Posted by undopaminergic on May 15, 2008, at 23:34:53
In reply to Re: I'd like to point something out here..., posted by SLS on May 12, 2008, at 6:00:24
> I safely and effectively used two different benzodiazepine to remediate total insomnia produced by combining Parnate + desipramine.
>
> The deal was this: I needed something strong to induce sleep and something else to sleep through the night. My doctor chose Halcion and Ativan. Halcion is the strongest marketed benzodiazepine. It can put anyone to sleep. However, with its short half-life, there was a tendency for it to wear off early or even produce a rebound awakening. With its longer half-life, Ativan prevents rebound awakenings and promotes sleep through the remainder of the night, although it is not strong enough to induce sleep. Restoril can fill the same role as the Ativan. Sonata can perhaps substitute for Halcion.
>I agree with the above, except that I wouldn't compare the drugs in terms of strength. Triazolam (Halcion) and midazolam (Dormicum, Versed) - which I use personally - are more usefully described as having a rapid onset and short duration of action.
Although combinations of benzodiazepines have legitimate and safe applications, it may be possible to find alternatives, such as a drug with both rapid onset and sufficient duration of action - zolpidem (Ambien) and [es]zopiclone (Imovane, Lunesta) are some possibilities that come to mind.
poster:undopaminergic
thread:828330
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080510/msgs/829361.html