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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 BIGDaddyachmed69 on March 15, 2004, at 13:21:11
I currently take 3 mgs of Xanax on a nightly basis, and I'd like to cut back...are there ways to potentiate benzodiazepines safely? Drinking alcohol is obviously not a good idea, and the manufacturers warn not to drink grapefruit juice.
Posted by TheOutsider on March 15, 2004, at 20:26:27
In reply to Ways to potentiate benzos safely?, posted by BIGDaddyachmed69 on March 15, 2004, at 13:21:11
I have no direct experience with benzoes, but I hear that magnesium supplements will potentiat them.
I probably wouldn't hurt to try as their quite cheap. Just two things though. Firstly make sure your taking a supplement which is absorbable, i.e. not magnesium oxide! Magnesium citrate works fine for me.
Secondly I find that to much magnesium makes me depressed, so be a bit careful.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 16, 2004, at 13:45:55
In reply to Re: Ways to potentiate benzos safely?, posted by TheOutsider on March 15, 2004, at 20:26:27
I'd most certainly recommend the grapefruit juice -- the warning is there simply because there is a risk of oversedation (i.e. potentiation) when grapefruit juice is used concomitantly with triazolobenzodiazepines (Xanax, Halcion, Versed). It's an extremely potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and is certainly much safer than using Serzone or cimetidine for potentiation.
Posted by btnd on March 17, 2004, at 12:22:33
In reply to Re: Ways to potentiate benzos safely?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 16, 2004, at 13:45:55
> I'd most certainly recommend the grapefruit juice -- the warning is there simply because there is a risk of oversedation (i.e. potentiation) when grapefruit juice is used concomitantly with triazolobenzodiazepines (Xanax, Halcion, Versed). It's an extremely potent inhibitor of CYP3A4 and is certainly much safer than using Serzone or cimetidine for potentiation.
From what I've read/heard - grapefruit juice is able to potentiate only one benzo and that is Valium (diazepam).
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 19, 2004, at 4:03:56
In reply to Re: Ways to potentiate benzos safely? » Ame Sans Vie, posted by btnd on March 17, 2004, at 12:22:33
I don't believe the grapefruit trick works with diazepam, as it's metabolized via CYP2C9 -- not CYP3A4. It may have some effect, but likely a mild one.
This is the end of the thread.
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