I have been taking anywhere from 0.5mg to 1mg a day of Xanax for about a year. I want to wean off and go back to taking Valium as needed like I was doing years ago. That worked well for my anxiety issue. I had a BAD time of it this past year so family Dr. put me on the Xanax. I asked for Valium as it's longer acting and I would like it as needed. So my question is, how do I go off the Xanax and switch onto Valium as needed? Dr. said I could just do it now. But hmm.. I don't know about that. Yeah the Xanax was a low dose but a year. I've searched for schedules but I'm only finding some with high doses of Xanax and not finding anything on how you can just switch over to Valium. Can someone help?
Wanting to get off Xanax - switching to Valium?
Question posted by Abufarwa on 8 Dec 2018
Last updated on 8 December 2018
Answers
Rathmullan
8 Dec 2018
Hello Abufarwa:
Just a thought. I'd start by taking 5 mg of Valium mid to late morning each day as sort of a baseline dosage and then taking another 5 mg later in the day if needed - but don't allow yourself more than that. Try to lengthen the time between your morning dosage and the later dosage. Also, try taking only 2.5 mg as the later dosage as time goes on. If you could eventually get yourself down to just 5 mg of Valium a day you would be doing awesome.
Take care for now and all the best.
Abufarwa
8 Dec 2018
That sound good. So I can stop taking the Xanax right off the bat and start with the valium? I took 1 valium in the am day before yesterday and 1 in the pm and it was too much. I felt over medicated and muscle weakness. Couldn't get thru my yoga class.
Rathmullan
8 Dec 2018
Xanax has a little more intensive sedative effect which is why it is prescribed more for panic attacks and situational anxiety. Valium may be slightly less in its sedative "intensity" but it's effect is longer lasting (and strangely, it's effect is supposed to be quicker) which is why it also is an excellent muscle relaxant.
That's a very good sign that you felt over medicated on the Valium assuming that we are comparing apples to apples - that is, the Valium is 10 x the amount of Xanax is milligrams. If you don't suffer from panic disorder or situational anxiety. Valium may be the better medication for you and you may be able to get away with less of it. You may not miss the Xanax at all.
Take care for now and all the best.
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