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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by darkling on October 3, 2001, at 11:25:50
what is the difference between benzodiazapines? how might treatment and recovery differ if one were taking xanax rather than ativan. or why might a doctot prescribe klonopin rather than another benzo? if benzodiazapines all treat the same way, why might one be better for panic disorder than another?
thanx-t
Posted by kid_A on October 3, 2001, at 13:49:22
In reply to difference between benzodiazapines, posted by darkling on October 3, 2001, at 11:25:50
Benzos are similar molecularly as well as pharmacologically... I believe that they all act on GABA receptors.They differ in their comparative strengths, activation time (relative time until a peak plasma level is reached), and their half life (the time it takes for the drug to get out of your system)...
For example diazepam (valium) has a fairly long half life, so you wont have the same problems that you might if you took alprazolam (xanax), which has a very short half life, around 9-20 hours, so if taken daily it can cause all manner of addiction woes if you stop taking it suddenly... I dont think anyone even prescribes valium anymore but regardless...
Klonopin, which was used primarily as an anti-epileptic seems now to be being prescribed more as an anti-anxiety drug... I suspect that it is sometimes prefered to xanax due to its slightly longer half life and its relatively weaker strength (despite what the benzo equivalency charts say)...
I've seen it also used as a detox drug for getting off xanax as well... I think you'll find that klonopin and xanax (with ativan comeing in a very remote third) being the most prescribed benzos...
With xanax being so prevelant, drugs like Valium which were much more popular in the eighties are really falling off the radar...
Posted by kid_A on October 3, 2001, at 16:06:58
In reply to Re: difference between benzodiazapines » darkling, posted by kid_A on October 3, 2001, at 13:49:22
Posted by Zo on October 3, 2001, at 16:32:51
In reply to difference between benzodiazapines, posted by darkling on October 3, 2001, at 11:25:50
Every single benzo I've tried has been different, different onsit, different hit, different next day. I could describe them all, but they might all be different for you. One can generalize. . .Klonopin is known to have anti-seisure properties, which are helpful to more than epileptics. Ativan is a nice weak one, for when you just need a little nudge to fall asleep. Valium gave me markedly increased congition the next day! Neither Sonata (benzo?) or Amiben had a shred of effect. If I can't sleep on 3 Restoril/tamazepam. . .I'm probably manic. Xanax used to be my mainstay, and all I had to see me thru a number of suidical years. Yada yada. ..
Hope this helps,
Zo
Posted by PaulB on October 3, 2001, at 16:57:26
In reply to difference between benzodiazapines, posted by darkling on October 3, 2001, at 11:25:50
> what is the difference between benzodiazapines? how might treatment and recovery differ if one were taking xanax rather than ativan. or why might a doctot prescribe klonopin rather than another benzo? if benzodiazapines all treat the same way, why might one be better for panic disorder than another?
>
> thanx-tI have had short-term experience with Valium, Klonopin and Xanax and I can honestly make clear comparisons between each in terms on their effect. Valium raised my mood more than the others which I believe is not uncommon which is why my doctor recommends it, was less potent than the Xanax and Klonopin. Nevertheless it is a very effective anxiolytic and had a quick onset of effect. In the past at PB I have said I prefer Klonopin but it does cause more cognitive side-effects thasn Valium but was a more effective anxiolytic than Valium and Xanax too but I prefer Valium because Klonopin seemed just a little too potent and hard to tolerate, for me anyway. Xanax was similar to Klonopin in terms of anxiolytic relief, being more effective than Valium but again cognitive side-effects, memory impairment and drowsiness were more marked than Valium but somewhat less than Klonopin. I dont agree with Kid_A that Valium is on its way out. I think it is a very good medication. Cant comment on Ativan but from what I heard may be better tolerated than the other high-potency benzodiazepines for some. It really is trial and error process to find out what works best for you.
PaulB
Posted by darkling on October 4, 2001, at 8:41:47
In reply to Re: difference between benzodiazapines, posted by PaulB on October 3, 2001, at 16:57:26
thanks all-wanted to get all my meds straight before i went to the new doctor. he prescribed low dose to start of celexa and xanax. i absolutely do not like ssri's and would prefer just taking the xanax. from what ive read not much of the list disagrees with me. how can i talk him into giving me the xanax without the celexa? should i just let him think ive been taking the celexa?
Posted by kid_A on October 4, 2001, at 11:39:11
In reply to Re: difference between benzodiazapines » darkling, posted by Zo on October 3, 2001, at 16:32:51
Neither Sonata (benzo?) or Amiben had a shred of effect.
I dont know about sonata, but i know that ambien is not a benzo... though certain benzos (like halcion) are prescribed as a hypnotic (as Ambien is) for inducing sleep... im sure its short acting, since its known to have induce similar feelings of withdrawl if used for extended periods of time and then suddenly stopped...
Posted by gheld on October 4, 2001, at 21:45:39
In reply to Re: difference between benzodiazapines, posted by darkling on October 4, 2001, at 8:41:47
> thanks all-wanted to get all my meds straight before i went to the new doctor. he prescribed low dose to start of celexa and xanax. i absolutely do not like ssri's and would prefer just taking the xanax. from what ive read not much of the list disagrees with me. how can i talk him into giving me the xanax without the celexa? should i just let him think ive been taking the celexa?
I wouldn't play games with my doc. If he won't agree with you on a mutually acceptable medication program it's time to find a new doc. It's your mind and your body and you have the final say, with the doc's input.
This is the end of the thread.
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