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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted1962 on March 21, 2003, at 23:29:50
Xanax XR was approved by the FDA in January. Has anyone been able to get an Rx for it, and or has the Company(Pharmacia) made it available to the Pharmacies yet?
Thanks for any info...Ted
Posted by utopizen on March 21, 2003, at 23:38:15
In reply to Xanax XR, posted by Ted1962 on March 21, 2003, at 23:29:50
> Xanax XR was approved by the FDA in January. Has anyone been able to get an Rx for it, and or has the Company(Pharmacia) made it available to the Pharmacies yet?
>
> Thanks for any info...TedSort of wondered about why Xanax never came in an XR before. Clever, maybe the drug reps will finally tout a benzo.
But what's the point, Klonopin lasts all day. Sure, people here take it 3x/day, but everyone knows it lasts all day...
Posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 0:09:01
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by utopizen on March 21, 2003, at 23:38:15
K does last all day (about 12 hrs for me) but when you're starting it, it can be helpful to divide the doses, to reduce initial sleepiness etc. (at least in my experience).
I was first prescribed it in one dose, before bed. This wore off by about the middle of the next day, so then I tried 4 divided doses per day for a short while. I told my pdoc this, and he said oh yeah, that's the "California method". Apparently, on the west coast they favor small doses of K throughout the day, and in the east they prefer it all at once.
Anyway, I soon found a single 1 mg dose in the AM was fine, and the side effects disappeared very quickly.
I haven't tried Xanax XR, and probably won't bother. What I like most about Xanax is that it comes on fast and provides extra anxiety relief in tense situations. I don't think I'd want a slow-release form, although it could be great for some people (especially if Klonopin doesn't agree with them). Xanax is a great anxiolytic and much-maligned, so anything that makes it more mainstream and accessible sounds good to me.
Posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 0:14:25
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by utopizen on March 21, 2003, at 23:38:15
> > Xanax XR was approved by the FDA in January. Has anyone been able to get an Rx for it, and or has the Company(Pharmacia) made it available to the Pharmacies yet?
> >
> > Thanks for any info...Ted
>
> Sort of wondered about why Xanax never came in an XR before. Clever, maybe the drug reps will finally tout a benzo.
>
> But what's the point, Klonopin lasts all day. Sure, people here take it 3x/day, but everyone knows it lasts all day...
> The point is that Xanax and clonazepam are 2 different meds! The fact that people take clonazepam 3xs a day is not the issue here. Xanax can work much better for people who have mixed anxiety and depression. Klonopin is more likely to potentiate the depression. Some people just do much better on Xanax than on other meds, as well. The fact that an XR has been approved, offers these patients smoother control of their anxiety during a 24 hour period, than the immediate release Xanax. Smoother control, minimal rebound anxiety etc. equates to better patient relief and a better clinical outcome. FYI the FDA is probably more to blame for there not being an Xr version of xanax approved up until now, than Pharmacia Upjohn, the developer of the med.
Posted by jerrympls on March 22, 2003, at 1:32:46
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 0:14:25
I have asked my doc to switch me from Ativan to Xanax XR. I've always noticed Xanax helps my depression - even if it's a little boost. He hasn't responded yet - but I'm hopefull.
I'll keep you updated.
Posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 1:58:38
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by jerrympls on March 22, 2003, at 1:32:46
There's good evidence that Xanax can act as an AD. I usually feel more upbeat the day after taking it. Klonopin also has AD effects for me, but others find it can cause depression. Benzos do appear to affect levels of various brain neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, and Xanax seems to be the most likely to help with depression.
Posted by utopizen on March 22, 2003, at 12:46:04
In reply to Re: Xanax XR » jerrympls, posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 1:58:38
The inventor of Valium doesn't take it because he says it makes him depressed...
Posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 17:36:52
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by utopizen on March 22, 2003, at 12:46:04
> The inventor of Valium doesn't take it because he says it makes him depressed...
> The "inventor of valium from Roche" one would wonder, would even need valium, what with all of the kickers and royalties he got. It is well known about Valium being misprescribed for people with Primary Depression, and causing problems. I would like to see that quote in print. Once again though, does anyone know if Pharmacia has released Xanax XR for dispensing?
Posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 19:05:31
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 17:36:52
I came across the following info on a drug industry website:
"The FDA has approved an extended-release formulation of Pharmacia’s Xanax (alprazolam). Xanax XR tablets, which will be available in 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg strengths, will be indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. The company expects to have the new formulation available by the second quarter of 2003. For more information call 800-323-4204."
BTW, I don't like Valium -- it makes me feel drugged-out and tired. But Xanax and Klonopin work very well for me.
Posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 21:56:24
In reply to Re: Xanax XR » Ted1962, posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 19:05:31
> I came across the following info on a drug industry website:
>
> "The FDA has approved an extended-release formulation of Pharmacia’s Xanax (alprazolam). Xanax XR tablets, which will be available in 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg strengths, will be indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. The company expects to have the new formulation available by the second quarter of 2003. For more information call 800-323-4204."
>
> BTW, I don't like Valium -- it makes me feel drugged-out and tired. But Xanax and Klonopin work very well for me.
>Thanks for the info. Pharmacia, the maker is being bought out by Pfizer, so I hope Pfizer decides to market Xanax XR
Posted by utopizen on March 22, 2003, at 23:56:02
In reply to Re: Xanax XR, posted by Ted1962 on March 22, 2003, at 17:36:52
> > The inventor of Valium doesn't take it because he says it makes him depressed...
> > The "inventor of valium from Roche" one would wonder, would even need valium, what with all of the kickers and royalties he got.
>>Actually, he got a pretty slim deal on it, some sort of annual payout that was rather modest. Nothing to buy a house over.
Posted by Ted1962 on March 23, 2003, at 17:58:05
In reply to Re: Xanax XR » Ted1962, posted by Viridis on March 22, 2003, at 19:05:31
> I came across the following info on a drug industry website:
>
> "The FDA has approved an extended-release formulation of Pharmacia’s Xanax (alprazolam). Xanax XR tablets, which will be available in 0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, and 3mg strengths, will be indicated for the treatment of panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia. The company expects to have the new formulation available by the second quarter of 2003. For more information call 800-323-4204."
>
> BTW, I don't like Valium -- it makes me feel drugged-out and tired. But Xanax and Klonopin work very well for me.
> I noticed on a previous post, Viridis, I believe, you mentioned that you were on both Xanax and Klonopin together each day, along with a couple of other meds. How are the two being dosed for you each day. I have heard of some Pdocs using both together, supplementing the Xanax with a little clonazepam in order to smooth out the therapeutic effect of the xanax during the day.
Posted by missliz on March 23, 2003, at 22:29:38
In reply to Re: Xanax and Klonopin together » Viridis, posted by Ted1962 on March 23, 2003, at 17:58:05
Guess what- every different benzo is effectivly a completeley different drug, so Klonopin and Xanax are by no means interchangeable. Not to mention that Klonopin does really bizarre things to some people, including me. Bad, bad experience. I've tried all the benzos, and they're all very different in their effects. I do 3 mgs of Xanax a day with 5 mgs of Valium at night, too much drug but better than being sick. My ex pdoc was a big candyman type, liked to overmedicate.Trileptal helps my anxiety, and as that dose rises hope the benzos can come down.
Also, I'm not surprised that the guy who invented Valium doesn't care for Xanax. A guy who can do major research for a big pharm house probably doesn't have crippling anxiety disorder, and that's what Xanax fixes. Taking heart medicine its uncomfortable for people without heart disease, and taking insulin screws up people without diabetes. Think it through.
I want Xanax XR too, and can't get it. My pdoc keeps seeing ads for it, and is also trying to see what the deal is. I'd think there'd be a big demand for it, I hate when I forget meds and the Xanax wears off suddenly.missliz
This is the end of the thread.
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