Posted by yxibow on March 14, 2005, at 20:27:27
In reply to Klono not nearly as effective as X? (Oth. Benzos?), posted by cache-monkey on March 14, 2005, at 14:18:42
> I went up to 1.5 mg/day on the Klonopin a couple weeks ago and haven't taken any Xanax for about 3+ weeks. My anxiety gradually worsened and neared panic status again last week. I also have been feeling very slowed down (that might be a consequence of upping my Lithium to 900 mg/day -- that's the only other drug I'm on right now.) Finally, I broke down and took a Xanax (0.25 mg) and boom anxiety gone.Xanax is much more quicker acting and tends to give an immediate euphoria rather than Klonopin which is much more subtle, so that makes sense that you felt that on the spot. Three weeks should be enough for rebound withdrawal although if you've been taking it for a long time that may not be true. Some of the anti-benzo crowd claims months to years but that's not really scientifically proven from what I know.
> Is it the case that it just varies between individuals? I.e., for some is Xanax just more effective at a comparable dose? Is a bezo just a benzo?I would say any drug varies between individuals... a benzodiazepine is not always just a benzodiazepine, although they all act similarily with different half lifes, and different sub-bindings at GABA and can vary suchlike in their makeup: (hypnotic/sedative [strongly so, e.g. Dalmane, Halcion], anxiolytic [e.g. Xanax, Ativan], anticonvulsant/antitremor [e.g. Klonopin]). But as said before, all do hit all those sub-receptors, some may be better than others or more immediate.
>
> I'm a little averse to going up further on the Klonopin and would like to consider switching benzos with my p-doc. I'm thinking of Xanax XR, but am worried about the eventual taper, which I think is harder with Xanax. How about Ativan? Valium?Taper is harder with Xanax although the XR may be less of a problem. Ativan is also quick acting and shorter half life; Valium may be longer. There are people living and breathing with much higher doses of Klonopin (I happen to be on a higher dose for my particular disorder, although I'm not advocating it one way or another -- one has to be vigilant and adjust patterns behind the driving wheel) -- epileptics (the original model for Klonopin ages ago) can taper up to 20mg of Klonopin a day, although for anxiety 8mg is usually a ceiling and I'm not suggesting one goes near there without proper consideration.
Since you've been used to using Xanax, Xanax XR might eliminate the multiple daily dosing of Xanax usually required (Klonopin can be taken once, perhaps twice a day). On the other hand XR is also just an excuse for patent extension and is more expensive.
Tidings
poster:yxibow
thread:470912
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050312/msgs/471071.html