Suggest Ways To Wean Off Zapic

Posted on Sun, 3 Apr 2016

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

Sun, 3 Apr 2016 Answered on

Thu, 2 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I was prescribed zapiz 0.25mg for restlesness twice a day. i have taken it for 1 week and want to stop it safely. Plz advice how to stop. Thanx and regards

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
stop it gradually

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing to us.

Zapiz contains clonazepam. It is benzodiazepine. Maximum recommended dose is 4 mg. You have taken on 0.5 mg in divided dosage for 1 week only. If you are better and want to stop you can reduce slowly as mentioned below.

First take half tablet (0.125 mg) twice a day for 5 days. Then half tablet once a day for 5 days and then stop. This approach will help to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Note: It is just merely symptomatic anxiety treatment. Stopping clonazepam may lead to reappearance of your basic problem. Discuss with your doctor before stopping it.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (30 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor for your advice. I forgot to mention that I am on second week it's been three days so I myself stopped the morning dose and took only evening dose i. e 0.25 mg. There is not much difference except a slight shortness of breath once in a while. was this way of reducing correct? what next to do.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes this alternative approach is also ok

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for clarification.

You have taken very low dose and for short duration. Even stopping it cold turkey will not disturb you more. I have given the best approach in which you can stop without any problem.
In stead of making it half twice a day you can take 0.25 mg once a day for 5 days and then half tablet of 0.25 mg for 5-6 days and then stop. This alternative approach will also work safely.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer if not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service.

In future if you wish you can contact me directly on this site with following link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page with three follow up questions.

Take care dear.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (11 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor for such a detailed advice. So I am concluding I can continue with this approach. Just wanted to ask if ppl do have withdrawal symptoms what approach is followed then?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
yes you can continue

Detailed Answer:
Hi lady,

Yes you can continue the same approach.

When people take benzodiazepine for more than 8 weeks chances of withdrawal symptoms are more. In that case very slow tapering of the dose is recommended.

In your case there will be no significant withdrawal at all. That is why you can stop within 10 days without discomfort.

All the best.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (8 hours later)

Alright. thank you Doctor.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
welcome

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome and take care.

http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki.

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