xanax withdrawls

[1bigdrew1]

My mom has been taking xanax for approximatly 4 years. She was up to 15 .5 mgs a day and she tried to stop taking them cold turkey so she had a seizure. I had to call 911 and go to the hospital with her. The doctor gave her 2mg valium so she wouldnt have another siezure. My question is does anybody have any idea of the amount she should take to wean herself off of the medication and how long will it take also  should she be taking valium instead of xanax i know its a benzodiazapine but there is a chemical difference. thank you for any help.  

[RCA759I]

The best advice I could give is for you to persuade your mother into a detoxification unit to handle her addiction. Given the massive dosage involved (7.5 mgs), any attempt at discontinuing Xanax as an outpatient at this stage is very risky. A detox unit would be well equip to handle the severe manifestations of withdrawal (seizure), and given the very high probability of seizure when tapering from this dosage, and the fact that she's already had one, it would be best to do this as an inpatient until the potential risk(s) have dissipated.

However, in today's managed care system, inpatient detox may be difficult or impossible to secure. It would largely depend on her insurance benefits. If this is the case, the Xanax should be gradually reduced to 4 milligrams under medical supervision at a rate of not more than 25% per week, and the dose equivalent of Klonopin (4 milligrams) should be *gradually* substituted in place of the Xanax at a rate of not more than 25% per week. The Klonopin may then be tapered from very gradually, which, unlike Xanax, carries a prolonged elimination half-life.

The Valium equivalent for your mother is approximately 75 milligrams daily, but I would not advise using Valium. Klonopin and Xanax have nearly identical binding affinity, and are equipotent. While Valium would cover some of the physical withdrawal, it is rarely potent enough to address the psychological symptoms of withdrawal - namely, rebound panic. And at such a large dosage, tolerance would manifest rapidly to the clinical effect, making it very difficult to discontinue. Klonopin would be the replacement agent of choice.

Ryan