How Long Does Xanax Remain In The System?

Posted on Fri, 10 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Jul 2015 Answered on

Thu, 6 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been taking Xanax for 15 years. I am trying to stop taking them and have gone from taking 3 or 4 a day to 1 a day. How long will it take me to get it out of my system. I am having awful dizzy spells. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce the doses more gradually to prevent dizzy spells

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queried

Xanax is Alprazolam and the drug is a benzodiazepine drug. You have reduced the doses of the drug by own from 3-4 tabs to one tab per day. Since you have been taking the drug for years I'd advise you to take single tablet for at least 2-4 weeks and then reduce the tab to half for next two weeks and then on alternate day to 2 more weeks followed by complete stoppage. Dose reduction in this manner will not cause any withdrawal symptoms and this is safest method to taper the doses. Please take the drugs as prescribed doses only.

This dose reduction will reduce the risk of dizzy spells also.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. If you have more doubts please ask again.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar