I was on Xanax for the past two months. I was taking between 4-6 mg a day with a few days in between where I did not take as much or any at all. Yesterday my Doctor took me off the Xanax and put me on Valium 5 mg twice a day. I don"t want to be on any benzo's at all anymore but I guess my question is, is it safe to drop that much that quickly after two months? He told me to take the 15 day supply of valium and that should be good enough. I am still concerned about it though. I heard you can have terrrible withdrawals from Xanax after a few weeks.
From Xanax to Valium?
Question posted by Sherri77 on 12 March 2013
Last updated on 31 January 2021
This question has also been asked and answered here: Valium vs Xanax: Which is better?
5 Answers
ruthcrane
24 May 2020
I have been taking Xanax for 12 years . 4-5 mg per day for the last 8 years. I built up a tolerance for the xanax and this week my doctor switched me to valium 4 times a day 10 mg. I have had severe symptoms since day one of stopping xanax. It is scary. The doctor told me it should be a smooth transition but it is not. Today is day 3.
LGL
31 Jan 2021
How did your transition go to Valium? I am on day 5 and feel really miserable. Did you ever adapt to the Valium and eventual tapper off?
Kdp0311
17 July 2013
Discuss your concerns with your doctor. Unfortunately, one person experiences effects from a benzo that another person may not. Chalk it up to biodiversity. However, I have been undergoing treatment for PTSD related panic attacks and have been through the transition from Xanax to Valium. Ultimately, Klonopin turned out to be the most effective for me, but my doc always tapered my dosage of one benzo down while increasing the new one. If you feel out of your element without a benzo in your system, then you may have developed some dependency. Just have a serious talk with your doctor about any concerns you have regarding medication, no harm can come from it and you'll probably get a tapered dosage of meds that way.
jr357
12 March 2013
I have also been on Xanax. 0.5mgs twice a day for about a month or so. Started taking more at night just to sleep. My panic attacks are gone now so I started weaning off about 7 days ago. I guess to quickly because I felt sort of bad all over my body and I could not sleep. I'm down to 0.5 mgs only before bed. And only symptom is I only get about 5 hours sleep. Point is I have been looking into Valium (drugs.com) and it seems like a longer acting drug then Xanax. Slower to work on anxiety attacks but lasts longer in one's system than Xanax which only lasts 4-6 hours (personal experience) I'm going to switch over My self only because I think I may be able to quit the Valium easier just a theory. As I only want to take more Xanax when I can't sleep. Valium may last me through the night. Please keep us posted on how its going or friend me. PS with any benzos the less you can take to get by the better, as there not easy to quit. Good luck. Jr.
Sherri77
12 March 2013
I started the valium last night. It was my first night without Xanax and I did not sleep as well as normal. I woke up a few times during the night and had a hard time going back to sleep. It was not complete sleeplessness though. According to what I have seen, Xanax only stays in your system about 4-6 hours. That is why it is needed so often. Valium can last up to 100 hours in some people. That is why valium is easier to get off of. I would get off the xanax if I were you. Switching to valium seems to be the safer bet. Good luck to you as well. I will keep you updated and you do the same.
Inactive
12 March 2013
Hi jr357,
Valium is the better for long term as it has a half-life of 100-200 hrs. Also when and if you decide to stop the valium it will be easier to come off of. I hope your sleep is restored soon.
I will friend you both and you can decide whether or not to accept.
pamee
tk1966
8 Aug 2014
I have been taking canal for 14 yrs. and just recently started weaning down. I was taking1mg. 4 times a day. I'm down to 2 and a half a day and 15mg. Buspar 3 Times a day. It's really hard. I feel horrible. Should I ask my Dr. to switch me to valium and take me off the xanax? If they last longer would this process be easier?
Inactive
12 March 2013
Hello Sherri77,
I would be concerned, as the potential for withdrawal is high. However, not everyone becomes dependent within 2 months. If it was me I would talk to the Dr, because 10 mg valium is equal to .05 xanax, so if your body has become dependent on xanax you will need a much higher dose of valium. If you want off benzo's you have a good start with the valium. Just remember you must taper very slow and at your own time when your ready as well it may take awhile to taper so be patient and stay calm. Then again you only being on xanax for 2 months you may not experience any uncomfortable w/d. I wish you the best ... pamee
Inactive
12 March 2013
It might be a good idea to google an equivalence chart and print it to show your Dr equivalence of the valium and xanax. If you are going to taper down you need to be on a higher dose of valium to get stable before the taper.
Inactive
12 March 2013
Meant to type 0.5
Sherri77
12 March 2013
Thank you, I called my pharmacist and she told me that even though 2 months is long enough to experience discomfort such as headaches, nausea and insomnia, it is not long enough to have any seizures or other potentially fatal side effects. She said I may not have any withdrawal at all. According to her more than half of people who have taken benzo's don't experience withdrawal at all.
Inactive
12 March 2013
You're welcome Sherri,
A lot of people have increased anxiety when they think about coming off benzo's especially xanax, but jst as the pharmacist stated only about half. I do know the longer you take it and at high doses the higher chance of it being harder to come off of. If you do start getting really sick ask your Dr. to increase the valium until you're stable.
I wish you the best!
pamee
kaismama
12 March 2013
valium will cover the xanax withdrawal. His he taking you off them altogether? If so he needs to taper that valium down before you stop it.
Sherri77
12 March 2013
He took me off the xanax altogether and gave me the prescription for the valium. He said nothing about doing a taper at all. Just told me to take the valium until it was gone and I would be fine.
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valium, xanax, anxiety, doctor
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