What is the proper amount of time to taper off Xanax?

Posted by fkplatt @fkplatt, Jul 19, 2021

What is the proper amount of time to taper off of Xanax after taking for over 10 years and 6 mg/day and several mental illnesses to include OCD, anxiety, PTSD. 50 year old male. Prescribed by a psychiatrist.

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@fkplatt, that's a really good question to ask "What is the proper amount of time to taper off of alprazolam (Xanax)?" I'm tagging fellow members like @tcccpa @rascal1 @bvgrammy @sears @njp1013 @thankful @tapering to share their experiences.

As you likely already know, no two people are the same and therefore your tapering schedule may look different from someone else's. Taking it slow and under the counsel of a knowledgeable mental health specialist is highly recommended. Has your psychiatrist suggested tapering off Xanax? Is it not working for you anymore?

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@fkplatt - Greetings to you! Early on while I was still seeing a physiatrist they prescribed Xanax along with Klonopin for my panic attacks.
They knew it would take awhile for the Klonopin to kick in so the Xanax they claimed was fast acting and would take the edge off things.
For me the Xanax had a negative effect on me and seemed to intensify the situation. After a few experiences with it I stopped taking it and by then the Klonopin had kicked in and was working very well for me. I've been on Klonopin (now Clonazapam) for over 20 years (1 Mg) and contemplate tapering off it, but what comes back to me it that age old saying "If it ain't broke, why fix it" Jim@thankful.

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@colleenyoung

@fkplatt, that's a really good question to ask "What is the proper amount of time to taper off of alprazolam (Xanax)?" I'm tagging fellow members like @tcccpa @rascal1 @bvgrammy @sears @njp1013 @thankful @tapering to share their experiences.

As you likely already know, no two people are the same and therefore your tapering schedule may look different from someone else's. Taking it slow and under the counsel of a knowledgeable mental health specialist is highly recommended. Has your psychiatrist suggested tapering off Xanax? Is it not working for you anymore?

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@fkplatt

I agree with what Colleen, @colleenyoung, said about different people will require different periods of time to wean off of medications like Xanax. I had an elderly relative who took benzodiazepines of different names for most of her adult life. She was hospitalized once and the psychiatrist attempted to put her on different meds which were helpful. However, at age 90, and after years of this type of anxiety medication, she was only able to get as low as .25 per day.

It really depends on how long you have taken it, your current age, and your current daily dosage. Often substituting an anti-depressant is very helpful. There are many anti-depressants that deal with anxiety.

Has your psychiatrist suggested an anti-depressant to help you at this time?

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You might ask your provider about a switch over to Valium. Valium is easier to taper. Google the Ashton Method. It’s an excellent and tried and true tapering option. I am using this method to a degree. It is taking me longer than the method calls for but that’s okay. Tapering is not a race. It’s all about keeping you comfortable. I take it one day at a time. I’ll continue to taper and when I’m done I’m done, I’m not going to dwell on my tapering schedule and drive myself crazy. The key is not to increase your dose once you’ve made a cut. You may need to stay on the same dose longer than some but that’s okay. I’m 18 months or so into tapering and am down to 7.5 mgs. of Valium. That is equivalent to a little less than 1/2 mg. of Xanax per day. I was on 3 mgs. Of Xanax per day for over 25 years. I also take 20 mgs. of Prozac. I’m not really sure if the Prozac helps or not. I was on 40 mgs. of Paxil for over 25 years. Paxil is one of the most difficult to taper. I may stay on the 7.5 mgs. of Valium per day. Who knows, we’ll see. I would like to ditch the Prozac. Again we’ll wait and see and take one day at a time. BTW I’m 68.

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@sears

You might ask your provider about a switch over to Valium. Valium is easier to taper. Google the Ashton Method. It’s an excellent and tried and true tapering option. I am using this method to a degree. It is taking me longer than the method calls for but that’s okay. Tapering is not a race. It’s all about keeping you comfortable. I take it one day at a time. I’ll continue to taper and when I’m done I’m done, I’m not going to dwell on my tapering schedule and drive myself crazy. The key is not to increase your dose once you’ve made a cut. You may need to stay on the same dose longer than some but that’s okay. I’m 18 months or so into tapering and am down to 7.5 mgs. of Valium. That is equivalent to a little less than 1/2 mg. of Xanax per day. I was on 3 mgs. Of Xanax per day for over 25 years. I also take 20 mgs. of Prozac. I’m not really sure if the Prozac helps or not. I was on 40 mgs. of Paxil for over 25 years. Paxil is one of the most difficult to taper. I may stay on the 7.5 mgs. of Valium per day. Who knows, we’ll see. I would like to ditch the Prozac. Again we’ll wait and see and take one day at a time. BTW I’m 68.

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I agree with you on time. If the effects are too much, wait a little longer between drops in dose, or drop in lesser steps. I have been on zoloft for years and years

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any one have any experience with the 12 day klonopin taper for getting off xanax?

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