Getting off Xanax (Alprazolam)

[lindyannho]

I started taking Xanax recreationally  about a year ago. 6 weeks ago I almost Od'ed, I was sober until a few days ago when I took took 4 bars each night for 2 nights. What are the chances that I could have seizures if I go off the drug immediately? I have a psychiatrist that knows I have a problem with this drug. Why hasn't he suggested a "tapering" off slowly? I know that I am in big trouble, but I don't know what to do.

[Sandra Y, RPh]

You should not stop the drug immediately. If you have been taking Xanax for a long time, the withdrawal symptoms could be severe. Withdrawal symptoms such as increased heart rate, sleeplessness, and seizures could occur. Therefore I would recommend going back to your doctor and ask to be tapered off. If your doctor is not willing, you can go to a hospital or a center that specializes in helping people stop taking drugs such as Xanax. They have programs and plans set up where they can help you wean off the medication and reduce the withdrawal symptoms as much as possible.

[cornyguy]

I have been advised by my psychiatrist to taper Xanax from 1 mg to zero in 8 weeks by reducing dose by  0.125 mg(1/2 tab of 0.25 mg) every week.Is it too fast a taper or does it seem OK.Please advise doc.Thanks.

[tjroden05]

I am a physician, not a pharmacist.  I treat patients in the ICU as well as those with chronic pain.  If you were off Xanax for two months but then had a brief relapse that lasted two days, there is essentially zero chance that you would have a seizure by stopping it.  Rather than worry about a seizure, you ought to be far more worried about the state of your recovery and sobriety.

Anything can happen in one patient but I can simply say that if you had a seizure after using xanax for two days, your case will be in the New England Journal of Medicine.  The suggestion of tapering is "defensive medicine" that we are all hearing about lately.  It is the absolute safest thing to do, but probably not necessary.

[cornyguy]

Hi I am not the expert opinion you asked for but I am also getting off Xanax.I was taking 1 mg of Xanax since 2 months.My Pdoc suggested me to reduce the Xanax dose by 0.125 mg (1/2 tab of 0.25 mg) every week for 8 weeks and stop it totally after 8 weeks.This med has to be tapered slowly or you might suffer horrible withdrawal symptoms.You could taper it even more slowly over 16 weeks by reducing it by 0.125 mg ever 2 weeks if you like.
Best of luck.