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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cache-monkey on March 19, 2005, at 15:37:09
Hey,
So, I've posted a few times already about my benzo dilemma. I have my misgivings in terms of eventual discontinuation (physiological dependence). But I've been convinced by me therapist and p-doc that being on a benzo for the next few months could be very useful in a) making some strides toward addressing some of my underlying sources anxiety; b) facing a very stressful professional transition.
My p-doc put me on Xanax XR. I've heard that the way to go, in case one is experiencing difficulty in getting off a benzo, is to first cross-taper to Valium, and then use Valium's long half-life and small dose increments to wean off gradually.
But Xanax is a structurally different from the other benzos, a "tri-azolo analogue" of the 1,4-benzodiazepines. While all of the other benzos are 1,4. This might make it harder to cross-taper from Xanax to Valium, in theory.
I'm wondering if, in practice, anyone has had problems with such a cross-taper. Anyone cross-tapered without any problems?
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
cache-monkey
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2005, at 18:37:53
In reply to Any have probs. with Xanax to Valium cross-taper?, posted by cache-monkey on March 19, 2005, at 15:37:09
I was once weaned off of xanax and alchol in about 4 days with valium starting at high doses and going down in doseage each day. When I reached 5mg I felt pretty good, but unfortunately my pdoc caught up with me and I was stupid to go back on the xanax. Now I take valium and I've switched over from klonopin with no problem. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by awatts on March 20, 2005, at 9:44:34
In reply to Any have probs. with Xanax to Valium cross-taper?, posted by cache-monkey on March 19, 2005, at 15:37:09
> I've heard that the way to go, in case one is experiencing difficulty in getting off a benzo, is to first cross-taper to Valium, and then use Valium's long half-life and small dose increments to wean off gradually.
Yes - I've done that and it works very well. I've also just tapered the Xanax over 3 or 4 months. It was a lot more pleasant, and faster, switching to Valium first.
Posted by reefer on March 21, 2005, at 6:44:24
In reply to Any have probs. with Xanax to Valium cross-taper?, posted by cache-monkey on March 19, 2005, at 15:37:09
I switched from Xanax XR to Klonopin right away without any cross taper and i didn't suffer any extra anxiety at all. Went totally smooth. Might be because klonopin acted a bit sedating the first days i felt even calmer.
But then again diazepam has a lot of active metabolites that probably take a few days or even weeks to build up. So with diazepam a cross taper might be wise.
This is the end of the thread.
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