Stopping a benzodiazepine safely, not abruptly
A benzodiazepine should not be stopped abruptly - it should be tapered to avoid dangerous withdrawal.
Across de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, we found this step was missed about 33% of the time it should have happened.
This page is here to help you know what to ask about. It is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to a doctor who knows you.
Questions to ask your doctor
Copy a line and ask it at your next visit. These are questions to start a conversation, not instructions to change your treatment.
- If we ever stop my benzodiazepine, can we taper it slowly rather than stopping suddenly?
- What withdrawal symptoms should I watch for?
This page is information, not medical advice. It describes care patterns across many people and can't speak to your own situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.
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