xanax withdrawl(withdrawal)

My doctor put me on all types of anexity meds that didn't help for long. now I am on xanax xr feom 3mg to 2 mg, I want to get off this stuff, told this to my doctor, he replyed cut the 2mg in half, which realy hurts my stomach when I cut the timed released in half. he doesn't seem to be to concerned, now I vomit it up everytime I cut one in half. now I feel like I am going through withdrawls sweating, cold & very ancious. Is there something else I can recommened I TRY TO MAKE THIS ALITTLE EASIER. I have lost 4 family members since December 2008. Please give me some advice I just don,t know what to do.                              GOD BLESS US ALL
                                                                                   sam216141

[abby10]

Another stupid doctor!

We must have the same dr. You can't cut xanax xr in half. Please don't do this. XR is time released, when cut in half you get unequal levels of the drug. See site benzo.uk.org there are excellent tapper methods. Substitute klonopin for xanax, the valium for klonopin. The tapper should be done gradually, introducing one and phasing out the other. People at benzubuddies.org can give you a tapper schedule. Some of the fellows here also are educated on how to properly do this.

I'm sorry you have to go through this.

[MrGreen]

Here's how to switch from Xanax to Klonopin :

Ideally, you shouldn't be on the full dose of Xanax while simultaneously implementing Klonopin as a substitute. Likewise, the Klonopin should NEVER be directly substituted for Xanax, as this induces a temporary withdrawal syndrome that may last for up to two weeks.

In order for Klonopin to replace Xanax, it must accumulate. Klonopin accumulates to steady-state within two weeks, at which point it will fully replace the Xanax from a potency standpoint. Xanax doesn't accumulate, therefore, simultaneously replacing it with Klonopin would lead to withdrawal phenomena. The Xanax plasma level would trough sharply, and there would be nothing to replace it.

Therefore, it would be advisable to "step" the Klonopin in, while simultaneously stepping out the Xanax. This is best done in 0.25 mg increments.

*Example* - You were formerly taking 0.5 mg of Xanax three times daily, and the goal is to transition to Klonopin, 0.5 mg, t.i.d....

Days 1-3: Take 0.5 mg of Xanax in the morning and afternoon. Take 0.25 mg of Xanax and 0.25 mg of Klonopin nightly.

Days 3-6: Take 0.5 mg of Xanax in the morning, and 0.25 mg of Xanax and 0.25 mg of Klonopin in the afternoon and nightly.

Days 6-9: Take 0.25 mg of Xanax and 0.25 mg of Klonopin in the morning, afternoon, and nightly.

Days 9-12: Take 0.25 mg of Xanax and 0.25 mg of Klonopin in the morning and afternoon. Take 0.5 mg of Klonopin nightly.

Days 12-15: Take 0.25 mg of Xanax and 0.25 mg of Klonopin in the morning. Take 0.5 mg of Klonopin in the afternoon and nightly.

Day 18: Take 0.5 mg of Klonopin, t.i.d. The Xanax is discontinued.

This is the accelerated method of transitioning from Xanax to Klonopin. The three day intervals may be extended to one or two weeks if necessary. This is rarely necessary.

You can discuss a similar schedule with your doctor. It is absolutely crucial that the Klonopin be taken at least twice daily. It depends on how many times/day you take Xanax. If you take it three or four times daily, the Klonopin should also be taken three or four times daily initially.