HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

How Can I Stop Taking Xanax? Concerned About Seizure

Whats the best way to come off 1mg of Xanax per day without feeling sick. Should I come off cold turkey or check into a detox? I just don t want to risk a seizure. At what MG per day would I be at risk of danger? Is their any natural alternative to easing the detoxification process and about how long will it take for me to sleep without feeling horrible?
Wed, 27 Feb 2013
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hello setmymaps
Welcome to HCM

Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug and its a very safe drug, but it has very high abuse potential. It is very difficult to get rid of addiction. 1 mg. per day Xanax for long might have made you dependent, but its not a very high dose. You will suffer withdrawal symptoms but risk of seizure is very very rare. Other symptoms like increased craving, drug seeking behavior, fatigue, nausea, restlessness, heightened anxiety, tremors, soreness of muscles will be seen.
Best to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal and to minimize risk to seizure is to taper the dose of drug slowly. As you are presently on 1 mg then taper it to 0.5 mg for 2 wks then 0.25 mg for further 2 wks and then 0.25 mg half tablet for 1 wk and ultimately complete stopping. But very high level of motivation is needed to taper drug. To avoid pains and fatigue you can take any NSAID drug for analgesia.
Have plenty of water. But for sleep you have to motivate yourself as it will be for long, but newer drugs which are analogues of sleep hormones and are non addicting can be taken like Melatonin, or Ramelteon.
This will improve your sleep.
Hope I cleared your doubt.
Take Care
Hope I
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Malaise


Loading Online Doctors....
How Can I Stop Taking Xanax? Concerned About Seizure

Hello setmymaps Welcome to HCM Xanax is a benzodiazepine drug and its a very safe drug, but it has very high abuse potential. It is very difficult to get rid of addiction. 1 mg. per day Xanax for long might have made you dependent, but its not a very high dose. You will suffer withdrawal symptoms but risk of seizure is very very rare. Other symptoms like increased craving, drug seeking behavior, fatigue, nausea, restlessness, heightened anxiety, tremors, soreness of muscles will be seen. Best to avoid the symptoms of withdrawal and to minimize risk to seizure is to taper the dose of drug slowly. As you are presently on 1 mg then taper it to 0.5 mg for 2 wks then 0.25 mg for further 2 wks and then 0.25 mg half tablet for 1 wk and ultimately complete stopping. But very high level of motivation is needed to taper drug. To avoid pains and fatigue you can take any NSAID drug for analgesia. Have plenty of water. But for sleep you have to motivate yourself as it will be for long, but newer drugs which are analogues of sleep hormones and are non addicting can be taken like Melatonin, or Ramelteon. This will improve your sleep. Hope I cleared your doubt. Take Care Hope I