Posted by mattw84 on May 12, 2005, at 10:53:11
In reply to Re: xanax,klonopin withdrawl with Phenobarb?HELP!, posted by Lizzyb on May 3, 2005, at 23:16:01
Lizzy,
This method is fairly "old-fashioned," the idea behind it is solid but rarely works in practice. The idea is to eliminate the withdrawal effects by substitution of a very similarly acting, but much more potent drug -- phenobarbital (Luminal). Problem is that phenobarbital only temporarily masks withdrawals from the benzo(s).
A much more sound plan is a *very* gradual taper as it would seem you are seeking. A crossover to diazepam is the most commonly accepted method for doing this, simply gradually replacing your current dose with the equipotent dose of diazepam gradually and then tapering from there. 10 mg diazepam twice daily would likely be a fairly equipotent dose to your current. Then expect to slowly taper down once you have gotten accustomed -- probably over a period of 3 or 4 months would be appropriate.
I am sorry you got subjected to the phenobarbital method. I have seen patients go through this only to come back after their two week supply runs out in a psuedo-epileptic state.
There are a number of other options, including a direct taper without crossing over to diazepam. Yet this is the method I would most highly recommend to minimize withdrawals. Best of luck.
Regards,
M.W.
poster:mattw84
thread:492861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/496849.html