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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
I'm going to switch from Klonopin (Clonazepam) to the equivalent dosage of Valium (Diazepam) in order to complete my Klonopin taper. I'd like to hear from anyone who's had experience with both of these benzos. How do they compare, regarding level of sedation, hypnotic action, side effects including effect on sexual functioning, etc.? Any info would be appreciated!
Posted by HenryO on February 5, 2004, at 3:31:33
In reply to Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
I think you're going from the frying pan into the fire. Valium is harder.
Posted by crazychickuk on February 5, 2004, at 3:57:27
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by HenryO on February 5, 2004, at 3:31:33
I agree valuim is worse.... much much worse.. can cause seizures all sorts, was loads of documentarys on tele about valuim.. lots of law suits going on also, my advice to you is to just come off klon slowely as possible, 1/2 for a week, 1/2 every 2 days etc etc.. talk to your physc about it...
Best of luck
Donna
Posted by Sad Panda on February 5, 2004, at 7:14:15
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by crazychickuk on February 5, 2004, at 3:57:27
> I agree valuim is worse.... much much worse.. can cause seizures all sorts, was loads of documentarys on tele about valuim.. lots of law suits going on also, my advice to you is to just come off klon slowely as possible, 1/2 for a week, 1/2 every 2 days etc etc.. talk to your physc about it...
>
> Best of luck
>
> DonnaGoing cold turkey from any Benzo can give you convulsions and kill you. People switch to Valium to taper becuase it has the longest half-life of all the Benzos which makes it the easiest to get off. Much the same as taking Prozac to help you finish quitting another SSRI or Efexor.
http://www.benzo.org.uk/ probaby has the best advice on the net about quitting Benzos.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 5, 2004, at 7:55:17
In reply to Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
There is NO reason to switch. Klonopin itself is the "methadone of benzos". Valium's wacky pharmacokinetics make it less than desirable for this purpose. It also is more habit-forming.
Why? It penetrates the blood-brain barrier faster than any other benzo, then gets redistributed out within hours. Nordiazepam is formed, which is also highly lipid soluable AND protein bound, accumulating everywhere; its long half-life doesn't matter if it doesn't hit the brain.Others probably would back me up on this.
Posted by zero on February 5, 2004, at 12:07:25
In reply to Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
The post by "Sad Panda" summarizes my feelings on this.
I've quit long-term Valium use twice: it's definitely possible and much, much easier w. slow taper.
The Klonopin tapering schedules (w. Klon.->Val. switch 1st) at http://www.benzo.org.uk/
make sense to me (not that I agree with much else of what is on the site).Good luck.
Posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 23:35:09
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. Valium » cubbybear, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 5, 2004, at 7:55:17
> There is NO reason to switch. Klonopin itself is the "methadone of benzos". Valium's wacky pharmacokinetics make it less than desirable for this purpose. It also is more habit-forming.
> Why? It penetrates the blood-brain barrier faster than any other benzo, then gets redistributed out within hours. Nordiazepam is formed, which is also highly lipid soluable AND protein bound, accumulating everywhere; its long half-life doesn't matter if it doesn't hit the brain.
>
> Others probably would back me up on this.Yes, I'd like to see all the replies. . . your assessment is the first I've ever read in this regard.
If the overall consensus is that Klonopin is so much easier to taper off of than Valium, I'll change my plans.
cubbybear
Posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 23:46:34
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. Valium » Chairman_MAO, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 23:35:09
Well, now that I've read through all the replies so far, it looks like opinion is divided. This just goes to prove that everyone reacts differently to every drug, including the final taper.
I'd still appreciate anyone else's input as well.
Posted by theo on February 6, 2004, at 19:41:08
In reply to Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
Posted by cubbybear on February 7, 2004, at 0:29:46
In reply to Xanax XR (ext. release) might be good option (nm), posted by theo on February 6, 2004, at 19:41:08
Eh? I believe that Xanax is much more habituating and difficult to quit than Klonopin or Valium. Also, I've never tried Xanax SR. Please explain why you think so.
Posted by Cyrus on February 7, 2004, at 6:31:08
In reply to Klonopin vs. Valium, posted by cubbybear on February 5, 2004, at 3:22:13
I found Klonopin ineffective for panic and somewhat depressive. As for Valium and seizures???
I have googled many sites over many years saying how effective valium was to Counter seizures in emergencies. And yes sudden/rapid withdrawal is dangerous. But seizures with small regular doses? Or are we talking problems with ultra high doses by some who screwed around with it? I'd be interested in seeing those stories if you got any links.
I'm on 10mg generic valium and effexor 75 XR.
Posted by theo on February 7, 2004, at 16:17:29
In reply to Re: Xanax XR (ext. release) might be good option » theo, posted by cubbybear on February 7, 2004, at 0:29:46
Xanax XR is once a day dosing, 15-24 half life. Regular Xanax is a few hours and instant euphoria. I've taken regular Xanax before and had high anxiety when I would try to stop. With Xanax XR, I've stopped before and because of the long half life have had no problem. Because it's once a day dosing many people with addictive behaviors that could not take regular Xanax before can handle Xanax XR because you just take it once a day. I know Klonopin has a long half life but it made me much more groggy and depressed, which made it harder to stop for me.
Posted by cubbybear on February 8, 2004, at 2:14:26
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. ValiumSeizures w/normal dose?, posted by Cyrus on February 7, 2004, at 6:31:08
Posted by Cyrus on February 9, 2004, at 2:15:30
In reply to I think you intended your post for crazychickuk (nm) » Cyrus, posted by cubbybear on February 8, 2004, at 2:14:26
Did not mean to imply you brought it up. I had just never heard of this connection before ;).
Posted by Parisss on February 11, 2004, at 0:32:31
In reply to Re: Klonopin vs. ValiumSeizures w/normal dose?, posted by Cyrus on February 7, 2004, at 6:31:08
I was recently on the Klonopin and much prefer the Valium. My Doctor intended for me to take 1 10mg 4 times per day and I do use it at will. I have told him as much and I am taking usually 20mg in one dose per day just to get through the rough spot. I found the former (Klonopin) to be useless on me. I am also on Trileptal, Wellbutrin, (Celexa when I began the Valium), Lamictal (think we are going to have to let this one go) and then Xanax TR.
This is the end of the thread.
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