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Some patients may need to taper benzodiazepines very slowly to
manage withdrawal symptoms.
Here are some tapering strategies that may help if you need a
slower taper:
Hyperbolic Tapering
Hyperbolic tapering is a strategy
where dose reductions are
smaller and smaller over time.
Each dose reduction is based on
the previous dose, not on the
dose at the start of the taper.
Micro-Tapering
Micro-tapering requires
very small reductions in the
benzodiazepine dose daily or
nearly every day. Typically, these
reductions add up to a 5% to 10%
(or less) total reduction in dosage
over the course of a month.
Liquid Tapering and
Compounding Pharmacies
Some benzodiazepines have
liquid formulations that allow
for more flexible dosing.
Compounding pharmacies can
also develop custom dosage
tablets or liquids. These options
cost more, and not all patients
will have access to them.
Measuring liquid doses can be
challenging for some.
FIGURE 3. TIPS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING
TAPERING CHALLENGES