In crisis, reach a person now.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself, or you feel in danger, contact emergency help right away. Because these medications are long-acting, withdrawal can be delayed, never assume you’re “past the danger.”
Outside the US, call your local emergency number, or find a line at findahelpline.com.
Red flags, when to get help
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) now. Seizures are the central danger of reducing too fast or stopping abruptly.
Call or text 988 (US Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or emergency services now. You deserve immediate support, don’t stay alone.
Seek emergency care immediately.
Contact your prescriber or urgent care promptly.
Contact your prescriber, you may need to hold or slow your taper.
Never do this
- Never stop your medication abruptly, taper gradually with your prescriber.
- Never speed up your taper while you feel destabilized, hold instead.
- Never combine your taper with alcohol or other sedatives without medical guidance.
Substances to avoid (or clear with your prescriber)
Cross-tolerant with benzodiazepines; destabilizes the taper and is dangerous to mix.
GABAergic and carries liver-toxicity risk, generally advised against during a taper.
Additive sedation that can mask or compound taper symptoms.
Inhibits CYP3A4 and can raise some benzodiazepine levels.
A CYP3A4 inducer that can unpredictably lower drug levels; also serotonergic.
Stacking CNS depressants raises sedation and breathing risk.
If you ever have a seizure, think about harming yourself, or feel in danger, call your local emergency number right away. Because these medications are long-acting, withdrawal can be delayed, don’t assume you’re “past the danger.” Never stop abruptly.
Subside is an educational companion, not a doctor or emergency service. This page is general information, not medical advice.