Xanax help

My personal opinion is no, but please remember, we aren't doctors, so we can only share our personal stories.

I would recommend consulting with your physician. While I can appreciate your concerns contributing to your cutting your dose in half, please remember that your doctor prescribed a particular dose and your records indicate that dose.

I cannot imagine your doctor having any problems with you wanting to take less medication, but it's always good to keep them in the loop, before you make changes yourself to any prescription medication. At least that way, your record will reflect this, and should you get another prescription, perhaps your doctor would write the directions stating to take one half to one tablet as needed.

Generally speaking, people who are at risk are people who are taking more than the prescribed dose, -- taking more of the medication and/or taking it more frequently than recommended.



M.

What I would do is discuss your concerns with your doctor, explain your concerns about this particular medication. Your doctor prescribed it for a reason, so perhaps there is a different medication he/she feels would benefit you, and one that you feel safe and comfortable taking.

Always discuss changes in your medication with your doctor in advance.

Keep in mind, too, we're regular folk here, and as such, we can't dispense medical advice. I see no reason why your doctor would not approve your wanting to discontinue this medication, but remember, they are the professionals here!

Let us know how things work out for you. Work with your doc, and I'm sure you'll be fine! :)



M.

How quickly you can become addicted to a drug depends. There are too many factors involved to provide an easy answer. The biological make-up of your body, how sensitive you may be to a certain drug and the chemical make-up of the drug itself can all play a role in if or how quickly that you might become addicted.

If this is a concern for you please do talk with your Dr.  Everyone here has their own unique make up so one answer will not fit everyone.

A drug you may want to discuss with your Dr. is BusPar for anxiety as it is not addicting and it works well for many people.

Be well,

Kitt

I can't conceive that how you're currently taking them that they would be addictive. Xanax has a short half life (under 16 hours, often well under). That's actually part of the reason it may be more addictive than other benzodiazepines. Since the effects wear off quickly, a person may need to take another dose to relieve the tension, but it wears off quickly and so on.

I've taken Klonopin very sparingly for over 20 years. The prescription is written for 60 pills with 2 refills. I have never used the 2nd refill of any prescription, always going well past the date that I could pick-up the 2nd refill, usually months past it, before I see the doctor again to get a new prescription.

Klonopin has a moderately long half life (30 to 40 hours).

Pharmacists actually have more training in pharmacology than most doctors, their advice is often helpful. Although including your doctor in a decision to alter your dosage is best, if it is prescribed "as needed" and is for relief of anxiety, I would not think that cutting the pill in half as suggested by the pharmacist should be an issue.