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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Xanax
Posted on
Fri, 8 Apr 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 8 Apr 2016
Answered on
Tue, 7 Jun 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hello,
I recently swtiched medications from taking 2 MG of Xanax extended release (1 MG at morning, 1 MG at night) and regular Xanax 0.5, for a total of 2-3 MG per day. It was working very well, but I was gaining weight and could not lose it despite eating less, working out and altering my lifestyle. I have been taking Klonopin for the past 2 weeks and in that time I have dropped almost 8 pounds and no longer have bloating and bad gas after meals and do not feel like a zombie trying to get out of bed. It has been great, there is just one problem, every 4 days or so, I start to feel very anxious like I am having withdrawals from xanax as I am taking 0.5 MG of Klonopin 3 times a day. I have Xanax left over and after taking a half MG, my symptoms disappear. I really want to be able to totally quit Xanax, but it I was told these symptoms should not be occuring. Am I not taking enough Klonopin? Please advise.
I recently swtiched medications from taking 2 MG of Xanax extended release (1 MG at morning, 1 MG at night) and regular Xanax 0.5, for a total of 2-3 MG per day. It was working very well, but I was gaining weight and could not lose it despite eating less, working out and altering my lifestyle. I have been taking Klonopin for the past 2 weeks and in that time I have dropped almost 8 pounds and no longer have bloating and bad gas after meals and do not feel like a zombie trying to get out of bed. It has been great, there is just one problem, every 4 days or so, I start to feel very anxious like I am having withdrawals from xanax as I am taking 0.5 MG of Klonopin 3 times a day. I have Xanax left over and after taking a half MG, my symptoms disappear. I really want to be able to totally quit Xanax, but it I was told these symptoms should not be occuring. Am I not taking enough Klonopin? Please advise.
Brief Answer:
I think no, your dose is adequate but not all the time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
Presence of withdrawal symptoms around every four days mean you are taking enough klonopin on most occasions but sometime the dose falls short when there is some more stress and that is managed by additional dose of xanax.
The one positive thing about this is that with passage of time these episodes will be rare as klonopin accumulates in body and helps when there is need.
In my view it will be appropriate if you can klonopin on facing these problems rather than xanax. I understand that you will feel on weird on haling this but klonopin will help to a great extent and you will not necessarily require xanax.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
I think no, your dose is adequate but not all the time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
Presence of withdrawal symptoms around every four days mean you are taking enough klonopin on most occasions but sometime the dose falls short when there is some more stress and that is managed by additional dose of xanax.
The one positive thing about this is that with passage of time these episodes will be rare as klonopin accumulates in body and helps when there is need.
In my view it will be appropriate if you can klonopin on facing these problems rather than xanax. I understand that you will feel on weird on haling this but klonopin will help to a great extent and you will not necessarily require xanax.
I hope this helps you.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for my future patients.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
I have been taking the Klonopin for almost two weeks. How much would you suggest I take on a daily basis. I want to stop taking Xanax completely and go from there. I was told to increase it temporarily the (Klonopin) by a Pharmacist to up to 3 MG XXXXXXX per day until the withdrawal goes away and then cut back to the original dose. If you disagree, please let me know, I would like a plan to go forward. Thanks!
I have been taking the Klonopin for almost two weeks. How much would you suggest I take on a daily basis. I want to stop taking Xanax completely and go from there. I was told to increase it temporarily the (Klonopin) by a Pharmacist to up to 3 MG XXXXXXX per day until the withdrawal goes away and then cut back to the original dose. If you disagree, please let me know, I would like a plan to go forward. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
I think 1.5 mg on regular basis and 0.5 mg on need basis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
As I said earlier it will be better to continue same dose as it is helping on most occasions and when it fails you can take additional dose of 0.5 mg.
Regarding the maximum dose I agree with your pharmacist but I feel the requirement for you will be not that high and above recommendation should be followed.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
I think 1.5 mg on regular basis and 0.5 mg on need basis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for reverting back to me.
As I said earlier it will be better to continue same dose as it is helping on most occasions and when it fails you can take additional dose of 0.5 mg.
Regarding the maximum dose I agree with your pharmacist but I feel the requirement for you will be not that high and above recommendation should be followed.
I hope this helps you further.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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