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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 14:24:07
What is the general consensus on the efficacy and side effects of Xanax vs. Ativan?
Which is more likely to cause drowsiness?
How long does Ativan last? Xanax seems to only work for about 2 hours with me know. I've become tolerant of the medication, as I take it 4 times daily.
Would switching allow me to get therpeutic benefits without going above the recommended maximum? I need continuous coverage and cannot tolerate SSRI's, thus, for now, benzo's are what my doctor and I have agreed upon for GAD.
Is Ativan known to cause depression? Klonopin did with me, but Xanax does not. Isn't Ativan more similar in chemical makeup to Xanax?
Posted by Phillipa on January 27, 2007, at 14:35:11
In reply to Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 14:24:07
I think it's similar as it doesn't cause depression like klonopin although it doesn't have the longer half life about 4-6 hours. And if you take luvox like me it doesn't increase the strength of the benzo like it does with the valium and xanax I take. Which at times is a good thing. Love Phillipa
Posted by Livehappy on January 27, 2007, at 14:38:55
In reply to Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 14:24:07
I have been on Ativan 6mg daily 2mg daily in 2005.
The diffrence between these two is the diffrent charisteristics of the effects, Xanax is more potent and is somewhat has its own way of working. Ativan makes you relax psychically, it makes everything calm down, but its not as potent as Xanax.
Hap.
Posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 15:49:38
In reply to Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 14:24:07
> What is the general consensus on the efficacy and side effects of Xanax vs. Ativan?
>
> Which is more likely to cause drowsiness?
>
> How long does Ativan last? Xanax seems to only work for about 2 hours with me know. I've become tolerant of the medication, as I take it 4 times daily.
>
> Would switching allow me to get therpeutic benefits without going above the recommended maximum? I need continuous coverage and cannot tolerate SSRI's, thus, for now, benzo's are what my doctor and I have agreed upon for GAD.
>
> Is Ativan known to cause depression? Klonopin did with me, but Xanax does not. Isn't Ativan more similar in chemical makeup to Xanax?Xanax now makes a long acting form - Xanax XR. Don't know if you wanted to give that a try, it works for me
Posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 16:24:26
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 15:49:38
Posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 16:28:29
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 15:49:38
> Xanax now makes a long acting form - Xanax XR. Don't know if you wanted to give that a try, it works for me
Yeah, I did know that there's an XR version of Xanax available. I've never heard great reviews and my doctor has never suggested it (although I usually have to give him ideas, he's always a little frazzled! but I continue to see him because we get along so well).How long does the XR last for you? Have you ever taken immediate release? If so, can you compare the two?
I now insist upon brand name Xanax, since I feel it's superior to the generics I've had. Each medication can be so very different.
Posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 17:08:30
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 16:28:29
>
> > Xanax now makes a long acting form - Xanax XR. Don't know if you wanted to give that a try, it works for me
>
>
> Yeah, I did know that there's an XR version of Xanax available. I've never heard great reviews and my doctor has never suggested it (although I usually have to give him ideas, he's always a little frazzled! but I continue to see him because we get along so well).
>
> How long does the XR last for you? Have you ever taken immediate release? If so, can you compare the two?
>
> I now insist upon brand name Xanax, since I feel it's superior to the generics I've had. Each medication can be so very different.
>I've never taken regular, my pdoc doesn't like to prescribe it because of the fact that it is short acting and that tends to lead to abuse and addiction.
I take a 2 mg in the am, and at about 5 pm I feel like I need the other 2 mg tablet. I sometimes bite the tablet in half at around 5 and take the other half before bed.
Posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 17:38:34
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 17:08:30
Really? You bite it in half? Did you know that cutting/splitting/breaking an XR tab makes the medication release into your bloodstream all at once? So that means your body treats the 2nd dose more like immediate release. It won't last as long if you do that. Maybe you should ask your doc for 1mg tabs. Take 2 in the AM and 1 in the PM. Just a suggestion. Have you told him that you do this? You might want to bring this to his attention and then tell him you're concerned that by breaking the tabs, you aren't getting the treatment intended (just to make the doctor feel like you aren't telling him how to do his job).
Posted by nolegirl23 on January 27, 2007, at 18:54:32
In reply to Re: Xanax vs. Ativan, posted by jealibeanz on January 27, 2007, at 17:38:34
> Really? You bite it in half? Did you know that cutting/splitting/breaking an XR tab makes the medication release into your bloodstream all at once? So that means your body treats the 2nd dose more like immediate release. It won't last as long if you do that. Maybe you should ask your doc for 1mg tabs. Take 2 in the AM and 1 in the PM. Just a suggestion. Have you told him that you do this? You might want to bring this to his attention and then tell him you're concerned that by breaking the tabs, you aren't getting the treatment intended (just to make the doctor feel like you aren't telling him how to do his job).
No, i did not know that, but now that I think about it, that makes perfect sense.
I will most definitely talk to my doc.WOW, I feel like an idiot. Of course biting the tablet would cancel out the XR effect. I don't do it all of the time, usually only on a REALLY anxious day...
This is the end of the thread.
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