Posted by R.Anne on November 24, 2000, at 2:17:30
In reply to Kava Kava or Ativan? Which is best?, posted by angelrose on November 18, 2000, at 12:44:02
When I was at the pharmacist getting my meds. (ativan, effexor, paxil, risperdal)I asked the pharmacist about kavakava and she said it is a drug, too, even if it says it is natural. She cautioned me to be careful and did not recommend it with my other meds. My pdoc said there are not a lot of studies on it. I got the Kavakava and tried it. It didn't give me any immediate noticable effect but I slept a lot and felt very tired the next day. I did not take ativan that nite. When I take the ativan I don't feel tired the next day at the .5 mg. but I do feel an immediate noticable effect in my anxiety-it decreases. It helps me sleep, too. The kavakava is too expensive in my opinion. My insurance pays for the ativan so it's a better option. All in all I think they are both beneficial. I don't know if there is an addictiion potential for kavakava like there is for ativan. I think it's also very helpful to look to alternative things to do to alleviate anxiety-like mild exercise or hot baths or a brisk walk or a phone call to a friend, etc., etc. I try to keep my ativan taking to a minimum.
poster:R.Anne
thread:49030
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001115/msgs/49322.html