Posted by Snoozy on April 15, 2003, at 12:49:38
In reply to Would Xanax or beta blockers act fast?, posted by HelenInCalif on April 15, 2003, at 3:38:32
I looked up some information in a psychiatric drug book. Beta blockers are used for many things, from heart problems to headaches to social phobia. For a stage fright situation, 20-40 mg is taken about one hour before they have to perform. The drug usually controls rapid heartbeat, trembling and sweating.
Beta blockers reduce the amount of nervous system stimultation to the heart and blood vessels, and cut down on the ability of adrenaline to make the heart beat faster. They're very safe for healthy people, and non-addictive. Atenolol is used as well as propranolol (both generic).
The down side is they're just going to work on some of the physical symptoms of anxiety - the rapid heartbeat, etc. They don't have an overall calming effect like the benzos. All the benzos do cause sleepiness.
There are long (Valium, Klonopin) and short (Ativan, Xanax) acting benzos. The short ones are eliminated from the body a few hours after they are taken. The upside to taking a short one is that if it's too sedating, it's out of your system fairly quickly.
If you want to try a benzo, I would suggest calling your doctor and explaining that you are in a short-term situation of extreme anxiety inducement. Ask for 5 or 10 pills (if you think this will be adequate) of the lowest dose available. Doctors seem to be more willing to prescribe them in a limited quantity for a short (1-2 weeks) time period. You can even try cutting the pills in half at first, to see how it affects you.
I'm familiar with Ativan and Xanax. I never noticed much difference in how they worked. I would note that both are available generically, however I know that Ativan (lorazepam) has been in the news for huge price increases - I think there's only one generic manufacturer. I know someone whose Ativan rx doubled in price. This may have changed by now - a pharmacy should be able to tell you.
I hope this helps in some way. Please let me know how you're doing.
> I know with antidepressants it takes weeks for the medications to work. Are either of these relatively fast in their impact?
>
> Also, are any of the benzos less likely to cause sleepiness as a side effect. Or by definition do all of them do this? Thanks again for any advice.
poster:Snoozy
thread:219453
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/219569.html