Benzodiazepines

Hi.
I've been tapering my valium over the past few (8 or so) weeks and have reduced from 15-20mgs daily down to 2mgs daily. Before this I tried going "cold turkey" and had a very unpleasant few days (days 3-5 I thought I was going mad). I am however still taking temazepam 20mgs at night and am wondering whether I'm fooling myself by reducing diazepam without reducing temazepam. From what I've read the temazepam is the equivalent of 10mgs diazepam; should I switch that to valium and taper the whole lot or continue with current plan and worry about temazepam later. I've been on the temazepam for over a year. Currently taking 2mgs diazepam in the afternoon so I'm not too drowsy in the mornings from my antidepressants.  Thanks

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You should consult your doctor but in general you should get off one medication at  a time.  The schedule for the valium from this point forward is the 2 mg every other day for a week; then every third day for the next ten days...then stop...you should not have any rebound effect if you follow that schedule.