How To Wean Off Alprazolam And Zolpidem?

Posted on Mon, 12 Sep 2016

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

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 Answered on

Mon, 3 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having trouble sleeping. For years I've taken remeron 15mg and serezone 100mg at night. Has helped much. Lately I've had more anxiety and have been taking alprazolam .5mg along with zolpidem 5mg at night and they have uped my serezone to 250mg at night. Been doing this for about 4 weeks. I would like to get off of the alprazolam And the zolpidem. When i try not taking one or the other my sleep is like an hr or two at a time. Any sugestions?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce one by one and slowly

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Health care magic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.

Rather than attempting on a single go reduce it slowly. For example first take three fourth of alprazolam for one week than teduce to half and one quarter of alprazolam in subsequent weeks.

In this way take three weeks to stop alprazolam and follow the same principle with zolpidem.

I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

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