Posted by alan on April 24, 2002, at 0:51:51
In reply to Re: for how long is it safe to take Xanax?, posted by tex1 on April 23, 2002, at 11:00:44
> > Any long term Xanax users?
> > What is your experience?
> > My father (75 years old) has started taking
> > 3 x 0.25 mg of xanax per day to reduce anxiety, which is probably a long term one.
> > Any alternatives for long term use?
> > Thanks in advance
>
> Ohh Gee...noo....Xanax is great because it's not sedative, but God...he'll develope a tolerance after few weeks (even sooner). It's not about safety, it's about tolerance....! I'd suggest a long life benzo, such as Klonopin, in small dosages or prazepam. Believe me, benzos are good if taken just as a cashè when you have a headache, but not taken continously. In this case why not trying buspirone (a new class of non addictive anxiolitics) ?
>
> Best luck
>
> Tex
**********************************************
Simply and utterly not true. Please read:http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
BZD'S are not prone to different degrees of "addictiveness" (medical dependence) because of the differences in their half-life. Myth.
The starting dose is just that - a starting dose. One may have to go upwards to acheive a theraputic dose. Initial start up dose will be more sedating during the first two weeks so don't confuse the sedation eventually wearing off with the theraputic, anxiolytic effect wearing off.
Do watch for unsteadyness in an older person though - a constant concern with ANY central nervous system depressant for that age group.
Chronic anxiety = constant long term anxiolytic therapy, especially if it is proving to be working. The World Health Organisation has reviewed ALL of the 40+ years of studies and has concluded that they are eminently safe for both short AND long term monotherapy.
Alan
poster:alan
thread:103881
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020416/msgs/103969.html