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How To Reduce Xanax And Vicodin Dosage?
Brief Answer:
Drugs in urine test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
Xanax contains alprazolam which is a benzodiazepine. half life ranges from 6 to 11 hours, but after chronic use half life can increase up to 26 hours. A drug stays in you system 5.5 times of its half life. so it will be detected in urine for at least 6 to 7 days. but there are reports of detection of xanax up to 30 days after stopping its oral use.
You should decrease it to the level of 0.25 mg twice a day. but when you will do this you might have withdrawal symptoms from xanax.
Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. hydrocodone is an synthetic opioid, detection of which in the system without prescription is legally not acceptable. Hydrocodone can be detected in the urine up to 3 to 4 days after single dose. But after chronic use it may be detected for up to 7 to 10 days. Acetaminophen can be detected up to 2 to 3 days in urine.
Use of vicodin is always habit forming and you have became addicted to it, because you are increasing the dose. sudden stoppage of the drug or decreasing the dose will cause withdrawal symptoms. You should stop using it but first of all you should decrease the dose to 5 mg bid.
In my opinion, decreasing the dosage on your own would be dangerous because of possibility of withdrawal symptoms. you should do this under observation of your prescribing doctor.
Important consideration is why you were given this two drugs? for which symptoms? do you have chronic pain and anxiety?
Hope, I have cleared your doubt. If you have further queries feel free to ask..best of luck..
Drugs in urine test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
Xanax contains alprazolam which is a benzodiazepine. half life ranges from 6 to 11 hours, but after chronic use half life can increase up to 26 hours. A drug stays in you system 5.5 times of its half life. so it will be detected in urine for at least 6 to 7 days. but there are reports of detection of xanax up to 30 days after stopping its oral use.
You should decrease it to the level of 0.25 mg twice a day. but when you will do this you might have withdrawal symptoms from xanax.
Vicodin is a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. hydrocodone is an synthetic opioid, detection of which in the system without prescription is legally not acceptable. Hydrocodone can be detected in the urine up to 3 to 4 days after single dose. But after chronic use it may be detected for up to 7 to 10 days. Acetaminophen can be detected up to 2 to 3 days in urine.
Use of vicodin is always habit forming and you have became addicted to it, because you are increasing the dose. sudden stoppage of the drug or decreasing the dose will cause withdrawal symptoms. You should stop using it but first of all you should decrease the dose to 5 mg bid.
In my opinion, decreasing the dosage on your own would be dangerous because of possibility of withdrawal symptoms. you should do this under observation of your prescribing doctor.
Important consideration is why you were given this two drugs? for which symptoms? do you have chronic pain and anxiety?
Hope, I have cleared your doubt. If you have further queries feel free to ask..best of luck..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
no problem cutting the vicodin down to 5 bid , iv already saerted. I will definatly XXXXXXX cutting down the xanax to.25 imediately. i have about 2 months before urinalisis, can i cut down slower?.
ive been on xanax for almost 30yrs. I am not trying to quit altogether but like i said i have been using to much, 6-8 mg a day and afraid of failing a pee test if they do a 'level test". How much do i have to cut down and how fast to get an aceptable level of 1mg tid?
ive been on xanax for almost 30yrs. I am not trying to quit altogether but like i said i have been using to much, 6-8 mg a day and afraid of failing a pee test if they do a 'level test". How much do i have to cut down and how fast to get an aceptable level of 1mg tid?
Brief Answer:
Yes, gradual tapering is recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query again.
As you plan to reduce dose in the next 2 months, I will start gradual tapering by decreasing 1 mg of xanax every alternate day until we reach level of 1 mg bid. Then further I would reduced by 0.5mg alternate day until we reach the doses of 0.25mg thrice daily. As I said earlier tapering the dosage without monitoring can cause withdrawal symptoms that might be severe. Therefore general monitoring is absolutely essential. In your case, I would try to achieve the target of 0.25mg thrice daily within 15 days.
The saame applies to vicodin. I will decrease the dose of 5 mg alternate day. reach the level of 5 mg bid within next 15 days.
Please note that higher concentration can be present in urine for next 7 to 10 days after maintaining the low dose.
I hope this will be helpful to you.
Best of luck..
Yes, gradual tapering is recommended.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your query again.
As you plan to reduce dose in the next 2 months, I will start gradual tapering by decreasing 1 mg of xanax every alternate day until we reach level of 1 mg bid. Then further I would reduced by 0.5mg alternate day until we reach the doses of 0.25mg thrice daily. As I said earlier tapering the dosage without monitoring can cause withdrawal symptoms that might be severe. Therefore general monitoring is absolutely essential. In your case, I would try to achieve the target of 0.25mg thrice daily within 15 days.
The saame applies to vicodin. I will decrease the dose of 5 mg alternate day. reach the level of 5 mg bid within next 15 days.
Please note that higher concentration can be present in urine for next 7 to 10 days after maintaining the low dose.
I hope this will be helpful to you.
Best of luck..
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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