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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
Is there a drug sedative which is NOT a depressive and does not undo the work of ADs?
I have a friend who has suffered depression for 9 years and takes huge doses of valium and sleeping tablets along with PAXIL (SEROXAT). I am worried that the SEROXAT won't stand a chance against the sedatives which will be depressing her. If she stops the valium and sleeping tablets what should she take to replace them?
Posted by Randal on August 19, 2002, at 16:34:27
In reply to Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
Arthur,
Possibly trazadone (Deseryl) for the sleep at least, which is closely related to nefazadone (Serzone). From what I understand, Nefazadone is more like a sleep-inducing agent with some antidepressant properties than it is like an antidepressant with drowsiness as a side effect.
Many antidepressants have anti-anxiety properties over the long run (particularly Paxil). Buspar (buspirone) is an anti-anxiety drug that is not a benzo like valium and not addictive, although like an antidepressant it usually takes a couple weeks to kick in. Neurontin (gabapentin) is an anti-epileptic that has anti-anxiety properties and may also have some antidepressant properties.
But take this with a grain of salt as I am not a (medical) doctor. Good luck!
Randal
> Is there a drug sedative which is NOT a depressive and does not undo the work of ADs?
>
> I have a friend who has suffered depression for 9 years and takes huge doses of valium and sleeping tablets along with PAXIL (SEROXAT). I am worried that the SEROXAT won't stand a chance against the sedatives which will be depressing her. If she stops the valium and sleeping tablets what should she take to replace them?
Posted by janejj on August 19, 2002, at 16:52:45
In reply to Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
Trazodone is good suggestion, or perhaps just plain ol' Benedryl.
regards
janejj
Posted by Randal on August 19, 2002, at 17:19:46
In reply to Re: Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by janejj on August 19, 2002, at 16:52:45
I'm guessing many don't know this:
Benadryl = Sominex = diphenhydramine
(an antihistamine that makes you drowsy, sold as both an allergy drug and a sleeping pill)
Also has slight antianxiety effects, for me at least.I was under the impression that the effectiveness of this for sleep lessens after a few days (just like the drowsiness side effect of some medications is "supposed to" )
> Trazodone is good suggestion, or perhaps just plain ol' Benedryl.
>
> regards
> janejj
Posted by judy1 on August 19, 2002, at 21:58:35
In reply to Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
May I ask what you mean by 'huge' doses of valium? I once was at 80mg/day which is extremely high and took a long time (with professional help) to taper down. So I think that's the first issue your friend needs to address, unfortunately taking benzos for sleep does require increasing amounts, and she can't just stop (risk of seizures) and depending on what dose she's taking, she may need to be hospitalized. Once she's at a reasonable dose or off of valium, then she may find her mood doesn't require an AD. Just a thought... take care, judy
Posted by oracle on August 20, 2002, at 1:42:10
In reply to Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
I am worried that the SEROXAT won't stand a chance against the sedatives which will be depressing her.
One does not cancel the other out, it does not
work in that fashion. AD's are not "uppers".
Posted by Arthur Gibson on August 20, 2002, at 5:09:00
In reply to Re: Is there a non-depressive sedative drug? » Arthur Gibson, posted by judy1 on August 19, 2002, at 21:58:35
The "huge dose" taken by my friend is only 20mg a day + sleeping tablets, I don't know which one.
I cannot imagine taking 80mg of valium a day. It has a strong effect on me and 1mg is enough to dope me for a few hours. I think that 80mg would kill me.
Posted by judy1 on August 20, 2002, at 10:14:35
In reply to Re: Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 20, 2002, at 5:09:00
I cannot imagine taking 80mg of valium a day. It has a strong effect on me and 1mg is enough to dope me for a
few hours. I think that 80mg would kill me.well yes, it almost did kill me. 20mg is certainly a reasonable dose for anxiety, i wish you knew what the sleeping pills were- ambien? Like the last poster said, ADs and benzos don't 'cancel' out each other. take care, judy
Posted by alan on August 20, 2002, at 22:40:45
In reply to Is there a non-depressive sedative drug?, posted by Arthur Gibson on August 19, 2002, at 15:26:00
> Is there a drug sedative which is NOT a depressive and does not undo the work of ADs?
>
> I have a friend who has suffered depression for 9 years and takes huge doses of valium and sleeping tablets along with PAXIL (SEROXAT). I am worried that the SEROXAT won't stand a chance against the sedatives which will be depressing her. If she stops the valium and sleeping tablets what should she take to replace them?
---------------------------------------------
Xanax has a mild anti-depressant effect - but I believe it is because it is so effective in reducing anxiety which causes depression.You may also want to read this:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
Perhaps the valium has been misprescribed or she needs to try another bzd since one reacts to each of them in a different manner.
Alan
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