Question 1

how can i taper off the benzodiazepine lorazepam?

Accepted Answer

With medical help: You should be under the care of a doctor who is knowledgeable about benzodiazepines like lorazepam.  There are multiple ways to do it but they all involve either gradual stepwise reductions or changing to a longer acting agent and initiating a gradual taper with this different agent.  It is better to talk with a doctor about it first to determine if it is even safe to do so to begin with.

Question 2

i'm tapering off rivotril slowly. when i'm clean, how long will it take before my benzodiazepine tolerance gets back to or close to zero?

Accepted Answer

Unpredictable: There are many factors that will determine when your tolerance will return. It should take several weeks tapering off of medication. Age, length of treatment, metabolism can all factor in to the answer.

Question 3

is it inevitable to get rebound anxiety while tapering off benzodiazepines, even slowly?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Rebound anxiety is not inevitable, although there are many individuals who do experience it. A lot depends on the rate of tapering, the dosage before tapering, how long someone has been taking the medication and the severity of their anxiety. At times it is also unclear how much rebound is due to the med vs situational. I recommend expecting mild to moderate short-term symptoms with a plan to cope.

Question 4

help with unintentional benzodiazepine addiction?  can't find dr who knows anything about slow taper.  the ashton manuel? anyone?

Accepted Answer

Addiction Medicine: An addiction medicine doctor can help you.  Many of these are psychiatrists, but some are also family physicians, internists, and others.  You can check with the american society of addiction medicine to find the doctor nearest you:  http://community.Asam.Org/search/default.Asp?M=basic    good luck.

Question 5

how do you taper a paradoxical benzodiazepine (clonazepam) ?

Accepted Answer

Best w/ Dr's help: It's best to work w/ the Dr (they're responsible!) but if you can't, go slow and careful!  Drop dose by .5 mg per week at the fastest. If you are'nt comfortable, give it 2 wks for each drop. The risk of seizure is serious, so be careful to recognize even small odd feelings and see a Dr quickly if needed.  It's good to get off safely and learn now for future. Always ask about end game up front!

Question 6

what situations lead to excitotoxicity? is it a result or cause of seizures and can it happen during benzodiazepine/alcohol withdrawal or would a taper prevent this?

Accepted Answer

Taper: It is why you taper. Benzodiazapines increase gamma amino butyric acid at a receptor. This increases GABA and causes cell to be less excited. When withdrawn the cells will be too excited. That is why it is important to taper the dose when stopping. Usually over a few days.

Question 7

i take .25mg of clonazepam for about a year. i was on a full mg but have been tapering off for about 6 mo. anyway, can i eat grapefruit with this medication since im on a low dose? i read some benzodiazepines interact while others dont?

Accepted Answer

: Go to Drugs.com and enter in the specific pill you are taking and get details. Also enter any other meds your are taking as they can effect how each one is metabolized and change blood levels.

Question 8

i have been on alprazolam for a year now, 1mg morning and 1mg at night for anxiety and panic attacks. would it be better to take antidepressant and then start weaning off the benzodiazepine, rather than tapering off without using an antidepressant?

Accepted Answer

Either way : Best would be to use your current prescriber as it is unclear what condition is being treated, but only symptoms of anxiety and panic.
Regardless, benzos, such as Alprazolam, the most addictive one, are notorious of creating long term significant issues, so weaning yourself is a great idea. Counseling may help also if available in the area.

Question 9

who is more qualified to handle my taper from benzodiapines, a psychiatrist or a neurologist?

Accepted Answer

Either, really...: ...But i would suggest you go with the doctor you have the most trust in. It's not going to be an easy thing to do, so you might as well go into it with confidence in the one leading you.

Question 10

why are benzodiazepines no longer listed as schedule iv drugs?

Accepted Answer

Addiction: Benzos are schedule II drugs because of their high rate of becoming habit forming and addictive.

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Doctor answers about:

Benzodiazepine taper schedule

A member asked:

How can i taper off the benzodiazepine lorazepam?

A member asked:

I'm tapering off rivotril slowly. when i'm clean, how long will it take before my benzodiazepine tolerance gets back to or close to zero?

A member asked:

Is it inevitable to get rebound anxiety while tapering off benzodiazepines, even slowly?

A member asked:

Help with unintentional benzodiazepine addiction? can't find dr who knows anything about slow taper. the ashton manuel? anyone?

A member asked:

How do you taper a paradoxical benzodiazepine (clonazepam) ?

A member asked:

What situations lead to excitotoxicity? is it a result or cause of seizures and can it happen during benzodiazepine/alcohol withdrawal or would a taper prevent this?

A member asked:

I take .25mg of clonazepam for about a year. i was on a full mg but have been tapering off for about 6 mo. anyway, can i eat grapefruit with this medication since im on a low dose? i read some benzodiazepines interact while others dont?

A member asked:

I have been on alprazolam for a year now, 1mg morning and 1mg at night for anxiety and panic attacks. would it be better to take antidepressant and then start weaning off the benzodiazepine, rather than tapering off without using an antidepressant?

A member asked:

Who is more qualified to handle my taper from benzodiapines, a psychiatrist or a neurologist?

A member asked:

Why are benzodiazepines no longer listed as schedule iv drugs?

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