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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
I seem to recall having read that Xanax actually had some antidepressant qualities/properties. Can anyone confirm this? Are there any clinical studies/research that would demonstrate this? Also, if that is the case, then I guess it would mean that use of Xanax would not cause depressive symptoms that Klonopin sometimes can cause?
Thanks.
Tamara
Posted by ed_uk on December 16, 2004, at 10:59:31
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
Hi,
There are some studies suggesting that Xanax may have antidepressant properties. They are also studies suggesting that Klonopin may be useful for augmenting antidepressants!
All benzos seem to be capable of inducing depression in some people, including Xanax. Klonopin seems to be especially notorious for inducing depression though. Some people on psycho-babble who have suffered from depression on Klonopin have reported that switching to Xanax has eliminated their depression.
As far as I know, Xanax is actually approved for the treatment of depression in some countries. This is not the case in the UK, where the 'package insert' for Xanax states that its efficacy in the treatment of depression in unproven. We can only get Xanax on a private prescription anyway! I would expect Xanax to be most useful for depression where anxiety predominated.
UK information on Xanax.... 'As the efficacy of Xanax in depression has yet to be established, specific treatment may have to be considered.'
Here is some information from a recent report.............
'In the present analysis, we carried out a meta-analysis of 11 random controlled studies that compared the antidepressant effect of alprazolam (Xanax) and standard antidepressants in depressed patients...... In conclusion, the antidepressant effect of alprazolam is comparable to that of low-dose tricyclic antidepressants. Very few studies have investigated severely depressed patients. Also, in long-term administration, the lack of a long-term treatment study makes the issue of alprazolam's benefits and disadvantages still undetermined.'
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by tensor on December 16, 2004, at 11:21:25
In reply to Re: Xanax questions, posted by ed_uk on December 16, 2004, at 10:59:31
Hi,
I think i read somewhere that clonazepam gives a 5-HT increase, has anyone read the same? What significance could that have in a depressed state? Depletion of serotonin?
/Mattias
Posted by tensor on December 16, 2004, at 11:24:12
In reply to Re: Xanax questions, posted by tensor on December 16, 2004, at 11:21:25
and alprazolam gives 5-HT release..
Posted by Glydin on December 16, 2004, at 13:30:36
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
That's an excellent question and I, too, have wondered apart from empirical evidence I've read here, if this was documented somewhere.
All I ever hear from doc's and pharms is benzo's (all) as a class of CNS depressants have the potential to induce or worsen depression.
I don't have issue with the Klonopin I use, but I did wonder about the report of this finding. Also, the reason folks report the "euphoric" feelings on Xanax as opposed to Klonopin, which folks rarely report that feeling???
I don't really want euphoria just anxiety control - well, euphoria every now and then might be nice, but I'm thinking euphoria may increase one's chances of the benzo pitfalls - at least it would for me.
Makes ya go hhhhmmmm.
Posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 13:51:29
In reply to Re: Xanax questions, posted by Glydin on December 16, 2004, at 13:30:36
summary found at the following website:
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/alprazolam.htm
Tamara
Posted by Glydin on December 16, 2004, at 14:48:49
In reply to Re: Here's something re the AD effect, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 13:51:29
> summary found at the following website:
>
> http://www.biopsychiatry.com/alprazolam.htm
>
> Tamara
Interesting. Thanks for posting that. I have tried Xanax, but really don't care for it and didn't find it controlled my symptoms as well at a dosage level I was comfortable with. My system seems to do well with Klonopin, but we are all different and, hopefully, find workable plans.. that's the goal, anyway.
Posted by ed_uk on December 17, 2004, at 6:29:01
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
Some of the early studies of alprazolam (Xanax) were especially positive about its use as an antidepressant (see below).
JAMA. 1983 Jun 10;249(22):3057-64.
Comparison of alprazolam, imipramine, and placebo in the treatment of depression.
Feighner JP, Aden GC, Fabre LF, Rickels K, Smith WT.
Alprazolam is the first of the triazolobenzodiazepines to be studied in a large population of depressed patients. In a six-week, double-blind multicenter comparison of alprazolam, imipramine hydrochloride, and placebo in the treatment of 723 patients with depression, the two active drugs were statistically more effective than placebo. Alprazolam was at least as effective as imipramine in relieving depressive symptoms, significantly more effective in relieving somatic symptoms, and showed an earlier onset of activity in some measurements. Anticholinergic side effects were reported most often by patients receiving imipramine, while drowsiness was the only side effect reported most often in the alprazolam group. The Feighner Diagnostic Criteria and prestudy and poststudy intercenter conferences with videotaped patient interviews ensured interrater reliability.
Ed.
Posted by darkhorse on December 17, 2004, at 9:14:27
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
> I seem to recall having read that Xanax actually had some antidepressant qualities/properties. Can anyone confirm this? Are there any clinical studies/research that would demonstrate this? Also, if that is the case, then I guess it would mean that use of Xanax would not cause depressive symptoms that Klonopin sometimes can cause?
>
> Thanks.
>
> TamaraMy comment and experience :
Yes,Xanax is the strongest benzo which provides , let's say, just mood-lifting,well-being proporties for the anxiuos-mildly depressed person.
I do not think it is useful solo for Major Depression.
Other benzos tend to reduce anxities but not mood-lifing proporties (the closest for xanax in my experience would have to be bromazepam 3mg 3times a day = Xanx 0.2mg 3 T a day)
Clonazepam is the only benzo that gave me rapid depression...but when combined with prozac it was OK....
yes I read that Clon has 5ht propories but I think it doesn't necessarily means that it gives an AD effect on its own...maybe this 5ht proporties is only working positively when is added to an SSRi medication?
Just my experience and thoughts...
P.S. I used 25+ benzo medications !!!
Regards,
Adam.
Posted by j. backer on December 17, 2004, at 10:05:06
In reply to Re: Xanax questions, posted by darkhorse on December 17, 2004, at 9:14:27
the only benzo that doesnt make me deppresed is xanax.a ativan seems to only make me slightly deppresed but all the rest really put me down. unfortunatly i cant get a script easaly (drug war) even though i have SAD/GAD and only use xanax 3 every coupla days. o well, i guess i must pay 1.50 a pill. anyway peace
J
Posted by rvanson on December 18, 2004, at 16:45:38
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
> I seem to recall having read that Xanax actually had some antidepressant qualities/properties. Can anyone confirm this? Are there any clinical studies/research that would demonstrate this? Also, if that is the case, then I guess it would mean that use of Xanax would not cause depressive symptoms that Klonopin sometimes can cause?
>
> Thanks.I've been using Xanax, for the most part, since 1981 when it first hit the shelves.
IMO, it did and does have mild AD properties, as was indictated in the liturature available back then. It does a far better job dealing with insomnia and anxiety issues, then with chronic depressive disorders.
Klonopin was less effective for me then Xanax, but it has been helpful to many here it would seem by the posts.
YMMV.
My .02cts
> Tamara
Posted by jujube on December 19, 2004, at 23:35:57
In reply to Re: Xanax questions, posted by rvanson on December 18, 2004, at 16:45:38
Thank you all for your responses.
Tamara
Posted by Daky on December 22, 2004, at 7:43:07
In reply to Xanax questions, posted by jujube on December 16, 2004, at 10:41:41
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I recently switch from Klonopin to Xanax XR and feel much less sedated and overall much happier. I think it's a case of trying different meds as we all react so differently. I thought Klonopin was a miracle drug but now know that it did impair my memory (even at a low dose) and contributed to drowsiness. Good luck finding the best med for you.
Posted by sukarno on April 18, 2005, at 4:34:26
In reply to Re: Xanax questions--jujube, posted by Daky on December 22, 2004, at 7:43:07
According to my previous psychiatrist in the US, (paraphrased): "Xanax does have an antidepressant effect at the higher doses, but I won't prescribe it at those doses."
Oh well. I find it to be the least likely of the benzos to exacerbate depression in my case. My mood improved significantly when I switched from Valium to Xanax, but it took some time to adjust to it.Valium was great for anxiety though and had a strong muscle relaxant effect.
I found Klonopin to be useful in that it is longer-acting...seems like a dose of Klonopin will last up to 12 hours, whereas a dose of Valium or Xanax poops out after 6 hours. (However, withdrawal symptoms begin much more rapidly upon abrupt discontinuation of Xanax. I could go a day without Valium and feel ok, but 12 hours without Xanax = withdrawal for me)
Posted by TomV on April 19, 2005, at 11:17:24
In reply to Xanax (alprazolam) has antidepressant properties, posted by sukarno on April 18, 2005, at 4:34:26
> According to my previous psychiatrist in the US, (paraphrased): "Xanax does have an antidepressant effect at the higher doses, but I won't prescribe it at those doses."
>
> Oh well. I find it to be the least likely of the benzos to exacerbate depression in my case. My mood improved significantly when I switched from Valium to Xanax, but it took some time to adjust to it.
>
> Valium was great for anxiety though and had a strong muscle relaxant effect.
>
> I found Klonopin to be useful in that it is longer-acting...seems like a dose of Klonopin will last up to 12 hours, whereas a dose of Valium or Xanax poops out after 6 hours. (However, withdrawal symptoms begin much more rapidly upon abrupt discontinuation of Xanax. I could go a day without Valium and feel ok, but 12 hours without Xanax = withdrawal for me)
>Xanax does relieve my depression at higher levels, but I tend to get much sleepier and usually coming down is not a pretty picture.
I tried xanax xr (hoping it would give me the AD effect) but it seemed like a totally different drug to me and had to discontinue.
Tom
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