Xanax

[tom219]

I have been on xanax .5mg once a day for God knows how long now. I mean My only question is, I am allowed to take up to three pills a day but i only take one because i really do not want to become relaiant on it. I know that this is a fast acting pill that enters your system quick and leaves quick, i am just wondering because i only take one a day in the morning when i wake up, that is why i have bad anxiety in the afternoon like after 4 or so? Like in other words i will take the pill around 7 and then sround 4 i will feel my anxiety symptoms come back. could this just be caused by a withdrawel of the pill or is it caused by anxiety? This is what no one can really answer so hopefully someone could give me some advice. Thanks Thomas

[Missmomma]

Hey there, Sounds like me and you are in the similar boat, I am prescibed 0.5 4xs a day and i only take 3 because I to, am afraid of addiction, i asked a simliar question not to long ago, I have been on this dose for 2 years and I felt myself start to go in a downword sprial. I was wondering if everyone thought it would be ok to start taking 4 aday (my prescribed dose) but im scared of addiction, Even more then what im addicted to now, heres the thing, even at 0.5 4xs a day its not a big dose and it will not kill you if u ever want to come off of it, I take mine at 8, 2 ,and 7 and it seems to work pretty well, around 12 i feel my anxiety start to flare..The pill doesnt stay in ur system that long, so normally u use it as a mulitply  times a day pill or a just in case pill. and obviously ur doc wwants you to use it as a controler. It helps, and I dont think u will be any more reliant on it then u already are.. I hope this helps, I hope u feel better!

[RCA759I]

"but i only take one because i really do not want to become relaiant on it."

^quote

Too late, Tom. You are physically dependent on Xanax, and it must be discontinued very gradually under medical supervision to minimize withdrawal phenomena, in addition to rebound anxiety (anxiety that is worse than before you began taking Xanax).

Fortunately, you only dosed the Xanax once daily, which reduced the risk of severe tolerance, and hence, will lessen the symptoms that you may potentially experience during the discontinuation phase.

Xanax carries a half-life of 11 hours on average, and an average duration of action ranging from 4-6 hours. Given the short elimination half-life and minimal duration of action, Xanax must be dosed four times daily to prevent interdose symptoms when the plasma level of the drug begins to trough. Xanax is not indicated for long-term use, as tolerance will develop rapidly to the clinical benefit. This is not a situation that you want to be in.

Should you wish to discontinue the Xanax, a taper schedule is provided below. Customize it as you see fit. Should your anxiety recur, inquire about Klonopin, at a dosage of 0.5 milligrams, twice daily. Klonopin is a long-acting Benzodiazepine, will replace the Xanax in full, and will prevent the "rollercoaster" effect that you are noticing with Xanax. Klonopin carries a 36 hour half-life, and a duration of action ranging up to 12 hours per dose. Maximal efficacy is appreciated following two weeks of twice daily dosing.

Discontinuation of Xanax, 0.5 mg, qd:

Required: 0.25 mg tablets. These may be divided into quarters, with each quarter representing 0.0625 mg.

Week 1: Take 0.25 mg of Xanax twice daily.

Week 2: Take 0.25 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 0.1875 mg of Xanax nightly (3/4 of a 0.25 mg tablet)

Week 3: Take 0.1875 mg of Xanax morning and nightly.

Week 4: Take 0.1875 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 0.125 mg of Xanax nightly (1/2 of an 0.25 mg tablet).

Week 5: Take 0.125 mg of Xanax morning and nightly.

Week 6: Take 0.125 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 0.0625 mg of Xanax nightly (1/4 of an 0.25 mg tablet)

Week 7: Take 0.0625 mg of Xanax morning and nightly.

Week 8: Take 0.125 mg of Xanax every other morning.

Week 9: Take 0.125 mg of Xanax every third morning, then stop.

Week 10: Discontinued.

There should be little in the way of withdrawal, given the way you had dosed it.

Good luck,

Ryan

[RCA759I]

"heres the thing, even at 0.5 4xs a day its not a big dose and it will not kill you if u ever want to come off of it"

^quote

The abrupt cessation of 2 milligrams of Xanax, if taken in excess of four months, WILL induce a severe withdrawal complex, and does indeed pose a threat to life. The risk is seizure, and is very much a possibility. 2 milligrams is a moderate dosage. Should you wish to discontinue it at some point in the future, it must be withdrawn very gradually for your safety, and under medical supervision following a discontinuation schedule. Should you elect to disregard this warning, you are playing Russian Roulette with your life, as well as your sanity.

Ryan