Xanax taper help please!

Hello,

 

I’m down to 0.18225 of Xanax daily. I was taking 0.25mg every evening. My doctors recommended cutting every two weeks by 1/4. I did the first cut but feel like this is too fast. Would like instructions on how to liquid titrate for the remainder. I’ve read a lot but still can’t seem to figure it out. Anyone that can help with liquid taper plan?

 

Thanks!

I just want to make sure you know you have other options besides making your own liquid, Xanax comes in a liquid formulation from the manufacturer, you can also ask your doctor to write you a script to take to a compounding pharmacy and you can also weigh your dose on a jewelers scale to make reductions.

 

However, if you still want to make your own liquid we can help you.

 

 

So I asked my doctor about using a compound pharmacy and he said that it wasn’t necessary. I asked about a slower taper and he insisted that the taper was safe and slow. I’m assuming he’ll say no to liquid. So I would definitely like to try it on my own please!!

 

Thanks!

Hello. I am doing a Xanax taper using vodka (daily micro taper). It is working very well. I am stable, functional, and sleeping well. I am reducing my dosage every day, and take my dosage at bedtime.

 

Xanax is very potent, so any big cut will hurt. However, the daily micro taper has small cuts every day. And if you are not feeling it, you can hold for a day or two or three. The goal is to keep moving forward (and using your body and symptoms as a guide).

 

See my signature for details. It is very easy and convenient. I did not have to buy equipment. An old jam jar (glass) to store the solution, and two free syringes from the local pharmacy (a 10ml syringe and a 1ml syringe). Please feel free to ask any questions.

 

With my 100ml solution, if I need to take 0.208mg , then I simply take 20.8ml of the solution and add to some juice.

You can make a liquid titration plan here:

https://benzo.alwaysdata.net/titration/titrationForm.php

 

I made this for you. Using a 10% reduction every week. This will get you done in 120 days. This is only a guide. You can always go a bit faster (depending on your body and symptoms). I have both slowed down and sped up.

 

Day 	                        Dose 1	        Total dose
#	      /       /     	mg	= ml	mg/day
1	       /       /     	0.1793	17.93	0.1793
2	       /       /     	0.1766	17.66	0.1766
3	       /       /     	0.1740	17.40	0.1740
4	       /       /     	0.1714	17.14	0.1714
5	       /       /     	0.1688	16.88	0.1688
6	       /       /     	0.1663	16.63	0.1663
7	       /       /     	0.1638	16.38	0.1638
8	       /       /     	0.1614	16.14	0.1614
9	       /       /     	0.1589	15.89	0.1589
10	       /       /     	0.1566	15.66	0.1566
11	       /       /     	0.1542	15.42	0.1542
12	       /       /     	0.1519	15.19	0.1519
13	       /       /     	0.1497	14.97	0.1497
14	       /       /     	0.1474	14.74	0.1474
15	       /       /     	0.1452	14.52	0.1452
16	       /       /     	0.1430	14.30	0.1430
17	       /       /     	0.1409	14.09	0.1409
18	       /       /     	0.1388	13.88	0.1388
19	       /       /     	0.1367	13.67	0.1367
20	       /       /     	0.1347	13.47	0.1347
21	       /       /     	0.1327	13.27	0.1327
22	       /       /     	0.1307	13.07	0.1307
23	       /       /     	0.1287	12.87	0.1287
24	       /       /     	0.1268	12.68	0.1268
25	       /       /     	0.1249	12.49	0.1249
26	       /       /     	0.1231	12.31	0.1231
27	       /       /     	0.1212	12.12	0.1212
28	       /       /     	0.1194	11.94	0.1194
29	       /       /     	0.1176	11.76	0.1176
30	       /       /     	0.1159	11.59	0.1159
31	       /       /     	0.1141	11.41	0.1141
32	       /       /     	0.1124	11.24	0.1124
33	       /       /     	0.1108	11.08	0.1108
34	       /       /     	0.1091	10.91	0.1091
35	       /       /     	0.1075	10.75	0.1075
36	       /       /     	0.1059	10.59	0.1059
37	       /       /     	0.1043	10.43	0.1043
38	       /       /     	0.1027	10.27	0.1027
39	       /       /     	0.1012	10.12	0.1012
40	       /       /     	0.0997	9.97	0.0997
41	       /       /     	0.0982	9.82	0.0982
42	       /       /     	0.0967	9.67	0.0967
43	       /       /     	0.0953	9.53	0.0953
44	       /       /     	0.0939	9.39	0.0939
45	       /       /     	0.0925	9.25	0.0925
46	       /       /     	0.0911	9.11	0.0911
47	       /       /     	0.0897	8.97	0.0897
48	       /       /     	0.0884	8.84	0.0884
49	       /       /     	0.0871	8.71	0.0871
50	       /       /     	0.0857	8.57	0.0857
51	       /       /     	0.0845	8.45	0.0845
52	       /       /     	0.0832	8.32	0.0832
53	       /       /     	0.0820	8.20	0.0820
54	       /       /     	0.0807	8.07	0.0807
55	       /       /     	0.0795	7.95	0.0795
56	       /       /     	0.0783	7.83	0.0783
57	       /       /     	0.0772	7.72	0.0772
58	       /       /     	0.0760	7.60	0.0760
59	       /       /     	0.0749	7.49	0.0749
60	       /       /     	0.0738	7.38	0.0738
61	       /       /     	0.0727	7.27	0.0727
62	       /       /     	0.0716	7.16	0.0716
63	       /       /     	0.0705	7.05	0.0705
64	       /       /     	0.0695	6.95	0.0695
65	       /       /     	0.0684	6.84	0.0684
66	       /       /     	0.0674	6.74	0.0674
67	       /       /     	0.0664	6.64	0.0664
68	       /       /     	0.0654	6.54	0.0654
69	       /       /     	0.0644	6.44	0.0644
70	       /       /     	0.0635	6.35	0.0635
71	       /       /     	0.0625	6.25	0.0625
72	       /       /     	0.0616	6.16	0.0616
73	       /       /     	0.0607	6.07	0.0607
74	       /       /     	0.0598	5.98	0.0598
75	       /       /     	0.0589	5.89	0.0589
76	       /       /     	0.0580	5.80	0.0580
77	       /       /     	0.0571	5.71	0.0571
78	       /       /     	0.0563	5.63	0.0563
79	       /       /     	0.0554	5.54	0.0554
80	       /       /     	0.0546	5.46	0.0546
81	       /       /     	0.0538	5.38	0.0538
82	       /       /     	0.0530	5.30	0.0530
83	       /       /     	0.0522	5.22	0.0522
84	       /       /     	0.0514	5.14	0.0514
85	       /       /     	0.0506	5.06	0.0506
86	       /       /     	0.0499	4.99	0.0499
87	       /       /     	0.0491	4.91	0.0491
88	       /       /     	0.0484	4.84	0.0484
89	       /       /     	0.0477	4.77	0.0477
90	       /       /     	0.0470	4.70	0.0470
91	       /       /     	0.0463	4.63	0.0463
92	       /       /     	0.0456	4.56	0.0456
93	       /       /     	0.0449	4.49	0.0449
94	       /       /     	0.0442	4.42	0.0442
95	       /       /     	0.0436	4.36	0.0436
96	       /       /     	0.0429	4.29	0.0429
97	       /       /     	0.0423	4.23	0.0423
98	       /       /     	0.0416	4.16	0.0416
99	       /       /     	0.0410	4.10	0.0410
100	       /       /     	0.0404	4.04	0.0404
101	       /       /     	0.0398	3.98	0.0398
102	       /       /     	0.0392	3.92	0.0392
103	       /       /     	0.0386	3.86	0.0386
104	       /       /     	0.0380	3.80	0.0380
105	       /       /     	0.0375	3.75	0.0375
106	       /       /     	0.0369	3.69	0.0369
107	       /       /     	0.0364	3.64	0.0364
108	       /       /     	0.0358	3.58	0.0358
109	       /       /     	0.0353	3.53	0.0353
110	       /       /     	0.0348	3.48	0.0348
111	       /       /     	0.0342	3.42	0.0342
112	       /       /     	0.0337	3.37	0.0337
113	       /       /     	0.0332	3.32	0.0332
114	       /       /     	0.0327	3.27	0.0327
115	       /       /     	0.0322	3.22	0.0322
116	       /       /     	0.0318	3.18	0.0318
117	       /       /     	0.0313	3.13	0.0313
118	       /       /     	0.0308	3.08	0.0308
119	       /       /     	0.0304	3.04	0.0304
120	       /       /     	0.0299	2.99	0.0299

 

 

Hi Darkarchon,

 

Thanks! This is very helpful! I see that you have 1mg of Xanax. My pill is 0.25mg, would I still dilute this in 2mls of vodka and 98mls of water to get the same dosages as listed in the schedule? Also I have always taken it in the evening, but my doctor suggested splitting the dose and take at 3 and 9pm, thinking that it might help with the headache. However I noticed that I'm feeling worse in the morning. So I'm wondering if I should just continue at night, or just take the full dose every morning instead. I started a different medication to help with sleep about a month ago when I was previously tapering.

 

Thanks!

My pill is 0.25mg, would I still dilute this in 2mls of vodka and 98mls of water to get the same dosages as listed in the schedule?

Yes. 4 pills x 0.25mg = 1mg of Xanax. It should dissolve in 2ml of vodka. If you need to add an extra ml of vodka, that is fine as well (to ensure it all dissolves). If the vodka does not cover all the pills, then crush them first. Add water and total it up to 100ml. This is good for the next 10-14 days. It does dissolve very quickly.

 

Also I have always taken it in the evening... I noticed that I'm feeling worse in the morning. So I'm wondering if I should just continue at night,

Some people like myself do 1 dose a day. Some do in the morning, while I do it at night. Others do split-dosing. If taking it at night works for you, then keep at it. The key is to find something that works for you, and allows you the best odds of being stable and functional while tapering.

 

Remember the mantra: freedom, by any means necessary!

Thanks again! I’m a little nervous about using four pills to dissolve, would it be possible to do one pill a day? I only get 10 pills at a time unfortunately. Is there another solvent, or is alcohol really ok to use? Sorry just worried I won’t do it correctly and desperate to do it the best way possible. How have you symptoms been so far? I’m still surprised for myself that this small dose is giving me so much trouble. I’m sure my thoughts make it worse of course.

 

Thanks!!

Sorry just worried I won’t do it correctly and desperate to do it the best way possible. How have you symptoms been so far? I’m still surprised for myself that this small dose is giving me so much trouble. I’m sure my thoughts make it worse of course.

 

Vodka is perfectly fine and safe to use. Xanax dissolves immediately in it, and we are talking about a very teeny-tiny amount of vodka.

 

My symptoms were a bit harsh when I first started the micro tapering, but I was still functional, stable, and sleeping well. The symptoms started to slowly ease up every day. I feel that I heal every day, and I love knowing that my dosage is reducing every day. Nowadays, I am still tapering down, and have minimal symptoms.

 

Read this:

[*]Place 0.5ml regular store vodka (80 proof) in your container (old glass jar with lid will be fine)

[*]Tilt your container so all the vodka is on one side

[*]Drop the 0.25mg Xanax pill into the vodka

[*]Make sure the vodka covers the entire pill

[*]If needed,  add a couple of more drops of vodka to cover the entire pill

[*]Keep the container tilted as the Xanax dissolves away (about 5 min)

[*]Add water to make a total of 25 ml solution. If your vodka was 0.5ml, then add 24.5ml water

 

This solution is at a strength of 0.01mg/ml. This means, to take 0.182mg, you will ingest 18.2ml of solution. You can mix in juice and drink. This strength gives you more control as you get into the single digits.

 

 

Thanks again! Can I still go by your last schedule doing it this way since it’s the same concentration? It’s great that you are able to do this now with minimal symptoms, I hope that will be the same for me!

Can I still go by your last schedule doing it this way since it’s the same concentration?

Yes. It is still 0.01mg/ml.

Did you have any difficulty switching to liquid titration?

Did you have any difficulty switching to liquid titration?

 

Hello. I did not have any difficulty at all. If it helps, you could stabilize on the liquid solution and then begin the taper.

 

I did have symptoms during tapering (brain zaps, muscle tremors, increased blood pressure, anxiety, etc), but those are to be expected as the benzo is being slowly being reduced in the body.

 

I took my Xanax during bedtime, and it allowed me to get a good night of sleep. This allowed me to tackle the day with comfort.

 

How is your tapering coming along?

I tried the liquid titration last night and took 18mls. How do you know for sure that you are getting the exact concentration of the drug? I swirled it around so that it was suspended throughout but still seemed as though there was more on the bottom after I took out the 18 mls. I put the 0.25 in the glass jar, 0.5 ml of vodka, 24.5 ml of water, swirled it, pulled out 18mls. I’m worried that the strength will vary a lot daily by more than it should.

This is the dilemma, I've seen a lot of discussion about solution vs suspension.  I don't know where you're located but in the US, Xanax comes in a liquid from the manufacturer.

 

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b945ac6f-796e-41ef-85e9-61007e4a4e9a

Yea, I tried it and feel awful today so I’m not feeling confident about the LDMT. I’m thinking I should stick to cutting by 1/4 and holding until ready to make another cut. I might ask my doctor for the liquid but I doubt he’ll say yes to that.

How do you know for sure that you are getting the exact concentration of the drug?

How do you feel after taking 18ml? Same as when you were taking 0.18mg pill? If you were stable on 0.18mg pill, are you stable on 0.18ml solution?

 

...there was more on the bottom after I took out the 18 mls.

Those may be binders and fillers in the pill. I see them in my solution as well, and I just keep pulling my dosage as needed.

 

I’m worried that the strength will vary a lot daily by more than it should.

I swirl/shake the solution around and then pull from the middle. I was worried about wild swings, but it was surprisingly smooth.

 

The most important thing is how you feel. Can you stabilize on the solution (for a few days) and then start your micro-taper? Note that when you do micro-taper, you may feel a few things, and that is part of the process. Listen to your body and your symptoms, and let them guide you.

When I took the 18ml I felt like I did when I took half the pill instead of 3/4 of the pill. Just felt off and irritable and more anxious. I felt like I stabilized on 3/4 of the pill and had been holding at that dose. I figured it was because I might have taken much less, but when I split the pill myself I’m sure it’s not completely accurate either. I’m just not sure the liquid titration is going to work for me and wonder if I should try to go down by 1/4 again to 0.125 and maybe try liquid titration from there.

When I took the 18ml I felt like I did when I took half the pill instead of 3/4 of the pill.

That means 18ml made you feel like you took 0.125mg? By this math, 27ml will equate 0.1875mg. If you are are comfortable, you could look at increasing your solution dosage to see if this gives you better stability.

 

Some folks taper with pills, some do liquid, some do a mix. It just depends on one's comfort level.

No I just meant that taking the 18mls made me feel like I did when I took .125 mg, in the past I got down to .125mg by cutting the 0.25 in half. But technically I took 3/4 of the 0.25mg pill or 182mg, or 18mls from the solution you recommended using the 0.25mg pills. Im just worried that the concentration will fluctuate too much and I’ll feel worse than cutting the pill.

Im just worried that the concentration will fluctuate too much and I’ll feel worse than cutting the pill.

It should not fluctuate too much if the pill is well dissolved and you have shaken/swirled it around.

 

Could you try increasing your ml dosage to see how you feel? For e.g. if you take 25ml solution, do you feel stable?