question about xanax

[dmbfan07cb]

how long would i have to take it to where i was addicted.  i'm talking having seizures trying to come off addicted.  i've been taking one 0.5mg pill a day, sometimes half that a day for about 2 weeks.  it really helps and i am just wondering how long i could take it before it became dangerous to come off of it. I jut need it until my prozac kicks in, ive been taking prozac for about 15 days now.

thanks

[nursegirl6572]

I totally agree with lydia...that is such a low dose...and you have been on it such a brief time, but yes....double check with your doc.  He/she may recommend a turbo taper plan, so to speak, just in case.

Also, I just wanted to say something....there is a BIG difference betweeb being "addicted" to a med and being "dependant" on it.  "Dependant" in when a person has been on a med, usually long term, that the body has become accustomed to having the chemical on board...therefore when you cease taking it...hello w/d's.

"Addicted" is when a person takes a med inappropriately, "not" as prescibed...and becomes fully obsessed with NEEDING the pills...they count their pills....get them all sorts of ways(illegally at times)...whatever it takes.  Of course..in both scenarios there is w/d...but I just wanted to clear that up.  I see a lot of comments about Xanax, Ativan, etc being "addicting", and they are...but people taking them long term as prescribed are not "addicted", they are "dependant".

I hope you're starting to feel better....as the Prozac builds up you will feel better and better.....keep us posted!!!

[RubyWitch]

You would have to take it for substantially longer than the two weeks you've been on it and at a far greater dosage and then stop abruptly before there would be any danger of seizures. Prozac can take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to reach its therapeutic level, and even if you stay on the Xanax for that entire time, you will have no trouble coming off it. I will assume (Dave Matthews fan) that you are under the care of a doctor who has prescribed these meds for you. Since you have some concerns, I would suggest that you bring them to his/her attention and get the reassurance you need from the "horses mouth" so to speak. Ask specifically about the Xanax and if they feel a taper will be necessary when the time comes that you can stop. In my totally non-medical opinion, at the low dose you're on, even if you stay on it for a month, I doubt you will have to taper at all. But far better to ask the pro.
Keep us posted, OK?
Peace
Greenlydia