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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tubehead on November 7, 2001, at 14:25:38
Hello all .. been lurking on this board for a while and
you all seem to be a great group.I have been dealing with
some anxiety and depression issues. With the help of a
good pdoc I am making some real good progress.anyway, I have been on xanax for about 18 months (daily 1.5mg
taken 3x.5 per day. Never really varied much from the
prescribed dose ... occasionally days at 2.0 and as many
days at 1.0mg. I have also been on Prozac 20mg for most
of the 18 months (took a couple of 1 month breaks)I would like to start working my way off the xanax and
from reading posts and such it sounds like a valium
transfer and taper is the least painful way. (I know it
won't be easy any way I do it) The Doc is on board and
and says if I decide to go that route he will help me
out.Just looking for advice from someone who has tried this
method, advice about equilevant amounts, how to transfer
over, how long to taper etc. Any help or insight appreciated.
Posted by gilbert on November 7, 2001, at 22:32:31
In reply to xanax to valium ?, posted by tubehead on November 7, 2001, at 14:25:38
I have quit xanax twice in three years and was at around the same dosage you are. I just cut back i/2 a pill per week so 1.5mg would take you six weeks to come off of. No problems or withdrawal. If you have to switch benzos to get off go to klonopin and titrate down the same way about 1/6th of you total dosage per week. P.S. There is a benzo equivalency chart availabe in this site. I had way more trouble coming off the ssri's than the benzo's so don't freak yourself before you start.
Gil
Posted by Cam W. on November 8, 2001, at 0:16:14
In reply to xanax to valium ?, posted by tubehead on November 7, 2001, at 14:25:38
Welcome Tubehead - Gil is right, Klonopin™ (Rivotril™ - clonazepam) can be used in place of Valium™ (diazepam) and may be better for the anxiety during weaning. Both have long half-lives. I like his decreasing the dose by 1/6 per week (both Valium and Klonopin are available in flat tablets that can be cut up into smaller pieces using a sharp knife. If you have to stay at a dose for a couple weeks don't be discouraged. Listen to your body and don't be in a hurry to quit.
As for equivalence, approximately:
1mg of Xanax™ (alprazolam) = 10mg of Valium = 2mg of Klonopin
Common withdrawl symptoms (an indication that you are withdrawing too fast) - anxiety, insomnia, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, tremor, sweating, irritability, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, heart plpitations, and postural hypotention (ie. rising to quickly from lying down or sitting can cause dizziness or fainting).
The dose that you are taking is relatively low, so you should really have no problem weaning yourself from the Xanax. I doubt that you will experience many of the above withdrawl symptoms.
Good luck, and keep us posted. - Cam
Posted by Remi on November 8, 2001, at 5:32:06
In reply to xanax to valium ?, posted by tubehead on November 7, 2001, at 14:25:38
I tapered off xanax using valium. I went down 20% off the existing dose every two weeks. For some reason I could always feel where I stood with valium and not with klonopin. Go slooooowly and be patient. Don't hesitate to go back up to the previous dose for a couple of days if you feel very uncomfortable. I still found I needed Valium around for infrequent panic attacks or AD startup effects. But I am not much of a candidate for benzo abuse. They make me tired when I have to use them to knock back a panic attack. You and your doctor are well informed. Many don't realize you can back off a short acting benzo this way. But you can!
Posted by Remi on November 8, 2001, at 5:32:20
In reply to xanax to valium ?, posted by tubehead on November 7, 2001, at 14:25:38
I tapered off xanax using valium. I went down 20% off the existing dose every two weeks. For some reason I could always feel where I stood with valium and not with klonopin. Go slooooowly and be patient. Don't hesitate to go back up to the previous dose for a couple of days if you feel very uncomfortable. I still found I needed Valium around for infrequent panic attacks or AD startup effects. But I am not much of a candidate for benzo abuse. They make me tired when I have to use them to knock back a panic attack. You and your doctor are well informed. Many don't realize you can back off a short acting benzo this way. But you can!
Posted by petters on November 8, 2001, at 6:47:49
In reply to Re: xanax to valium ? » tubehead, posted by Cam W. on November 8, 2001, at 0:16:14
> Welcome Tubehead - Gil is right, Klonopin™ (Rivotril™ - clonazepam) can be used in place of Valium™ (diazepam) and may be better for the anxiety during weaning. Both have long half-lives. I like his decreasing the dose by 1/6 per week (both Valium and Klonopin are available in flat tablets that can be cut up into smaller pieces using a sharp knife. If you have to stay at a dose for a couple weeks don't be discouraged. Listen to your body and don't be in a hurry to quit.
>
> As for equivalence, approximately:
>
> 1mg of Xanax™ (alprazolam) = 10mg of Valium = 2mg of Klonopin
>
> Common withdrawl symptoms (an indication that you are withdrawing too fast) - anxiety, insomnia, headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, loss of appetite, tremor, sweating, irritability, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, heart plpitations, and postural hypotention (ie. rising to quickly from lying down or sitting can cause dizziness or fainting).
>
> The dose that you are taking is relatively low, so you should really have no problem weaning yourself from the Xanax. I doubt that you will experience many of the above withdrawl symptoms.
>
> Good luck, and keep us posted. - Cam
Hi...I have seen so many serve windraw symptoms with Xananx. Temesta and Xanax are definately the two benzo one should avoid. People I have seen in clinic with a gole to be benzo free, and have used most of the benzo, says the same thing. Temesta and Xanax are the worst to quit from.
Many clinical don´t use this two meds because it´s reputaion.
Best Wishes...
Petters.
This is the end of the thread.
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