Dose - Alprazolam and Duration

[panic82]

Swim recently switched from 1mg once daily of clonazepam (Klonopin) to 1mg 3x daily aprazolam (Xanax). Swim finds the aprazolam duration to last between 4-5 hours and feels that a 4th dose would be beneficial. Suggestions on whether aprazolam is most efficient 3x daily or 4x daily for GAD / panic disorder would be appreciated. Also, it would be helpful to know how long others find the duration of aprazolam to be. Lastly, what would be the conversion for a 4mg daily aprazolam dosage to its XR formulation, and how have others found aprazolam XR compared to IR aprazolam?

[returntozero]

has swiy ever considered taking the medication "as needed"?

why is it necessary to take this medication regularly?

[JaWill88]

Originally Posted by returntozero

has swiy ever considered taking the medication "as needed"?

why is it necessary to take this medication regularly?

? .. was it mentioned that it is not to be taken regularly? swipanic may be taking it as precribed and wondering about dosage change.

anyways swim found the duration of alrpazolam to be about 4 hours and 4x a day really helped but 3x day does the trick just not quite as comfortable. swim can't say he's taken alprazolam xr so he can't say anything on that. swim was prescribed clonazepam 3x a day and it has a long life but it was just for comfort. at one point he was on 6mg clonazepam 3x a day. 18mg a day total. swim REALLY suggests staying as low as possible with benzodiazepines. they really are not fun when it's time to come off. and they do lose effectiveness eventually. anxiety's a bitch. be safe. good luck.

Reputation Comments on this post:

very helpful post

[panic82]

Swim has been on long acting benzos for over two years so "as needed" for swim is 3-4x alprazolam 1mg daily. Thanks for the replies though. Swim finds the duration to last 4:30 - 5hrs and swim will only take a 4th dose as needed for early days / late nights. Alprazolam XR just doesn't seem as managable to swim, i.e. depending on when swim wakes up / goes to bed. However, anyone with alprazolam XR experience that would be kind enough to share their experience would be appreciated as alprazolam IR in the least to say is edgy.

[returntozero]

swim's anxiety disorder must be far less severe. swim usually takes a xanax when he feels like the anxiety is creeping up on him, but it is not a 24/7 thing for him

[Graduisic]

AFAIK, Xanax (Alprazolam) is prescribed for exactly what swireturntozero's anxiety issues are; for use as needed. However, there are some circumstances which a panic disorder is so severe that such a dosage may need to be prescribed.

SWIM has never tried the XR form, but is going to a psychiatrist to discuss what is the best way to manage the panic disorder. If SWIY believes that an extra dose would be beneficial to him, don't self-medicate or change the frequency of dose without first consulting with the physician which is prescribing the medication. Xanax is very addictive and, the questions asked by the original poster are better answered by a physician whom would have a background on your medical history.