a two-week period to fully replace the Xanax, as Klonopin must accumulate. This is the safest way to discontinue Xanax, and any withdrawal phenomena will be eliminated after the first three days of making the transition.
If any of this isn't crystal-clear, let me know.
~Ryan
Were you taking a total of 3 mg. of xanax?
Have you been able to find Ryan's site so you can check his posts?
I keep seeing your cries for help...I had hoped that someone would have been able to provide you with specific info. by now...
I wish I could help you; I just don't have the experience using Klonopin as the replacement and doing the transition...if you need to, you can always call your Dr. to discuss over the phone....I do this quite a bit with my psychiatrist...
Try to be patient....this will definitely take some time, and know that the road will be a bit rocky right now....( I know that this is easier said than done...) I feel for you...
I hope you can get some direction here...
Have you been able to find Ryan's site so you can check his posts?
I keep seeing your cries for help...I had hoped that someone would have been able to provide you with specific info. by now...
I wish I could help you; I just don't have the experience using Klonopin as the replacement and doing the transition...if you need to, you can always call your Dr. to discuss over the phone....I do this quite a bit with my psychiatrist...
Try to be patient....this will definitely take some time, and know that the road will be a bit rocky right now....( I know that this is easier said than done...) I feel for you...
I hope you can get some direction here...
Yes, Baby123 is correct. Xanex is shorter acting than klonopin. It takes klonopin a while to build up into your blood stream. A lot of doctors think you can just go from one to another in an instant. My doctor thought I could just quit taking xanex and go to valium in 1 day. This is not to be as both valium and klonopin (longer acting benzos) take time to build up in your system. I do think you could go from klonopin and valium to xanex in 1 day, but not vice versas. I did have a problem going from xanex to valium mainly because xanex worked on panic attacks whereas the valium did not. Also, my doctor thought I could go from 4 mg of xanex to 40 mg of valium and I believe the equivalency factor is 20 mg of valium for each 1 mg of xanex. They say that Klonopin and Xanex are the same as far as mgs, but others I have talked to say that xanex is a lot stronger.I think the valium may have been O.K. for general anxiety, but it takes too long to work for panic attacks for me. Taking xanex for panic attacks if I put it under the tongue seems to work in 20 minutes or less. I know most doctors think klonopin is best for long term use and it probably is for a lot of people. My doctor said about half of his patients use klonopin and half xanex for long term use. The valium did nothing for me and I think klonopin is probably more similar to valium. I have reduced my xanex dosage to between 1 and 2 mg/day unless in very panic situations. Just be sure when you taper, you taper slow off any of the benzs. Also, as Baby123 said, Ryan has a lot of good advice on weaning from one benzo to another. Best of luck.
If you do a search on xanax and klonopin you will find a lot of posts where Ryan talks about how to wean from one benzo to start another. There are a lot of posts that talk about people going from xanax to klonopin. I do know that you will experience wds from the xanax even though you are taking klonopin to replace it. Also it will take several weeks for the klonopin to build up in your system. Maybe Ryan will see this post and give you some advice. If he doesn't you may want to repost with Ryan's name in the title to get his attention.
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