Switch from Xanax to Klonopin

Hello. I've been taking .5mg of xanax 3 times a day for the last 4 years. I was just switched to klonopin .5mg 3 times a day by my psychiatrist after a recent mental breakdown (I'm back on Lexapro 15mg a day now as well). My question is, do I have to wean off the xanax to avoid withdrawal symptoms? I asked my psychiatrist about this, and she said that I did not have to have a weaning period because of my relatively small dose of xanax, and because the klonopin would "take it's place." I've read on many websites that you should do a slow transition from xanax to klonopin, so I was hoping you could offer your opinion on this. I have some xanax left over from my last refill, so should I maybe do .25mg xanax + .25mg klonopin 3 times a day for a few days to avoid xanax withdrawals. Thanks a lot for your help.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I agree with your psychiatrist.  The two medications are almost identical so there should be no problem substituting one for the other.  You are quite correct though about weaning from Xanax if there was not going to be a substitution.

[mjbrown]

Thank you very much for your quick and helpful response!