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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Steps Should I Follow To Taper Off From Xanax 6mg Per Day Prescribed For Anxiety ?

Hi Doc , I need advice on how to taper off xanax 6mg/day. The reason for my high dose is because I have severe anxiety with agoraphobia since age 15. (i m 37 now) Plus, it s been prescribed for me off & on thru the years, and I m quite tolerant to it; my body just won t respond to less. Question 1. How slowly should I do this (days/weeks, etc) Question 2. By how many mg. to reduce current dose per day/week, etc. I ve only been taking this amount for 14 days now, and I still have 50 1mg pills to taper down with. I m afraid of potential seizures as a result of discontinuing. What dose reduction do you recommend & over how long? Any other recommendations on what could ease my withdrawal? Thanks!
posted on Fri, 24 Feb 2012
Twitter Sat, 7 Apr 2012 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 9 Apr 2012 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Dear Madam/Sir

It appears you have agoraphobia alone or panic disorder with agoraphobia. It is also not clear that whether you are taking only xanax or some other medication. If you are prescribed xanax for last few weeks then you can reduce 10-20% every week till it is over. But such decision is usually done when symptoms are controlled for weeks or months and chances of immediate relapses is low. You should take other measures of reducing anxiety such as relaxation technique, deep breathing exercise, yoga etc. Better you consult your psychiatrist and discuss these issue.

Hope you will recover soon.
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  User's Response
Hello Michael,
Thank you for posting your query. It is good that you are motivated to come off Xanax. But you have to be careful how you go about it. As this is a prescription drug, the schedule for reducing the dosage has to be individualized and this can be safely done only after a personal consultation with your treating doctor. He will be the best person to decide if the dosage needs to be reduced and over how long a period it should be done.
Please visit your treating physician and he will guide you.
Hope I have helped you. Please get back if you have any further queries.
All the best
Dr. Lavinia

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What Steps Should I Follow To Taper Off From Xanax 6mg Per Day Prescribed For Anxiety ?

Dear Madam/Sir It appears you have agoraphobia alone or panic disorder with agoraphobia. It is also not clear that whether you are taking only xanax or some other medication. If you are prescribed xanax for last few weeks then you can reduce 10-20% every week till it is over. But such decision is usually done when symptoms are controlled for weeks or months and chances of immediate relapses is low. You should take other measures of reducing anxiety such as relaxation technique, deep breathing exercise, yoga etc. Better you consult your psychiatrist and discuss these issue. Hope you will recover soon.