Posted by Elizabeth on June 9, 2001, at 22:36:47
In reply to Re: Happen to be lurking around, Cam? » gheld, posted by Cam W. on June 9, 2001, at 10:33:50
> Gordon - Yes, I have heard of several suicide deaths from from overdoses of benzodiazepines mixed with alcohol, resulting in respiratory depression.
When I was in the hospital recently (comatose), the initial dx was benzo overdose (wrong, BTW). I was breathing irregularly and had lung damage and low pulse oxidation.
> Also, more people have died from taking taking overdoses of benzodiazepines alone (granted, it is rare), while people who have taken massive overdoses of SSRIs alone have recovered without any problems.
True, but it's still a very small risk with either one. Mixing alcohol is the big problem with benzos in depressed patients, which is why I think that Klonopin and the low-potency benzos should be avoided.
> As to considering the side effects profiles, the top ten side effects listed for any SSRI usually describe the start of side effets of these drugs, and disappear within 2 weeks in a vast majority of people.
Not the sexual dysfunction and apathy. Those are long-term side effects. Benzos are really better tolerated in anxiety patients without depression and probably are useful (with an AD) in patients with both.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:65576
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65975.html