Posted by yxibow on January 6, 2006, at 0:46:24
In reply to Re: When are benzos justified?, posted by MGOLDW on January 5, 2006, at 14:31:15
> Everyone talks about long term Bezo use. What is considered long term use? One month, one year, ten years?
> Also, is there a significant difference between regular use or as needed use in terms as long term use?There are people who have been on Librium since it came out in 1960 and Valium since it came out in 1963 with no habituation. Its inventor recently died at 97, if that gives any idea of the length of time psychiatric medications have been around. That is definately long term use.
The difference between regular use and as needed use is that after about a certain period of time, weeks to months (dependent on the benzodiazepine, there are more than 3 dozen though not all are approved in every country) one can and usually becomes habituated to it. At that point, it may still has clinical use, but if one wants to discontinue, it has to be gradual withdrawal or anything can happen from seizures to extreme anxiety, tremor, chills, and other typical signs of drug withdrawal.
Do not attempt to "cold turkey" a long term use of any benzodiazepine. I did for a variety of reasons (I thought it was starting to interfere cognitively and in other ways) although my so-called doctor at the time allowed an amount back again that wasn't enough, but that's neither here nor there. I still have occasional scalp spasms and back oddities from it.
That doesn't mean benzodiazepines don't have their place -- even with my experience, benzodiazepines are still the safest psychiatric medication and there will be those from the benzo.org.uk camp that will say otherwise, and I am not going to make slander for I once commented about it and it was not taken by Dr Bob in its context -- and one can respect their opinion if they wish.
As needed / PRN, is exactly that, when moderate to severe anxiety occurs, on a fortnight or once or twice or three times a week, or a few times a day here and there. The distinction is that tolerance is generally not built up and benzodiazepines with a more "immediate" action are generally used, like Ativan.
hope that clears that question
tidings
poster:yxibow
thread:594786
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051231/msgs/595697.html