Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
Does somebody has personal experience/or knowledge from studies about:
Tolerance of common bz's like Valium, Tranxene... transform in nordiazepam/nordazepam active metabolites (usage over 6 months)
related to bz's with different molecule structure like
Klonopin, Xanax...
According to studies Klonopin should be safe for at least 6 months, other bz's metabolizing in nordiazepam should also be remain efficacy for at least 6 months. I have never seen studies, which prove no tolerance over 6 months.
In the p-forum tolerance symptoms seem to be very variable from person to person.
After doing some research, bz's similar to Valium -> nordiazepam should be at least develop tolerance symptoms.
kind regards
sdb
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 1, 2005, at 10:55:33
In reply to Tolerance of benzodiazepines, posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
i am actually taking less (1mg/day) now than i was in 1997 (3mg). it still is very effective.
however, i must point out the every med affects everyone differently. you might have the same reaction or a different one. good luck
Posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 15:41:18
In reply to Re: ive taken klonopin for 8 years, posted by UgottaHaveHope on October 1, 2005, at 10:55:33
Hi!
For what (SAD, GAD...) do you use the Klonopin?
kind regards
sdb
Posted by Jedi on October 1, 2005, at 23:48:35
In reply to Tolerance of benzodiazepines, posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
Hi SDB,
I have used clonazepam off and on for ten years. I have used dosages ranging from .5mg daily to over 5mg daily, mostly for social and generalized anxiety. I have not used the other benzos enough to tell you anything about their long term use.
In my experience, tolerance to the sleepiness side effect of clonazepam develops rather quickly. I also don't really feel the anti-anxiety effect, but I know it is there. Before, I would have sweaty palms and would not even think of initiating a conversation with a stranger. Now I can talk to almost anyone and not really care if they are evaluating me. Most of this can probably be attributed to the Nardil I take, but the gaba in clonazepam helps also. I have found that I respond well to other gabaergic medications also.
Good Luck,
Jedi
Posted by yxibow on October 4, 2005, at 0:03:20
In reply to Tolerance of benzodiazepines, posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
> Does somebody has personal experience/or knowledge from studies about:
>
> Tolerance of common bz's like Valium, Tranxene... transform in nordiazepam/nordazepam active metabolites (usage over 6 months)
>
> related to bz's with different molecule structure like
>
> Klonopin, Xanax...
>
> According to studies Klonopin should be safe for at least 6 months, other bz's metabolizing in nordiazepam should also be remain efficacy for at least 6 months. I have never seen studies, which prove no tolerance over 6 months.
>
> In the p-forum tolerance symptoms seem to be very variable from person to person.
>
> After doing some research, bz's similar to Valium -> nordiazepam should be at least develop tolerance symptoms.
>
> kind regards
>
> sdb
I owe some of my sanity to benzodiazepines -- the creator of them just recently died at 95. But that's a side comment, I thought I'd just add that as an interesting note. He did it as a pet project, sort of by accident. The obit is in the LA times. But anyway before I stray....I've taken klonopin at 8mg levels for several years. Yes, I dont feel a "high" from it, but it is a more subtle drug. I'm now 80% complete in a cross taper to Valium to see if it makes any difference in my complex disorder.
Now, to the tolerance... that varies by the benzodiazepine and the person. There are people on low dose Librium and Valium who have taken it since they were invented in 1955 (I forget exactly) and 1960 and have had no problems.
On the other hand, short acting benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan can build up tolerance and the person doesnt eventually feel a "high" or a "kick". They may require more in the future. Its not an exact art. Combining them with other medications can also have repercussions.
In the end, I'd say benzodiazepines are the safest psychiatric drugs that we still have in 2005. But if one is considering a taper or discontinuing one, they should follow a strict schedule of reducing over several weeks. In my opinion, for most people, they can be habituating and tolerance can develop, but I don't put them in the "addictive" class which I would reserve for things like heroin or Oxycontin or Percocet.
My 2c
Hope that helps
Posted by 4WD on October 4, 2005, at 21:18:11
In reply to Tolerance of benzodiazepines, posted by sdb on October 1, 2005, at 5:51:45
I have been taking Klonopin for about a year and a half now. I started at .5mg two -three times a day. At times I needed less and took less. I didn't suffer any adverse effects from lessening the dose when I was feeling less anxious.
I currently take .25 or .5 mg daily. Once, in the morning. I haven't needed to increase the dose. OTOH, it doesn't control my anxiety at that small dosage. Well, .5 does a pretty good job but I would rather keep it at as low a dose as possible and tolerate the anxiety.
I just realized that doesn't make a lot of sense.
Anyway, I ahven't needed to increase the dose unless the anxiety itself gets worse.
Marsha
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