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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Alan on April 2, 2002, at 15:34:03
DR.
What is your view on the long term treatment of chronic anxiety disordrs with BZD's especially in light of the World Health Organisation's review of decades of studies concluding that they are relatively safe medications for such a purpose?
Also, do you and colleagues that specalise in treating these disorders make a distinction between "addiction" and "medical or pharmecutical dependency"? Why are AD's - especially the ssri's and the like - which have proven to be at best about 50% effective for the general population, now the first choice to treat anxiety when BZD's have a much higher success rate and lower side effect profile? Profits? BZD's are off brand now.
What is this phenomenon that's hit the profession that will not offer patients BZD monotherapy on equal footing with the ssri's considering that the side effect profile of the BZD's are no less safe than the ssri's?I know it's a somewhat complex issue but thanks for your answer.
Alan
Posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 18:09:55
In reply to Dr Kramer: BZD monotherapy, posted by Alan on April 2, 2002, at 15:34:03
Alan,
I just wanted you to look at the below referenced post, because I discussed your exact question there.
The post is actually about stimulant monotherapy for depression, but I pointed several very relevant analogies with why treatment of anxiety with SSRIs instead of benzos is pushed onto patients, and the various marketing and regulatory reasons behind that unfortunate situation.
So look here for my take on your question:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97442.html
-fachad
> What is your view on the long term treatment of chronic anxiety disordrs with BZD's especially in light of the World Health Organisation's review of decades of studies concluding that they are relatively safe medications for such a purpose?
>
> Also, do you and colleagues that specalise in treating these disorders make a distinction between "addiction" and "medical or pharmecutical dependency"? Why are AD's - especially the ssri's and the like - which have proven to be at best about 50% effective for the general population, now the first choice to treat anxiety when BZD's have a much higher success rate and lower side effect profile? Profits? BZD's are off brand now.
> What is this phenomenon that's hit the profession that will not offer patients BZD monotherapy on equal footing with the ssri's considering that the side effect profile of the BZD's are no less safe than the ssri's?
>
> I know it's a somewhat complex issue but thanks for your answer.
>
> Alan
Posted by Dr. Kramer on April 2, 2002, at 21:15:59
In reply to Dr Kramer: BZD monotherapy, posted by Alan on April 2, 2002, at 15:34:03
I am a big proponent of BZD's for chronic anxiety. I've used them in pts for years with good result. I think what you are describing is, in part, drug co profits, and part a fear of drug abuse. My experince is that there is small percentage of pts that will abuse them, but the vast majority will use them at the same dose with good result indefinitely, and will only get resumption of anxiety sx (i.e., no withdrawal) if they are stopped. I think that in the quest to develop and market a drug for anxiety with absolutely no abuse potential, very good and safe drugs are being overlooked.
Posted by Bill L on April 4, 2002, at 9:14:07
In reply to Re: Dr Kramer: BZD monotherapy, posted by Dr. Kramer on April 2, 2002, at 21:15:59
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Posted by JohnX2 on April 4, 2002, at 19:29:29
In reply to what is BZD? (nm), posted by Bill L on April 4, 2002, at 9:14:07
This is the end of the thread.
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