Tapering non-fixed dose of Oxazepam after 1,5 years of use?

[[wo...]]

Hi,

 

I'm looking to quit Oxazepam, which I have been on for the past 1,5 years, by tapering it out. I have been on the same dose from the start, which is 10 mg when needed, with a maximum total of 30 mg (3 pills) per day.

 

Since I'm prescribed it on an "as needed" basis, the amount of Oxazepam I take varies from day to day. The only "fixed" point in my medication is that I can only take a maximum of three pills (á 10 mg) a day.

Some days my anxiety is low enough that I only need to take one; other days it's two, or three. I have never felt the need or urge to take more than this.

 

This brings me to the question of how to start tapering out the medication? What dose do i start on? Also, I'm curious as to whether 3 x 10 mg a day is considered a high dose in the first place?

 

Two months ago I quit Zopiclone (7.5 mg nightly) without any trouble, and prior to being prescribed Oxazepam I took Clonazepam 3 x 0.5 mg a day for 1,5 years. Switching to Oxazepam was seamless and I didn't experience any discomfort.

 

Of course I'm going to talk to my psychiatrist about tapering out the Oxazepam, but I wanted to see if anyone on here had any advice or experience of quitting this substance, or with tapering out a "non-fixed" dose of benzos.

 

Thanks in advance!

[[ly...]]

 

 

I'd probably go to the lowest dose that does not produce excessive withdrawal.  I'm not familiar with what med that is or what the duration of action is.  I might try 10mgs and see(?).  If wd comes on then I might try adding 5mgs and see how that goes.  The goal is to avoid taking more than is needed while at the same time taking enough to prevent too much wd.

[Guest [ou...]]

Since I'm prescribed it on an "as needed" basis, the amount of Oxazepam I take varies from day to day. The only "fixed" point in my medication is that I can only take a maximum of three pills (á 10 mg) a day.

Some days my anxiety is low enough that I only need to take one; other days it's two, or three.

 

This brings me to the question of how to start tapering out the medication? What dose do i start on? Also, I'm curious as to whether 3 x 10 mg a day is considered a high dose in the first place?

 

Based on Ashton's equivalencies, oxazepam 30mg/day would fall into the 'therapeutic' range.

I agree with lynn33 that:

 

The goal is to avoid taking more than is needed while at the same time taking enough to prevent too much wd.

 

but I disagree on her approach.

It could be safer to start higher and go lower as needed;

that way you don't get to experience any unnecessary withdrawal.

 

That said, I wouldn't try 30mg either.

Since 10mg is your min and 30mg is your max, I'd probably go with the average of ~20mg.

Also, with oxazepam being short-acting, I'd probably go with a 2-3 times daily regimen.

 

Regards.