Manny guy asked
Is it safe to reduce my daily Alprazolam dosage? I've been taking 0.5mgs three times a day for about three weeks now. I really don't want to build a tolenrace to this. So would taking .5mgs twice a day instead of three, be safe?
Answer
There is no single, set in stone way to safely taper a benzodiazepine, such as Xanax (alprazolam).
It is important to slowly taper Xanax (alprazolam) when discontinuing, or even simply decreasing the dose of the medication as you can develop withdrawal symptoms in your dose is decreased too quickly. Potential withdrawal symptoms include:
- Rebound of condition being treated
- Sweating
- Fast heart rate
- Muscle cramps
- Tremor
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Nausea
Individuals taking Xanax (alprazolam) are particularly at risk for withdrawal symptoms due to the quick-acting and short duration properties of the drug.
Other risk factors for increased chances of withdrawal symptoms include:
- Use over one year
- High doses
- Decrease by no more than 0.5 mg every three days.
- If you have been taking high doses, you may need to taper slower.
- For example, Canadian labeling for Xanax (alprazolam) recommends decreasing the dose of the medication every two to three weeks if you have been on doses over 6mg per day.
You have been on Xanax (alprazolam) for a relatively short period of time (21 days) and you should be at a low risk withdrawal symptoms.
Nevertheless, as Xanax (alprazolam) has such as short duration of action (which increases the risk of withdrawal symptoms) it may be prudent to slowly decrease your dose. You may want to split or cut some of your tablets in half to allow for a slow dose decrease. Be sure to speak with your doctor so you can discuss the best tapering method for your particular medication situation.
Xanax (Alprazolam) Information
Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine and it works by stimulating the GABA receptor in the brain. GABA is the brains natural process of causing relaxation.
When patients begin taking medications that change the chemistry in the brain their body adapts and stops producing the same chemicals because there is no longer a need. This is why it is important that when stopping any medication that causes changes in the brain that you slowly taper off of them, benzodiazepines being one of the most important.
