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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Aldus Huxley on September 24, 2005, at 14:14:59
I have read some of the posts previously discussing these two benzodiazapines, but I have a few questions to any who may have had similar experiences as me.
Recently, I asked my pdoc to switch from alprazolam/Xanax ("X") to diazapam/Valium ("V") as I felt that when I took X for anxiety (usually .5mg), it wasn't very effective. Further, if I took 1mg, I would then get sleepy.
Now on V, I find that it is a much better choice for me as an anxyolitic, now however--as a sedative--it is much LESS effective. if I take 10mg of V for insomnia (where I used to take 1-1.5mg of X), I still have difficulty sleeping.
Anybody else notice this?
Also: Question to pdocs or other self-proclaimed omniscients: Why is valium as (or more) "addictive" than Xanax? I would think that since V has a 90-100h half-life, the withdrawal would be much less difficult than X (which has a half life of around 15-20h, if memory serves). I think by the time the valium and its active metabolites were excreted, your brain's down-regulation of its GABA receptors (please forgive me, I am guessing here) would be already be starting to revert to a normal state.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 15:47:40
In reply to Valium and Xanax comparison and other questions..., posted by Aldus Huxley on September 24, 2005, at 14:14:59
Valium is less addictive than xanax. Because of the long half-life they use valium to detox from xanax. I was in a detox center and valium is what they used. And they started at a very high dose and decresed it daily. The long half-life takes over for the short half-life of xanax. So someone can leave on only 5mg. When they came into detox they might have started on 60mg of valium and this detox occurred over a few days. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ButterflyHigh on September 24, 2005, at 20:44:26
In reply to Valium and Xanax comparison and other questions..., posted by Aldus Huxley on September 24, 2005, at 14:14:59
>>I think by the time the valium and its active metabolites were excreted, your brain's down-regulation of its GABA receptors (please forgive me, I am guessing here) would be already be starting to revert to a normal state.
I agree. Even after one comes down off of Xanax, the half life is so strong that the withdrawals are worse, and last longer than your example of Valium, aka 'pre Ativan'. Imho, though, I do believe that Valium is more sedating, when I was taking 8 - 10mg of Xanax a day, I was on legal speed, it did that to me.
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on September 24, 2005, at 23:13:14
In reply to Valium and Xanax comparison and other questions..., posted by Aldus Huxley on September 24, 2005, at 14:14:59
unfortunately, xanax and valium are among the meds that have a terrible reputation because they were often abused by people who only used them for recreational purposes.
i have taken klonopin for eight years and am taking less now than i did in 1997. it has been a wonder drug and for my friends who take it for MEDICINAL purposes
Posted by Kon on September 24, 2005, at 23:30:59
In reply to Valium and Xanax comparison and other questions..., posted by Aldus Huxley on September 24, 2005, at 14:14:59
> Also: Question to pdocs or other self-proclaimed omniscients: Why is valium as (or more) "addictive" than Xanax? I would think that since V has a 90-100h half-life, the withdrawal would be much less difficult than X (which has a half life of around 15-20h, if memory serves).
Although valium has a long half-life because of active metabolites, it has a very rapid onset (faster than xanax); consequently, some believe it may be abused because of its more immediate effects. And in fact, of typical benzos prescribed, abusers rate diazepam as having the greatest high. Diazepam also has a higher street value than xanax for the same reason. If interested see: J Clin Psychiatry 2005;66 suppl 2;28-33.
Posted by Phillipa on September 24, 2005, at 23:35:47
In reply to Re: Valium and Xanax comparison and other questions... » Aldus Huxley, posted by Kon on September 24, 2005, at 23:30:59
Wish it made me high. But it just helps with sleep. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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