![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 14 to 38 of 38. Go back in thread:
Posted by Abby Cunningham on March 14, 2010, at 14:57:58
In reply to Benzodiazipine maintenance treatment?, posted by Bob on March 12, 2010, at 11:43:58
Hi Bob,
I've been on xanax since about 1983 - was up to 3mg. (equivalent of 30 mg. valium, so Ashton says), and now down to 1.5 mg. Now I feel I am much less sedated and no longer tired. Others are right, withdrawal is not fun at all. :-(
My 89-year-old mother has been on valium (diazepam) for 50 years or however long it's been out. She takes 5 mg. per day and has never raised the dosage. She is very healthy, by the way.
I've sort of resigned myself that my gaba receptors are messed up - it is not addictive personality. I did manage to reduce the dosage in half and would like to get down to 1mg. per day. Good luck.
Abby
Posted by Bob on March 15, 2010, at 15:20:20
In reply to Re: Benzodiazipine maintenance treatment? » Bob, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 13, 2010, at 9:06:00
> > Believe me, all my med decisions are made with much deliberation and often a heavy heart.
>
> Hi Bob,
>
> I hope I didn't offend. Just wanted to make sure that you understood the potential risks, which you clearly do.
>
> I hope you find a solution to your current situation.
>
> Best regards
>Don't worry, I didn't take offense.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 0:02:58
In reply to Re: Benzodiazipine maintenance treatment?, posted by Abby Cunningham on March 14, 2010, at 14:57:58
Ummm. I have a question. Is Valium not preferred treatment in the US?
I've been given klonopin (depressive), librium (restless legs), Xanax CR (currently on maintenance dose of 1-1.5). Works well and said to have muscle relaxant effects which I seem to need.
Why has my doc not suggested Valium? Is there no xr version? Just curious--not looking to change. I associate Valium
with 'Valley of the Dolls'. (Now I'm NOT saying there is any validity to that association.) It's not any more tolerance producing, is it?And 3mgs of Xanax equals 30mg of
Valium? Oh well....Bob, best to you in your decision-making process.
Posted by sukarno on March 16, 2010, at 7:26:26
In reply to Re: Benzodiazipine maintenance treatment?, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 12, 2010, at 14:25:01
Hi Ed. I think you can get alprazolam in the UK if you avoid the NHS and get it by private prescription. Is that right?
I have been on benzodiazepines for 20 years and found diazepam to be the easiest to taper, however, the withdrawal, while being milder, is longer lasting. I tapered using Xanax and found the withdrawal was worse, but it was over sooner.
That said, Valium tends to build up in the system (fat cells, if I remember correctly) due to its long half-life. Valium is also very rapid-acting. According to the British National Formulary (BNF), diazepam is the benzodiazepine with most rapid onset. I truly believe that too. I could feel its effects hit me almost all at once in 7 minutes (I could time it on my wristwatch).
In fact, I feel that diazepam is much more likely to cause psychological dependence due to its rapid onset of action and barbiturate-like effects. Its myorelaxant effects are very pronounced, as is ataxia and basically feeling "liquored up".
On Xanax I have failed to feel "high" or "liquored up", even on a high dose or when taking an extra dose. Taking an extra dose does not produce anything in the way of psychological effects, but it has caused me some incoordination which caused me to trip and fall once. Taking an extra dose of diazepam will result in feeling "drunk" or oversedated (with lowered inhibitions and slurred speech) by comparison.
I'm on 1mg QID and feel far less sedation than I did on 5mg diazepam TID. I never developed a complete tolerance to the myorelaxant and soporific effects of diazepam. Alprazolam does make me sleepy, but much less so and controls my anxiety much more effectively.
It is interesting that a less sedating BZD such as alprazolam (since the short half-life precludes it from accumulating in the tissues, etc) is more effective for my panic attacks (I have none on alprazolam or at most only 1 every 2 months) and agoraphobia than the heavily sedating diazepam.
I would feel snockered on diazepam and still have a panic attack in the mall. On alprazolam, I feel relatively alert and have no anxiety, or very little, when in the shopping mall.
Alprazolam is excellent medication, but one should really only take it long term if there is no other option (for severe panic disorder which is refractory to other treatments). One must be made aware by the prescribing physician that alprazolam is going to be your lifelong partner and that tapering is very difficult for most folks.
Diazepam can be substituted, but since I have sleep apnea, I must avoid it. Alprazolam is safer for sleep apnea, although, ideally I would like to transition to clobazam (Frisium) as doctors here recommend that, especially if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Do you have Frisium in the UK?
Frisium is said to be less sedating than any other BZD and has almost no abuse liability. I am unsure of its efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder. It just seems to be the "in vogue" BZD where I live.
I must say though, I feel no psychological dependence on alprazolam (no cravings) and wish I could take clobazam instead. Diazepam gives me a "rush" and its pro-apnea effects prohibit me from using it. Diazepam also has a lot of street value when known by its trade name "Valium". That is not to say Xanax does not, but most people recognise the term "Valium" and will usually hustle you to get some.
At the same time, alprazolam has (probably) the worst withdrawal syndrome of any BZD besides triazolam (Halcion), so it must be tapered very slowly. My psychiatrist told me in 1997 that I should prepare 6 to 18 months if I want to taper off BZDs as it should be done very slowly to minimise any withdrawal symptoms.
I once tapered off diazepam in 1993 and had little or no trouble. No physical symptoms, but some psychological symptoms such as excessive worry, nervousness, mild insomnia, etc. The day after stopping I was fine and actually slept better than I had in years. After ten days my classic panic attacks (3 to 5 a day as it was prior to BZDs) returned, but not in a rebound fashion.
Several psychiatrists I have seen have agreed that because I cannot tolerate TCAs and have adverse reactions (e.g. GI bleeding on fluoxetine along with rashes) to fluoxetine, that SSRIs despite the differences in chemical structure wouldn't be right for me. They feel uncomfortable prescribing those to me. For now I take Stablon but after five years of treatment it seems to have lost most of its efficacy (unless I keep raising the dose, and it is very expensive!). It is better as an anxiolytic than antidepressant, IMHO.
I might consider taking the plunge into the world of SSRIs because I like the idea of apathy/emotional blunting. I need something to buffer me against depression. Light box therapy is all I use right now besides Stablon but that is very inconvenient.
I had read some abstracts which seem to indicate that GI bleeds might be prevented by taking an H2RA (famotidine, ranitidine) or PPI. I'm allergic to PPIs so I might have try famotidine again. I do have a sample of sertraline here, but I know that if I start taking that it will be about as difficult to quit as tapering a BZD. :-( Also, there is the loss of libido which accompanies SSRI use.
I've also thought about pramipexole as an antidepressant, but am told it is full of side effects and gave some people full blown panic attacks. Yet, another abstract says it was beneficial for panic disorder with agoraphobia.
I'm not sure what I can take for depression. I don't have problems with panic attacks anymore on Xanax, but my depression is a big problem if I don't use my light box for 2 hours each day. If I skip a day it will come back in full force. :-(
I don't wish depression on anyone. I might be willing to risk loss of libido with SSRIs and GI bleeding (if acid blockers can prevent it).. I am not sure. I have a sample of sertraline here on my desk. It's been there for several months. I am quite afraid to take it.
I also have pramipexole 0.25mg here too and have been too afraid to take it also.
I guess I'm just "chicken" when it comes to medications for depression.Take care everyone. Sorry for the long and rambling post. If you have made it this far, I congratulate you on your patience. hehheh.
Best wishes,
Sukarno
Posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 10:19:43
In reply to Xanax on private prescription in UK, posted by sukarno on March 16, 2010, at 7:26:26
Your post was very informative--answers why I was never prescribed Valium. Thanks!
Why is it exactly that Xanax is so difficult to discontinue? I would think ativan with it's shorter half life would be worse....
Posted by manic666 on March 16, 2010, at 13:44:17
In reply to Re: Xanax on private prescription in UK » sukarno, posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 10:19:43
valium has a lot of cred with the heroin addicts,// ativan with the rave set an clubers as you can drink an drink an drink without realy feeling pissed an you seem to stay alert//you would think it did the opposit , but years ago now i would take 2mg go out with the boys an out drink the lot///2 big downfalls/you talk at a hundred mile a hour. an you have 2 hangovers in the morning.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 13:53:46
In reply to Xanax on private prescription in UK, posted by sukarno on March 16, 2010, at 7:26:26
Is Xanax more difficult to taper/withdraw?
If so, why?
Posted by manic666 on March 16, 2010, at 14:39:05
In reply to Xanax on private prescription in UK, posted by sukarno on March 16, 2010, at 7:26:26
you will be ok with setraline, its an easy one to start no major upsets // perhaps sleepy to start wih but thats good as its chilling you out// it takes a long time to really kick in//i had side effects so i swapped to citalopram //there obout the same really mabye citalopram seems a little weaker.//i changed because of weight gain ,but i think it wasnt so much the med as my eating habits //as im still the same on this med . but for depression there cool
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2010, at 23:07:34
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 13:53:46
Floatingbridge been gone all day for a 4.5 hour doc appoint infection guy but to answer your questions on benzos in most areas of US for some reason klonopin is first choice, valium is the very mildest and used for tapering from others even in hospitals that offer rehab as the half-life is so long. In the past I've simply switched or cut down no problem on valium. The UK valium is about the only benzo used. Xanax is the shortest acting a google search will show that. The long acting version your're on for some works well and othes need to add regular xanax as doesn't always release equally. I myself use the regular version as the long acting simply brand and generic didn't work for me. Ativan is longer lasting and now not as popular. But for while it was highly prescribed and if you take luvox as I do it's the only benzo that doesn't build up in your system to act as higher doses. Luvox has a lot of meds that are tolerant with it. Might want to google it. Valium is also an antiseizure med for withdrawal or even IV for real seizures not always. But I took valium for years am almost off it as I don't want the all day med in my system. Prefer the fast acting xanax regular as it if placed under the tongue will stop a panic attack within a few minutes. I thing valium has at time an hour to work. Check babble and see. Love Jan ps never got high on any of them but depressed on klonopin
Posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 23:28:17
In reply to Re: Xanax » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2010, at 23:07:34
Thanks Phillipa,
So Ativan isn't like big guns benzo? Had an injection once of ativan, the only time I've had it. Who knows the dose, but knocked me cold which was just what I needed. I thought ativan was the fastest acting.
I use Xanax regular as an emergency med. I agree--within minutes I'm fine.
I'm curious what luvox is--will Google.
4 hours at the doc? Hope it was beneficial.
Thanks again.
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2010, at 23:56:46
In reply to Re: Xanax » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on March 16, 2010, at 23:28:17
Fb you didn't mention delivery system as ativan IM is extremly fast acting and was the only thing that worked for me for severe vertigo and also when thyroid messed up and needed ativan 2mg IM and then felt normal. Luvox shouldn't be taken with xanax or valium but in my case my dose is so low of luvox that the pdoc likes it. As I said lots of new stuff. I hope it's good. I do know will be expensive and could involve surgery. Got to get the Mri and results of labs back first. Love Jan
Posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:27:14
In reply to Re: Xanax » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2010, at 23:56:46
Yeah, lorazepam (Ativan) is short-acting, but intermediate in its onset. Everyone is different though, but when I took Ativan for sleep I remember nothing happening until almost an hour later so I took another one. I slept like a baby when it finally kicked in and when I woke up I could almost hear music playing in my head (very foggy headed).
The advantage of lorazepam, as Phillipa pointed out, is there are no drug interactions. Lorazepam does not interact with the P450 liver enzyme system. It can be given to those with liver problems without fear of accumulation.
Alprazolam (Xanax) is metabolised by CYP3A4 and interacts with many medications (those that are also metabolised by CYP3A4), such as fluvoxamine (Luvox) and even grapefruit juice. Kava-kava should never be taken whilst on Xanax. There were a few reports of folks passed out who took Xanax along with Kava-kava or who added Kava-kava to their existing Xanax regimen.
Alprazolam binds very tightly to the GABA receptor complex relative to other BZDs. It is thought, although perhaps controversial, that it might target a subset of GABA receptors that diazepam does not. Thus, diazepam seems not to have full cross tolerance with alprazolam. This is controversial though. Some say that diazepam will suppress all withdrawal symptoms and will switch their patients directly to diazepam from alprazolam. Other physicians will perform a cross taper.
I'm not sure whether lorazepam has the same or worse withdrawal than Xanax. They are both very potent BZDs, although Xanax is approximately twice as potent (roughly 1mg alprazolam = 2mg lorazepam, although this can vary from patient to patient).
Halcion (triazolam) supposedly has the worst withdrawal syndrome if abused and taken regularly. Some patients would take it throughout the day instead of using it as a sleep aid. One patient abused it to the tune of 14mg/day and discontinued it abruptly. The patient was given IV chlordiazepoxide (Librium), but still experienced a seizure despite coverage from Librium. I can't remember whether this patient died or not.
Death from discontinuation of BZDs, even Xanax, is rare in the medical literature, despite the seizure risk. However, there was a female patient who had taken [xxx]mg Xanax for one week and went through acute withdrawal in the ER, presenting with all the symptoms of withdrawal and high fever.
This patient was not adequately treated by the hospital and unfortunately died due to a series of epileptic fits.
[xxx]mg is an extreme amount (almost [xxx]mg/day!).
In the literature, there are a few reports of deaths due to status epilepticus from abrupt withdrawal (and one report of seizure during tapering).
With diazepam I believe this is unheard of. Seizures can happen with diazepam withdrawal, but much less so than with alprazolam.
I was forgetful one night and skipped one of my Xanax doses. I couldn't understand why I was hyperventilating and feeling like I was going to "lose my mind" until I looked at the clock and realised it had been 2 or 3 hours since I was supposed to take my medication.
I would rather take Xanax XR instead as a friend of mine told me it is less sedating and has far less peaks and valleys, but the price is exorbitant. I think it is almost USD$2 per tablet. I would have to take two 2mg XR tablets, which would cost me $4/day. :-(
Posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:45:15
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:27:14
I did remember reading that triazolobenzodiazepines (a general rule is that any BZD ending with "lam" is a triazolobenzodiazepine) are more toxic in overdose.
One patient took [xxx] tablets of Halcion (triazolam), went to her neighbour and then collapsed. Medics could not revive her and she passed away.
Xanax also is responsible for more deaths in overdose.
Valium, by comparison, is fairly safe when taken in overdose. Certainly bad things can happen, but folks have taken a "truckload" of diazepam and survived, even without much medical intervention. I remember a friend of mine took [xxx] Tranxene (clorazepate, a long acting BZD, with its active metabolite being desmethyldiazepam) tablets of 7.5mg strength. The hospital took no special actions except to induce vomiting. Otherwise she did not need respiratory support. However, she was staggering around for two days after recovering. I argued against the hospital releasing her, but they left her in my custody in a very bad state. Slurred speech and walking just like someone extremely intoxicated on alcohol (not possible for her to walk a straight line). She had suffered from depression and had attempted suicide. Despite telling ER staff this, they just let her go because she had not stated to them that she had desired suicide!
:-( Of course, she couldn't talk because she was knocked out.
Sorry that I digressed, but Xanax is more risky in overdose and has caused more deaths. This could also point to a mechanism of action of TBZDs (triazolobenzodiazepines), such as binding to more GABA receptors, tighter binding, or both.
Posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 1:02:23
In reply to Xanax more toxic in overdose, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:45:15
my friend's overdose, although it was almost 14 years ago, was very traumatic. I remember how heartless the emergency medics were when they arrived. Perhaps they have a prejudice and think she was a "drug addict", which she was not. All I remember is I panicked when following the advice of the operator on the emergency line to try to rub her breastbone or whatever it was to try to get her to respond (to test her reflexes) and it didn't work.
I remember crying and panicking, thinking she would die, when ER medics arrived. They just said, "what's wrong with him?" and shrugged.
Obviously they had little sympathy for her (and my) plight at that moment.
She was a victim of abuse as a child and disclosed this to me later as the reason for her suicide attempt.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 1:03:25
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:27:14
Thank you for so much information!
I use the generic alprazolam xr after 'blind' testing--mixing both brand and generic together and taking my dose eyes closed. I noticed for myself no difference. Maybe generic would work for you and be cheaper? There are no peaks and valleys, and overall, it keeps my maintenance dose down.
Best to you!
Posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 1:13:41
In reply to Re: Xanax » sukarno, posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 1:03:25
Hi! :-) I hope you are doing well.
I wish I had access to generic alprazolam XR, but it is not available here yet. There are several competing brands of alprazolam here such as Zypraz (which I currently take) and Alganax just to name a few. There is a generic, but only in the immediate-release form. For some odd reason I found the generic to be stronger than the Zypraz brand. Xanax (IR) brand is the most expensive among the immediate release formulations.. approximately 60 cents per 1mg tablet. It is made by Pfizer and imported from their Puerto Rico plant.
The generic IR is not easy to obtain as it is sold out very quickly due to its low price tag of only 1015 cents per tablet. Zypraz is easier for me to obtain at the hospital. I see a psychiatrist in that hospital and he sends the prescription downstairs to pharmacy staff electronically.. unfortunately they don't carry generics, but they do have plenty of Zypraz.. 35 cents/tablet.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 1:18:01
In reply to Re: Xanax more toxic in overdose, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 1:02:23
That sounds very painful and also angering. I would have thought medics (and er staff) would be, not only well-versed in these situations (overdose) but also exhibit the understanding of why it occurs--pain and duress.
I hope your friend is having better times. Child abuse of any sort is a tough legacy to live with. Sounds like she was lucky to have you with her.
Posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 1:23:03
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 1:13:41
Generic alprazolam ir works well. It's unfortunate the generics aren't available to you. I don't understand the international Pharmaceutical scene at all.
I'm good tonight. Thanks for asking! :-D
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2010, at 20:21:23
In reply to Re: Xanax » sukarno, posted by floatingbridge on March 17, 2010, at 1:23:03
Hummm got me thinking I've done straight cross overs to ativan in the pasts and since valium and xanax both seem to be one too long acting and other too fast maybe I should change to ativan as did well on it with luvox and solo. Love Phillipa ps if I remember correctly the generic long acting xanax was also expensive and I just didn't need that sedation all day just to go to sleep. Phillipa
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 17, 2010, at 20:32:37
In reply to Xanax more toxic in overdose, posted by sukarno on March 17, 2010, at 0:45:15
> One patient took [xxx] tablets of Halcion (triazolam), went to her neighbour and then collapsed. Medics could not revive her and she passed away.
Please don't post information that others could use to harm themselves (even if that's not why you posted it, which I assume it wasn't).
Please don't take this personally, either, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person, and I'm sorry if this hurts you.
More information about posting policies is in the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by sukarno on March 18, 2010, at 9:24:06
In reply to Re: tablets of Halcion » sukarno, posted by Dr. Bob on March 17, 2010, at 20:32:37
Sorry Dr Bob. I didn't post that with any malicious intent. I was only trying to illustrate the toxicity of triazolam vs conventional benzodiazepines but now I see your point. I'll be more careful next time.
Thanks,
sukarno
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 18, 2010, at 15:00:48
In reply to Xanax on private prescription in UK, posted by sukarno on March 16, 2010, at 7:26:26
Hi Sukarno,
>I think you can get alprazolam in the UK if you avoid the NHS and get it by private prescription. Is that right?
Yes, although it's very rare.
>Do you have Frisium in the UK?
Yes, although it can only be prescribed on the NHS for epilepsy. It can be prescribed privately for anxiety, although this is very unusual.
>I am unsure of its efficacy in the treatment of panic disorder.
Me too. I think this is an issue.
>I'm allergic to PPIs so I might have try famotidine again.
In what sense allergic? And to which PPI?
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 18, 2010, at 18:51:06
In reply to Re: tablets of Halcion, posted by sukarno on March 18, 2010, at 9:24:06
Posted by sukarno on March 18, 2010, at 20:35:43
In reply to Re: Xanax on private prescription in UK » sukarno, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 18, 2010, at 15:00:48
Hi Ed. :-)
When I was on lansoprazole (and separately omeprazole) I experienced a syndrome consisting of mental depression and malaise in the beginning and then progressing several days later into a full-blown dengue-like or severe flu-like illness (arthralgia, myalgia, pyrexia and tachycardia >120bpm which lasted 12 hours).
Two rechallenges brought on a more swift and strong reaction. I suppose this is a type of hypersensitivity reaction. Following a desensitisation protocol to omeprazole in a medical abstract also failed.
I recently had the same reaction to saccharin, although 5 years earlier I had used saccharin on a daily basis without incident. I learned that saccharin and PPIs are both sulfonamides, either in structure or post-metabolism.
There is a new PPI in Japan named tenatoprazole, which is not a substituted benzimidazole. Perhaps it won't produce the same reaction. Are you familiar with that PPI?
Thanks,
sukarno
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2010, at 10:48:08
In reply to Re: Xanax on private prescription in UK » ed_uk2010, posted by sukarno on March 18, 2010, at 20:35:43
>When I was on lansoprazole (and separately omeprazole) I experienced a syndrome consisting of mental depression and malaise in the beginning and then progressing several days later into a full-blown dengue-like or severe flu-like illness (arthralgia, myalgia, pyrexia and tachycardia >120bpm which lasted 12 hours).
It sounds rather like a serum sickness-like reaction (Hypersensitivity Type III).
> There is a new PPI in Japan named tenatoprazole, which is not a substituted benzimidazole. Perhaps it won't produce the same reaction. Are you familiar with that PPI?
Not really, no. It's not a drug that we use here. I think it might be better to stick to the H2 antagonists. Ranitidine 300mg twice a day can sometimes be used instead of PPIs but even at this (high) dose it is less reliable.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.