When it comes to treating Xanax withdrawal, it’s recommended that you go inpatient. It is safer since you have medical supervision around the clock. It is never advisable to quit or reduce one’s dosage alone as this can lead to fatal consequences later on. Your doctor can give you several medicines to treat the physical and mental side effects from withdrawing from the drug.
Apart from a treatment that involves medications, withdrawal can be completed effectively once coupled with a healthy lifestyle and a set of therapies necessary to cope with the mental health disorders that sprout from the process of getting rid of the substance in the body. There is also a wide variety of options for this kind of treatment.
Medicines That Can Be Prescribed During Withdrawal
Prescribed medicines vary from one person to another since every individual can experience different kinds of withdrawal symptoms. The length of treating the withdrawal symptoms is different for every individual. The doctor needs to look into the medical history and physical condition of the patient to gauge treatment duration. The following are the medicines that can be taken during withdrawal.
Prescribed Medicines For Detox Treatment
The following are the medicines that can be prescribed to get rid of Xanax in the body and experience manageable withdrawal symptoms. Keep in mind that some patients may respond effectively to medications in a couple of weeks while others may take several months. It is best to strictly follow the taper schedule designed by one’s doctor at all costs.
Long-acting Benzodiazepine
Xanax is a potent drug that is definitely not recommended for long-term use. As soon as an effective level of Xanax treatment is reached by the patient, the physician can now recommend beginning a taper schedule so that physical dependence and addiction can be prevented.
In some cases, there is a need for doctors to prescribe long-acting benzodiazepines such as Valium or Diazepam to substitute the short-acting effect of Xanax. With this, the body is deceived that the drug is still in the system while it is already being slowly removed in the body.
After all traces of Xanax is flushed out from your system, you need to use diazepam or valium for tapering. This can be easier since it is a long-acting substance whose symptoms can appear longer than the short-acting substance. Xanax may pose withdrawal symptoms between 8 and 12 hours after the last dose while Valium or Diazepam may take weeks.
Benzodiazepine Receptor Antagonist
An alternative antagonist for benzodiazepine is Flumazenil. This substance is also a potent medicine for Xanax detoxification. This substance has been recorded to help a patient recover from Xanax disorder and withdrawal effects.
Flumazenil is administered as an injection or nasal administration. This was given to the patient when all other medicines failed to work. Despite achieving the desired outcome for this case, this is only a limited study that shows its efficacy. More research must still be conducted to prove its safety and effectiveness in treating withdrawal symptoms of Xanax.
Prescribed Medicines For Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe physical and psychological symptoms. While tapering off Xanax dosage, other medications can be taken to treat the withdrawal symptoms. The following can be safely taken with Xanax as long as they are prescribed by the patient’s physician.
Antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Fluoxetine and Paroxetine are antidepressants that can be used to treat depression which most likely manifests during withdrawal. SSRIs are still prescribed to patients for removing Xanax in the body. This is done by many doctors even though there are some records saying it’s not that effective.
Depression is one of the most serious psychological withdrawal symptoms of Xanax. Depression is one dangerous side effect from withdrawal. It can trigger a person to have suicidal thoughts, so counseling must be given immediately. It is best to discuss this state with one’s physician so that apart from medicines, therapies and counseling can be recommended too.
Anticonvulsants
Anticonvulsants are prescribed to people who suffer from seizures, the most serious and fatal physical symptom that can happen to a patient under Xanax withdrawal. Usually, when it comes to people who experienced several episodes of seizures, anticonvulsants are given during the detox phase.
You will feel this side effect when you suddenly quit from taking Xanax, especially on high doses. Inpatient treatment is needed for cases involving Xanax addiction so that fatal conditions can be prevented.
Beta-blockers
Some patients may experience tremors upon withdrawal and for this case, beta-blockers can be prescribed by the physician. Beta-blockers usually work by allowing the bloodstream to flow in a more relaxed manner. These drugs are also used to treat high blood pressure and manage the rhythm of the heart.
Clonidine, although not classified as a beta-blocker, can work similarly as one by preventing hypertension among individuals who are at the phase of withdrawal. This must be given as a prescription medicine by the physician. Prescription is carefully evaluated since the interaction of the drug with Xanax can pose side effects especially among the elderly
Over-the-counter Medicines
Physical symptoms of withdrawal may include headache, nausea, and diarrhea and these can be treated with over-the-counter drugs. Despite this, it is important to keep one’s physician informed of any response the body gives as soon as tapering off begins. Usually, symptoms occur each time a dose is decreased.
By being in constant communication with one’s physician, detox treatment is guaranteed safe. Some patients who experience severe withdrawal symptoms are even advised for inpatient care although some can endure an outpatient treatment and this is usually among patients who experience mild symptoms only.
Inpatient detox plan is still effective, yet it becomes more effective when paired with counseling. The latter reinforces the positive behavior of the patient in overcoming addiction and avoiding a relapse. This can also be effective in preventing cases of relapse while on withdrawal. It is important to work with professional healthcare providers once determined to quit Xanax.