xanax

[punkin2246]

How long does it take to wean off of xanx  I have taken them for years.  Could it be fatal to just  quit cold turkey.  I tried once but I went into immediate withdrawal and became seriously ill.  I take .5 mg 3 times a day.  I really want to stop, but have full blown panic attacks or cannot sleep at all after I skip a dose.  Help!

[HHSLK72]

Ideally, you shouldn't attempt to taper directly off of the Xanax; particularly given the fact that you've been on it for "years". Given the short half-life of 6-11 hours, Xanax does not accumulate in the plasma. It does it's thing within four-to-six hours, and then the blood plasma level troughs to a sub-therapeutic level. This leaves you screaming for more Xanax. If there isn't anything to subtract from gradually, the withdrawal would be hell. Such is the case with Xanax, Ativan, Serax and other short-acting agents.

The easiest way to get off of Xanax is to substitute Klonopin, Tranxene or Valium in place of it. Klonopin is the most effective replacement for Xanax. The equivalent dosage in your case is the same (0.5 milligrams, t.i.d.). Klonopin carries a half-life of 36 hours, and it accumulates upon repeated dosing. After two weeks, it accumulates to steady-state, and after one month it accumulates to 1.5 times that of steady-state. Accumulation is the key to successfully discontinuing Benzodiazepines. As the Klonopin dosage is decreased, the blood plasma declines very gradually. This gradual decline minimizes or prevents withdrawal symptoms from occurring.

It would be in your best interest to inquire with the prescribing doctor about implementing Klonopin at a frequency of 0.5 mgs, three times daily as a replacement for Xanax. Repeated dosing of Xanax will lead to loss of efficacy and withdrawal symptoms - regardless of whether you take it or not. This is known as tolerance withdrawal.

[silverberg]

YOu can weam off xanax without any other drugs! BUT this is up to you and your DOCTOR! no person on this forum should be telling you what meds to try or not try! they do not know your HISTORY!

Xanax is a very very good drug for Panic Attacks, But like most drugs it has to be weamed off slowly! big FYI HERE:
You and only you must decide that your ready to come off xanax! Also TAKE YOUR TIME! THERE IS NO HURRY! when I say this I mean wean as long as you need! the key word is SLOWLY.

By the way, I have been lowering my dose and am now down to .125mg per day!!!! I actually have my chart I used in my open Journal entries, I only have 1-2 days left and off completely! wish you luck and remember you have allot of support here!