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CHAPTER II (Part 2)

SLOW WITHDRAWAL SCHEDULES

 

SLOW WITHDRAWAL SCHEDULES

A variety of withdrawal schedules from several benzodiazepines are illustrated below. Schedules such as these have worked on real people, but you may need to adapt them for your own needs. Reference to Table 1, Chapter I, which shows the equivalent strengths of different benzodiazepines, should enable you to work out your own programme and to devise an appropriate schedule for benzodiazepines such as prazepam (Centrax) and quazepam (Doral) and others which are not illustrated.

In my experience, the only exception to the general rule of slow reduction is triazolam (Halcion). This benzodiazepine is eliminated so quickly (half-life 2 hours) that you are practically withdrawn each day, after a dose the night before. For this reason, triazolam can be stopped abruptly without substitution of a long-acting benzodiazepine. If withdrawal symptoms occur, you could take a short course of diazepam starting at about 10mg, decreasing the dosage as shown on Schedule 2. The same approach applies to the non-benzodiazepines zolpidem and zaleplon which both have half-lives of 2 hours.


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SCHEDULE 1

Withdrawal from high dose (6mg) alprazolam (Xanax daily with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(6mg alprazolam is approximately equivalent to 120mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday/Afternoon
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 2mg
120mg
Stage 1
(one week)
alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 1.5mg
diazepam 10mg
120mg
Stage 2
(one week)
alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
120mg
Stage 3
(one week)
alprazolam 1.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
120mg
Stage 4
(one week)
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 2mg alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
120mg
Stage 5
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
110mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 20mg
100mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
Stop alprazolam
diazepam 20mg
90mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
80mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 20mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
80mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 20mg
Stop alprazolam
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
60mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
Stop alprazolam
diazepam 20mg
diazepam 10mg diazepam 20mg
50mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 25mg Stop midday dose;
divert 5mg each
to morning and
night doses
diazepam 25mg
50mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 20mg
--
diazepam 25mg
45mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 20mg
--
diazepam 20mg
40mg

 

Continue as on Schedule 2, reducing from diazepam 40mg

Schedule 1 Notes:

  1. There is no actual withdrawal (only diazepam substitution) in Stages 1-4, so these could be undertaken at weekly intervals (but you could take 2 weeks for each stage if preferred).

  2. The evening dose of diazepam could be taken at bed-time, rather than with the alprazolam if that is usually taken earlier. (Do not take any other sleeping tablet).

  3. Some dosage reduction occurs in later stages of the diazepam switchover (Stages 5-11), so these stages could be undertaken at two week intervals. Even at reducing doses, the diazepam should cover withdrawal from alprazolam, because by this time it has had time to work through the body and will be acting smoothly both day and night. The aim is to obtain a dose of diazepam which avoids withdrawal symptoms but is not so great as to make you sleepy.

  4. At Stage 12 it would be sensible to move to twice daily dosage. Diazepam is long-acting and there is no need to take it more than twice a day. There is no reduction in dosage while you make this change (Stages 11 and 12).


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SCHEDULE 2

Simple withdrawal from diazepam (Valium) 40mg daily

(follow this schedule to complete Schedule 1)

 
Morning
Night
Total
Daily Dosage
Starting dosage diazepam 20mg diazepam 20mg
40mg
Stage 1 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 18mg diazepam 20mg
38mg
Stage 2 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 18mg diazepam 18mg
36mg
Stage 3 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 16mg diazepam 18mg
34mg
Stage 4 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 16mg diazepam 16mg
32mg
Stage 5 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 14mg diazepam 16mg
30mg
Stage 6 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 14mg diazepam 14mg
28mg
Stage 7 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 12mg diazepam 14mg
26mg
Stage 8 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 12mg diazepam 12mg
24mg
Stage 9 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg diazepam 12mg
22mg
Stage 10 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 11 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg diazepam 10mg
18mg
Stage 12 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg diazepam 8mg
16mg
Stage 13 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 6mg diazepam 8mg
14mg
Stage 14 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 5mg diazepam 8mg
13mg
Stage 15 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 4mg diazepam 8mg
12mg
Stage 16 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 3mg diazepam 8mg
11mg
Stage 17 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 2mg diazepam 8mg
10mg
Stage 18 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 1mg diazepam 8mg
9mg
Stage 19 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 8mg
8mg
Stage 20 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 7mg
7mg
Stage 21 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 6mg
6mg
Stage 22 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 5mg
5mg
Stage 23 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 4mg
4mg
Stage 24 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 3mg
3mg
Stage 25 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 2mg
2mg
Stage 26 (1-2 weeks)
--
diazepam 1mg
1mg

 

Schedule 2 Notes:

  1. You could probably manage Stages 1-5 (or even Stages 1-10) in weekly intervals (but take 2 weeks between stages if you prefer).

  2. The later stages are probably better taken in 2 week intervals.

  3. When you get down to a dose of 5mg daily, you could begin to decrease in 0.5mg doses, but most people manage with 1mg reductions.

  4. You will need to utilise a mixture of 10mg, 5mg, and 2mg diazepam tablets to obtain the required dosages. Halve the (scored) 2mg tablet to obtain 1mg doses.

  5. If your starting dose is 20mg diazepam daily, you could begin at Stage 10, but in this case you could reduce by 1mg every 2 weeks.

  6. If starting from Schedule 1 (alprazolam 6mg daily) continue your reduction using this schedule.


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SCHEDULE 3

Withdrawal from lorazepam (Ativan) 6mg daily with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(6mg lorazepam is approximately equivalent to 60mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday/Afternoon
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 2mg
60mg
Stage 1
(one week)
lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
60mg
Stage 2
(one week)
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 10mg
60mg
Stage 3
(one week)
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 2mg lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 15mg
60mg
Stage 4
(one week)
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 15mg
60mg
Stage 5
(1-2 weeks)
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
Stop lorazepam
diazepam 20mg
60mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1.5mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
55mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
50mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
45mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
40mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
Stop lorazepam
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
35mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg Stop lorazepam
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 20mg
30mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 18mg
28mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 16mg
26mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 14mg
24mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 12mg
22mg
Stage 16
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 17
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg
19mg
Stage 18
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 4mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg
18mg
Stage 19
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 4mg diazepam 3mg diazepam 10mg
17mg
Stage 20
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 3mg diazepam 3mg diazepam 10mg
16mg
Stage 21
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 3mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
15mg
Stage 22
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 2mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
14mg
Stage 23
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 2mg diazepam 1mg diazepam 10mg
13mg
Stage 24
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 1mg diazepam 1mg diazepam 10mg
12mg
Stage 25
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 1mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg
11mg
Stage 26
(1-2 weeks)
Stop diazepam
--
diazepam 10mg
10mg
Stage 27
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 9mg
9mg
Stage 28
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 8mg
8mg
Stage 29
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 7mg
7mg
Stage 30
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 6mg
6mg
Stage 31
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 5mg
5mg
Stage 32
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 4mg
4mg
Stage 33
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 3mg
3mg
Stage 34
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 2mg
2mg
Stage 35
(1-2 weeks)
--
--
diazepam 1mg
1mg
Stage 36
--
--
Stop diazepam
--

 

Schedule 3 Notes:

  1. There is no actual withdrawal (only diazepam substitution) in Stages 1-5, so these could be undertaken at weekly intervals (but you could take 2 weeks if preferred).

  2. The evening dose of diazepam could be taken at bed-time, rather than with the lorazepam if that is usually taken earlier. (Do not take any other sleeping tablet).

  3. Some dosage reduction occurs during the later stages of the diazepam switchover (Stages 6-11), so these stages could be undertaken at two week intervals. Even at reducing doses, the diazepam should cover withdrawal from lorazepam, because by this time it has had time to work through the body and will be acting smoothly both day and night. The aim is to obtain a dose of diazepam which avoids withdrawal symptoms but is not so great as to make you sleepy.

  4. Day-time doses of diazepam are gradually phased out (Stages 17-25); in succeeding stages you only need to phase out the night-time dose by 1mg every week or two.

  5. A mixture of 10mg, 5mg and 2mg diazepam tablets will be needed to obtain the required doses. Halve the (scored) 2mg tablets to obtain 1mg doses.


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SCHEDULE 4

Withdrawal from nitrazepam (Mogadon) 10mg at night with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(Nitrazepam is approximately the same strength as diazepam)

 
Bed-time dose
Starting dosage nitrazepam 10mg
Stage 1 (1 week) nitrazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg
Stage 2 (1 week) Stop nitrazepam
diazepam 10mg
Stage 3 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 9mg
Stage 4 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg
Stage 5 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 7mg
Stage 6 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 6mg
Stage 7 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 5mg
Stage 8 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 4mg
Stage 9 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 3mg
Stage 10 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 2mg
Stage 11 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 1mg
Stage 12 Stop diazepam

 

Schedule 4 Notes:

  • If you are taking more than 10mg nitrazepam, replace each 5mg nitrazepam, one at a time, with 5mg diazepam, then reduce the diazepam in 1mg or 2mg stages.


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SCHEDULE 5

Withdrawal from clonazepam (Klonopin) 1.5mg daily with substitution of diazepam (Valium)

(0.5mg clonazepam is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday/Afternoon
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg
30mg
Stage 1
(1 week)
clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 2
(1 week)
clonazepam 0.5mg clonazepam 0.5mg Stop clonazepam
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 3
(1 week)
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
clonazepam 0.5mg diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 4
(1 week)
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 5
(1 week)
Stop clonazepam
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg Stop clonazepam
diazepam 8mg
diazepam 10mg
28mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 6mg diazepam 10mg
26mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg
24mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
22mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 8mg
--
diazepam 10mg
18mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 6mg
--
diazepam 10mg
16mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 4mg
--
diazepam 10mg
14mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 2mg
--
diazepam 10mg
12mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks)
Stop diazepam
--
diazepam 10mg
10mg
Continue reducing remaining diazepam by 1 mg every 2 weeks (see Schedule 3 Stage 26)

 


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SCHEDULE 6

Withdrawal from clonazepam (Klonopin) 3mg daily with substitution of diazepam (Valium)

(1 mg clonazepam is equivalent to 20mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday/Afternoon
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage clonazepam 1mg clonazepam 1mg clonazepam 1mg
60mg
Stage 1
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 1mg clonazepam 1mg clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
60mg
Stage 2
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 1mg clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
60mg
Stage 3
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
55mg
Stage 4
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
Stop clonazepam
diazepam 15mg
50mg
Stage 5
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 15mg
45mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 15mg
40mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
Stop clonazepam
diazepam 10mg
clonazepam 0.25mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 15mg
35mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg Stop clonazepam
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 15mg
30mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 2.5mg diazepam 15mg
27.5mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 12mg Stop diazepam diazepam 15mg
27mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg
--
diazepam 15mg
25mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg
--
diazepam 14mg
24mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg
--
diazepam 12mg
22mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg
--
diazepam 10mg
20mg
Continue from Schedule 5, Stage 10

 

Schedule 6 Notes:

  • The small reduction (27.5mg to 27mg) between Stages 9 and 10 is to allow you to adjust to twice daily dose.


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SCHEDULE 7

Withdrawal from alprazolam (Xanax) 4mg daily with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(4mg alprazolam is approximately equivalent to 80mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday
Afternoon
Evening
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 1mg
80mg
Stage 1
(1 week)
alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
80mg
Stage 2
(1 week)
alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
80mg
Stage 3
(1 week)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 1mg alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
80mg
Stage 4
(1 week)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
80mg
Stage 5
(1 week)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
80mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
75mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.5mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
70mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
65mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
Stop alprazolam
diazepam 10mg
alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
60mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
Stop alprazolam
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 10mg alprazolam 0.25mg
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
55mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 10mg
diazepam 10mg Stop alprazolam
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 20mg
50mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg diazepam 20mg
45mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg diazepam 20mg
40mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 20mg
35mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 15mg
30mg
Stage 16
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 12.5mg
27.5mg
Stage 17
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg
25mg
Stage 18
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
diazepam 2.5mg diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg
22.5mg
Stage 19
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 5mg
Stop diazepam diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 20
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 4mg
--
diazepam 5mg diazepam 10mg
19mg
Stage 21
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 4mg
--
diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg
18mg
Stage 22
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 4mg
--
diazepam 3mg diazepam 10mg
17mg
Stage 23
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 3mg
--
diazepam 3mg diazepam 10mg
16mg
Stage 24
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 3mg
--
diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
15mg
Stage 25
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 2mg
--
diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
14mg
Stage 26
(1-2 weeks)

diazepam 2mg
--
Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg
12mg
Stage 27
(1-2 weeks)
Stop diazepam
--
--
diazepam 10mg
10mg
Continue reducing diazepam by 1mg every 2 weeks (See Schedule 3, Stage 26)

 

Schedule 7 Notes:

  • The evening diazepam dose can be taken at bed-time, rather than with alprazolam if that is usually taken earlier.


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SCHEDULE 8

Withdrawal from lorazepam (Ativan) 3mg daily with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(3mg lorazepam is approximately equivalent to 30mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday/Afternoon
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage lorazepam 1 mg lorazepam 1 mg lorazepam 1 mg
30mg
Stage 1
(1 week)
lorazepam 1 mg lorazepam 1 mg lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 2
(1 week)
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 1 mg lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 3
(1 week)
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 4
(1 week)
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
Stop lorazepam
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 5
(1 week)
Stop lorazepam
diazepam 10mg
lorazepam 0.5mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 6
(1 week)
diazepam 10mg Stop lorazepam
diazepam 10mg
diazepam 10mg
30mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 8mg diazepam 10mg
28mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 8mg diazepam 8mg diazepam 10mg
26mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 8mg diazepam 6mg diazepam 10mg
24mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 6mg diazepam 6mg diazepam 10mg
22mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 6mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 6mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
18mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 6mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg
16mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 5mg
--
diazepam 10mg
15mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 4mg
--
diazepam 10mg
14mg
Stage 16
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 3mg
--
diazepam 10mg
13mg
Stage 17
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 2mg
--
diazepam 10mg
12mg
Stage 18
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 1mg
--
diazepam 10mg
11mg
Stage 19
(1-2 weeks)
Stop diazepam
--
diazepam 10mg
10mg
Continue reducing night time diazepam by 1 mg every 1-2 weeks (See Schedule 3, Stage 26)

 


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SCHEDULE 9

Withdrawal from temazepam (Restoril) 30mg nightly with diazepam substitution

(30mg temazepam is approximately equivalent to 15mg diazepam)

 
Night time
Equivalent diazepam dosage
Starting dosage temazepam 30mg
15mg
Stage 1 (1-2 weeks) temazepam 15mg
diazepam 7.5mg
15mg
Stage 2 (1-2 weeks) temazepam 7.5mg
diazepam 12mg
15.75mg
Stage 3 (1-2 weeks) Stop temazepam
diazepam 15mg
15mg
Stage 4 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 14mg
14mg
Stage 5 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 13mg
13mg
Stage 6 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 12mg
12mg
Stage 7 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 11mg
11mg
Stage 8 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 10mg
10mg
Stage 9 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 9mg
9mg
Stage 10 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg
8mg
Stage 11 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 7mg
7mg
Stage 12 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 6mg
6mg
Stage 13 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 5mg
5mg
Stage 14 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 4mg
4mg
Stage 15 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 3mg
3mg
Stage 16 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 2mg
2mg
Stage 17 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 1mg
1mg
Stage 18 Stop diazepam
--

 


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Schedule 10

Withdrawal from oxazepam (Serax) 20mg three times daily (60mg) with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(20mg oxazepam is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday
Evening/Night
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage oxazepam 20mg oxazepam 20mg oxazepam 20mg
30mg
Stage 1
(1 week)
oxazepam 20mg oxazepam 20mg oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 2
(1 week)
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
oxazepam 20mg oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 3
(1 week)
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
30mg
Stage 4
(1-2 weeks)
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
Stop oxazepam
diazepam 8mg
28mg
Stage 5
(1-2 weeks)
Stop oxazepam
diazepam 8mg
oxazepam 10mg
diazepam 5mg
diazepam 8mg
26mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 8mg Stop oxazepam
diazepam 8mg
diazepam 8mg
24mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg
22mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 10mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg
20mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
diazepam 8mg
--
diazepam 10mg
18mg
Continue as on Schedule 2 from Stage 12

 

Schedule 10 Notes:

  1. Oxazepam is short-acting (half-life 4-15 hrs) so substitution to diazepam (long-acting) is recommended.

  2. Diazepam need only be taken twice a day.

  3. A change from 5mg to 2mg diazepam tablets is necessary from Stage 4 onwards.


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SCHEDULE 11

Withdrawal from chlordiazepoxide (Librium) 25mg three times daily (75mg)

(25mg chlordiazepoxide is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam)

 
Morning
Midday
Evening/Night
Starting dosage chlordiazepoxide 25mg chlordiazepoxide 25mg chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 1
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 25mg chlordiazepoxide 20mg chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 2
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 20mg chlordiazepoxide 20mg chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 3
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 20mg chlordiazepoxide 20mg chlordiazepoxide 20mg
Stage 4
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 25mg chlordiazepoxide 5mg chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 5
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 25mg Stop chlordiazepoxide chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 6
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 20mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Stage 7
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 20mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 20mg
Stage 8
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 15mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 20mg
Stage 9
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 15mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 15mg
Stage 10
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 10mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 15mg
Stage 11
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 10mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 10mg
Stage 12
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 5mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 10mg
Stage 13
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide 5mg
--
chlordiazepoxide 5mg
Stage 14
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide
2.5mg (½ tablet)
--
chlordiazepoxide 5mg
Stage 15
(1-2 weeks)
chlordiazepoxide
2.5mg (½ tablet)
--
chlordiazepoxide
2.5mg (½ tablet)
Stage 16
(1-2 weeks)
Stop chlordiazepoxide
--
chlordiazepoxide
2.5mg (½ tablet)
Stage 17
--
--
Stop chlordiazepoxide

 

Schedule 11 Notes:

  1. Chlordiazepoxide is long-acting so there is no need to take it more frequently than twice a day (hence Stages 4 and 5).

  2. Because chlordiazepoxide is long-acting, there is no need for diazepam substitution.

  3. If you are taking chlordiazepoxide capsules, change to tablets which can be halved for stages 14 onwards.


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SCHEDULE 12

Withdrawal from zopiclone (Zimovane) 15mg with diazepam (Valium) substitution

(15mg zopiclone is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam)

 
Night time
Daily Diazepam
Equivalent
Starting dosage zopiclone 15mg
10mg
Stage 1
(1 week)
zopiclone 7.5mg
diazepam 5mg
10mg
Stage 2
(1 week)
Stop zopiclone
diazepam 10mg
10mg
Stage 3 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 9mg
9mg
Stage 4 (1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg
8mg
Then continue reducing diazepam by 1mg every 1-2 weeks as on Schedule 2

 

Schedule 12 Notes:

  1. It is possible to withdraw directly from zopiclone using the smallest available tablets (3.75mg), but this dose of zopiclone is equivalent to 2.5mg diazepam making for rather abrupt dosage reductions.

  2. This method can also be used for withdrawing from loprazolam and lormetazepam. 1mg of each of these is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam; their half-lives are 6-12 and 10-12 hrs respectively.


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SCHEDULE 13

Antidepressant Withdrawal Table

Drugs
Dosage strengths and formulations*
Tricyclics  
    amitriptyline (Tryptizol, Elavil) tabs 10, 25, 50mg; liquid 25mg/5ml
    amoxapine (Asendis) tabs 25, 50, 100mg
    clomipramine (Anafranil) caps 10, 25, 50mg; syrup 25mg/5ml
    dothiepin (Prothiaden) tabs 25, 75mg
    doxepin (Sinequan) caps 10, 25, 50, 75mg
    imipramine (Tofranil) tabs 10, 25mg syrup 25mg/5ml
    lofepramine (Gamanil) tabs 70mg; liquid 70mg/5ml
    nortriptyline (Allegron, Pamelor) tabs 10, 25mg
    protriptyline (Concordin, Vivactil) tabs 5, 10mg
    trimipramine (Surmontil) tabs 10, 25mg
Related antidepressants  
    maprotiline (Ludiomil) tabs 10, 25, 50, 75mg
    mianserin (Bolvidon, Norval) tabs 10, 30mg
    trazodone (Molipaxin, Desyrel) caps 50, 100mg; tabs 150mg; liquid 50mg/5ml
    viloxazine (Vivalan) tabs 50mg
MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)  
    phenelzine (Nardil) tabs 15mg
    moclobemide (Mannerix) tabs 150mg
    tranylcypromine (Parnate) tabs 10mg
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)  
    citalopram (Cipramil, Celexa) tabs 10, 20, 40mg; liquid 40mg/ml (drops)
    fluoxetine (Prozac) caps 20, 60mg; liquid 20mg/5ml
    fluvoxamine (Faverin, Luvox) tabs(s) 50, 100mg
    paroxetine (Seroxat, Paxil) tabs(s) 20, 30mg; liquid 20mg/5ml
    sertraline (Lustral, Zoloft) tabs 50, 100mg
    escitalopram (Cipralex, Lexapro) tabs 5, 10(s), 20mg(s)
Others  
    mirtazapine (Zispin, Remeron) tabs(s) 30mg
    nefazodone (Dutonin, Serzone) tabs(s) 100, 200mg
    reboxetine (Edronax, Vestra) tabs(s) 4mg
    venlafaxine (Efexor, Effexor) tabs 37.5, 75mg
* tabs: tablets, (s) scored; caps: capsules; 5ml = 1 teaspoon

 

Schedule 13 Notes:

Guidelines for benzodiazepine users who are also taking an antidepressant and wish to withdraw from both drugs

  1. Complete the benzodiazepine withdrawal before starting to taper the antidepressant.

  2. Allow at least 4 weeks after stopping benzodiazepines before starting on antidepressant withdrawal.

  3. Consult your doctor before starting to withdraw the antidepressant and agree on a tapering schedule.

  4. Antidepressant withdrawal must be gradual to avoid withdrawal effects.

    1. Make each dose reduction as small as possible, e.g. by halving the tablets or using a liquid preparation.

    2. If smaller doses are not available, reduce by taking a tablet every other day, then every third day, etc.

    3. Allow 1-2 weeks between each dosage reduction.

    4. If withdrawal symptoms are severe (Chapter 3, Table 2) increase the dosage slightly (e.g. to the dose at your last reduction). When symptoms have settled, resume withdrawal at a slower rate.

  5. With slow tapering, as outlined above, withdrawal symptoms from antidepressants are usually absent, or if they occur, are mild and short-lived.


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