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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Xanax

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Posted on Tue, 12 Jul 2016
Question: I am trying to stop taking Xanax, I have been taking 2mg a day for 3 months. I am wondering if I am in any danger of having withdrawal symptoms? I am not able to see a Dr. for help as I have no insurance.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (29 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes there is risk of withdrawal symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks again for posting at Healthcaremagic.

I really appreciate your effort to cut down on irregular intake of Benzodiazepines including Xanax, Klonazepam and Ativan.

The two mg of Xanax is high dose and there is good possibility of withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.

There are two options and one of them can be guided by me.

I will recommend you to cut down xanax by 20- 25 % per week. That mean for first week take 1.5 mg of Xanax per day. Than from the week two take one mg and from third week take 0.5 mg and stop by fourth week.

Although this is ideal but it is not always practical. In case you get some withdrawal symptoms cut down by 0.25 mg every week thus taking seven to eight weeks to stop it completely.

Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 3355 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Xanax

Brief Answer: Yes there is risk of withdrawal symptoms Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks again for posting at Healthcaremagic. I really appreciate your effort to cut down on irregular intake of Benzodiazepines including Xanax, Klonazepam and Ativan. The two mg of Xanax is high dose and there is good possibility of withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly. There are two options and one of them can be guided by me. I will recommend you to cut down xanax by 20- 25 % per week. That mean for first week take 1.5 mg of Xanax per day. Than from the week two take one mg and from third week take 0.5 mg and stop by fourth week. Although this is ideal but it is not always practical. In case you get some withdrawal symptoms cut down by 0.25 mg every week thus taking seven to eight weeks to stop it completely. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386 Thanks and regards.