Posted by Alan on February 19, 2000, at 13:18:26
In reply to Comparing benzos - your experiences please.., posted by John on February 19, 2000, at 12:29:48
> Although the mechanisms are all similar, there are substantive differences that I invite feedback over:
>
> 1. diazepam: Has a definitive onset of action, but the effect lasts shorter than others, although because of active metabolites, there is still sedating drug flowing: e.g. have a beer after a few days of 15mg/day and though perhaps 5 or more hours after the last pill, the accumulation is definite!
>
> 2. chlordiazepoxide: As I recall less 'effect' but equally anxiolitic, and less (half) as long lingering in the system (un-noted) until some other substance activates.. And so cheap.
>
> 3. clorazepate: This is something I have little recollection of but have read of its potentially incredible accumulative properties
>
> 4. clonazepam: Seems ideal for lack of rapid (flush) onset and questionable accumulation as established by at least No. 1 above.
>
> 5. alprazolam: So popular but why?
>
> 6. lorazepam: slow onset, but rapidly out and... by FAR THE WORST 'withdrawal' of any and after very short course of therapy. What is it about this one that is so MISERABLE (in the end)
>
> 7. bromazepam seems like another ideal one as clonaz but no US.***********************************************
Yeah, the Ativan if not properly managed has a withdrawl like Xanax but it is by far the least sedating for me and in my job that's essential. I've tried all of the others but they also make me clumsy. It really is an individual thing.As far as Ativan being the worst for withdrawl, I've heard reports on this board of withdrawl that's just as bad on long acting Klonopin for some people. How about reports of withdrawl from Paxil, Effexor, etc? Don't ever hear that these are addicting drugs...but people are certainly dealing with withdrawl symptoms.
After long (or short)term treatment with the shorter half life benzos, smaller doses of Neurontin (a mood stabilizer with a low side effect profile) can ease the tapering down period.
Ativan has a very rapid onset for me (15 - 20 min) and even faster if held under the tongue or taken with a carbonated beverage on an empty stomach.
Alan
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poster:Alan
thread:22501
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000209/msgs/22509.html