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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2006, at 13:30:36
In reply to Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please!, posted by Sobriquet Style on April 2, 2006, at 7:54:40
Hi!
Here is a list of studies posted by Elizabeth in 2001. Most studies relate to the use of alprazolam in panic disorder. There is more long term efficacy data for benzos in panic disorder than in other anxiety disorders.....
J Clin Psychopharmacol 1998 Dec;18(6 Suppl 2):12S-18S. Panic disorder: long-term pharmacotherapy and discontinuation. Rickels K, Schweizer E.
Neuropsychopharmacology 1995 Apr;12(2):147-57. Benzodiazepine sensitivity in panic disorder: effects of chronic alprazolam treatment. Cowley DS, Roy-Byrne PP, Radant A, Ritchie JC, Greenblatt DJ, Nemeroff CB, Hommer DW.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1993 Jan;50(1):51-60. Maintenance drug treatment of panic disorder. I. Results of a prospective, placebo-controlled comparison of alprazolam and imipramine. Schweizer E, Rickels K, Weiss S, Zavodnick S.
Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1993 Summer;8(2):115-8. Three-year follow-up of patients with panic disorder after short-term treatment with alprazolam and imipramine. Lepola UM, Rimon RH, Riekkinen PJ.
J Psychiatr Res 1993;27 Suppl 1:127-42. Maintenance drug therapy of panic disorder. Curtis GC, Massana J, Udina C, Ayuso JL, Cassano GB, Perugi G.
J Clin Psychopharmacol 1992 Oct;12(5):352-4. Discontinuation of alprazolam after long-term treatment of panic-related disorders. DuPont RL, Swinson RP, Ballenger JC, Burrows GD, Noyes R, Rubin RT, Rifkin A, Pecknold JC.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1989 Nov;46(11):993-9. Clinical and medication outcome after short-term alprazolam and behavioral group treatment in panic disorder. 2.5 year naturalistic follow-up study. Nagy LM, Krystal JH, Woods SW, Charney DS.
Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl 1987;335:39-46. Pharmacology of the benzodiazepines; with special emphasis on alprazolam. Soderpalm B.
Hope this helps.......
Ed
Posted by Sobriquet Style on April 2, 2006, at 18:08:44
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » Sobriquet Style, posted by ed_uk on April 2, 2006, at 13:30:36
>Here is a list of studies posted by Elizabeth in 2001.
:-) Elizabeth wrote some interesting posts all those years ago..
>There is more long term efficacy data for benzos in panic disorder than in other anxiety disorders.....
I think basically my condition is somewhat comorbid, bipolar/anxiety/panic. I've been mainly treated for bipolar, so the relief I hope to get from the benzo's, well, time will tell I guess.
>Hope this helps.......
It certainly does, thank you :-)
~
Posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 13:53:18
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » ed_uk, posted by Sobriquet Style on April 2, 2006, at 18:08:44
Hi
Have you ever tried chlordiazepoxide (Librium)? Chlordiazepoxide is easier to taper than most benzos (similar to diazepam). The advantage of chlordiazepoxide is that it apparantly has a lower 'street value' than the other benzos......and so your doc may be more comfortable prescribing it.
Chlordiazepoxide is not a good PRN benzo, it doesn't 'kick in' as quickly as Xanax or Valium. It is, however, a logical choice if a benzo is to be taken daily for several weeks or more.
As with all anxiolytic benzos, it's efficacy beyond 4 months is unclear.
Regards
Ed
PS. How do you like clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)?
Posted by yxibow on April 3, 2006, at 14:58:55
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » Sobriquet Style, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 13:53:18
> Hi
>
> Have you ever tried chlordiazepoxide (Librium)? Chlordiazepoxide is easier to taper than most benzos (similar to diazepam). The advantage of chlordiazepoxide is that it apparantly has a lower 'street value' than the other benzos......and so your doc may be more comfortable prescribing it.
>
> Chlordiazepoxide is not a good PRN benzo, it doesn't 'kick in' as quickly as Xanax or Valium. It is, however, a logical choice if a benzo is to be taken daily for several weeks or more.
>
> As with all anxiolytic benzos, it's efficacy beyond 4 months is unclear.
>
> Regards
>
> Ed
>
> PS. How do you like clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)?
>
Librium is like about 1/10 of the resulting potency of Valium, which is why Valium became the default when Librium was released around 1959-1960 and Valium became the seller in 1962. Librium is still used for alcohol detox, I guess primarily because its so weak that abuse by patients would be inhibited. Valium doesnt have, at least in the US anyway, nearly the street value of Xanax, and Klonopin I doubt has much at all.
Posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 15:20:23
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on April 3, 2006, at 14:58:55
Hi Yxi
>Librium is like about 1/10 of the resulting potency of Valium
Diazepam is about 4 times more potent than chlordiazepoxide. In the treatment of anxiety, the usual maximum dose of chlordiazepoxide is 100mg per day ie. about 25mg diazepam - which is probably an adequate dose for most people. Chlordiazepoxide comes in 5mg, 10mg and 25mg capsules. Chlordiazepoxide is not a good choice for people who require high doses of benzodiazepines.
>its so weak
It's ideal for people who respond well to low doses of benzodiazepines. Also, the 5mg capsules are very convenient for tapering.
>abuse by patients would be inhibited
Chlordiazepoxide has a gradual onset, it doesn't suddenly 'kick in'. This may result in a lower recreational value. Doctors see this as a bonus.
>alcohol detox
It's used a lot for detox here in the UK. If it really was so 'weak' it wouldn't be useful for detox.
>Valium became the default when Librium was released around 1959-1960 and Valium became the seller in 1962
I think Librium was popular for a long time.
Regards
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2006, at 21:53:34
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 15:20:23
Well no wonder it didn't work when I originally started on valium in the 70's. The doc tried to switch me to librium but nothing. Back to valium. It does lose it's relaxing properties over the years but they last for a lot of years not months. I'll be the rat that is the test subject. Love PJ O
Posted by yxibow on April 4, 2006, at 1:15:17
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 15:20:23
> Diazepam is about 4 times more potent than chlordiazepoxide. In the treatment of anxiety,5, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam, and http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/bzd.html, though we won't quibble :)
> I think Librium was popular for a long time.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/medicine/story/0,,1583671,00.html
And then it earned its bad reputation, but both have long half lives, Valium the longest, and thus less likely for abuse.
Posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2006, at 15:57:59
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on April 4, 2006, at 1:15:17
Hi Yxi
>5
You said 10, I said 4. Some people say 3. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. 4 seems like a reasonable compromise between 3 and 5. It's only an approximation of course, and shouldn't be taken too seriously. It will vary from person to person anyway.
>both have long half lives, Valium the longest, and thus less likely for abuse
Diazepam and chlordiazepoxide are both metabolised to desmethyldiazepam. The likelihood of 'abuse' doesn't generally have much to do with half life, it's got more to do with whether or not a drug 'kicks in' suddenly and rapidly or not. Drugs with a rapid onset of action have greater recreational value eg. alcohol.
Ed
Posted by yxibow on April 5, 2006, at 0:57:21
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on April 4, 2006, at 15:57:59
> Hi Yxi
>
> >5
>
> You said 10, I said 4. Some people say 3. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. 4 seems like a reasonable compromise between 3 and 5. It's only an approximation of course, and shouldn't be taken too seriously. It will vary from person to person anyway.Exactly. Some sources have said up to 10, thats why I said 10. I corrected to 5 from the first table in the dr-bob benzo list which I see as mostly accurate from my experience with benzodiazepines.
>
> >both have long half lives, Valium the longest, and thus less likely for abuse
>
> Diazepam and chlordiazepoxide are both metabolised to desmethyldiazepam. The likelihood of 'abuse' doesn't generally have much to do with half life, it's got more to do with whether or not a drug 'kicks in' suddenly and rapidly or not. Drugs with a rapid onset of action have greater recreational value eg. alcohol.Exactly, which is why Librium is used for alcohol abuse situations because it does not have nearly the kick and strength of Valium, which is why Valium really became the drug of choice of the brain child of Leo Sternbach.
However, Valium these days has lost its street value for the most part, this isnt the 70s -- Xanax is much higher I would bet.
And you're right about the metabolism, Librium has 4 metabolites though, that is just one of them. Valium has 3, two in common with Librium.
But that doesn't stop my belief that Ashton, or rather, the website that the person created who quotes her, is dangerous.
And being a UK site, it perhaps reflects the position of doctors in your country towards a medication class that while in some people can be habituated towards, helps millions of people around the world.
I still (yes I disclose that I take high dose Valium and thats a concern, but a possible necessity at the moment) believe that under the care of the right doctor, benzodiazepines are among the safest psychoactive drugs purely due to their very long history, over barbiturates, reducing the chance of overdosage.
As we examine drug classes closer and closer to the present, we are in a state of flux. TCAs, probably about the same, 50 years, with imipramine.
SSRIs, about 20-25 years, old line antipsychotics, 50 years, atypical antipsychotics, 40 years or so with Clozaril, around 10 years with Risperdal, and its followers.
Who knows what will be the drug of tomorrow -- but we can only estimate patient years in studies, in vitro -- in vivo of course is post marketing
Cheers
-- Jay
Posted by naughtypuppy on April 5, 2006, at 10:01:56
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » Sobriquet Style, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 13:53:18
Actually I've got a prn presription for chlordiazepoxide and can feel the effects fairly quickly (within a couple of hours). I didn't care for using it chronically though. It caused bruxism, anorgasmia and dental pain after a while. I discontinued entirely on my own accord. A good technique for tapering is to dissolve the capsule in 100ml of water and drink half of it every day. Next week, double the amount of water, but drink the same volume and so forth. This prevents you from having to buy different strengths just to wean yourself off the med (ever notice that different stregths are about the same price? defies logic doen't it?). No discontinuence symptoms whatsoever, so at least in my mind Ashton is just a fear monger who likes the attention. I can still use benzos prn with no problems.
Posted by ed_uk on April 5, 2006, at 13:44:17
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » ed_uk, posted by naughtypuppy on April 5, 2006, at 10:01:56
Hi
>Actually I've got a prn presription for chlordiazepoxide and can feel the effects fairly quickly (within a couple of hours).
A couple of hours is fairly slow compared with the rapid-acting benzos like Valium and Xanax. Most people feel them start to work in less than an hour.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on April 5, 2006, at 13:48:10
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » ed_uk, posted by naughtypuppy on April 5, 2006, at 10:01:56
>ever notice that different stregths are about the same price? defies logic doen't it?)
This is particularly true of a lot of very expensive new meds eg. 30 caps 200mg £60, 30 caps 400mg £60.
When it come to drugs like Viagra and Cialis, people can safe a lot of money if they purchase a pill splitter!
Regards
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on April 5, 2006, at 13:59:41
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on April 5, 2006, at 0:57:21
Hi Yxi
>Some sources have said up to 10, thats why I said 10
I never read that before! Most sources say 3 or 5! ......which is why I tend to say 4.
>Exactly, which is why Librium is used for alcohol abuse situations because it does not have nearly the kick and strength of Valium, which is why Valium really became the drug of choice of the brain child of Leo Sternbach.
But if someone is taking a benzo on a daily basis they don't need to feel it 'kick in'. They need a drug which provides continuous 24hr relief of anxiety. Chlordiazepoxide can fulfill this role for patients who do not require a high dose of a benzodiazepine. It doesn't really matter whether they are taking 20mg diazepam or 80mg chlordiazepoxide.
Diazepam is, as we have already noted, a better PRN than chlordiazepoxide. I wasn't recommending chlordiazepoxide as a PRN, I was simply suggesting that it was an alternative to diazepam in the treatment of chronic anxiety.
Ed
Posted by yxibow on April 6, 2006, at 1:20:53
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on April 5, 2006, at 13:59:41
> But if someone is taking a benzo on a daily basis they don't need to feel it 'kick in'. They need a drug which provides continuous 24hr relief of anxiety.True, you are correct -- I didn't mean the kick of Xanax, a more subtle one. I can notice differences between Valium and the previous Klonopin in terms more of anxiety relief. Maybe its the placebo syndrome, but if so, so what. And it does provide continuous 24 hour relief, past 24 hours actually though I take it twice daily because I took Klonopin twice daily too and the extra curve of onset at different times of the day helps, in my opinion. But that's just my case. Others will obviously vary tremendously since I have a special syndrome :/.
Chlordiazepoxide can fulfill this role for patients who do not require a high dose of a benzodiazepine. It doesn't really matter whether they are taking 20mg diazepam or 80mg chlordiazepoxide.
Mostly.... metabolites of diazepam are a little stronger I think, since Restoril is among them, I think it is not among Librium -- but no need to quibble. :)>
> Diazepam is, as we have already noted, a better PRN than chlordiazepoxide. I wasn't recommending chlordiazepoxide as a PRN, I was simply suggesting that it was an alternative to diazepam in the treatment of chronic anxiety.mmph... I would say Xanax or Ativan provides better PRN relief for onset time. Librium really is a fading drug, certainly here in the US I think except for some esoteric alcohol abuse reduction.
Posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2006, at 14:42:00
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on April 6, 2006, at 1:20:53
Hi Yxi
>I would say Xanax or Ativan provides better PRN relief for onset time.
I find that diazepam works more quickly than lorazepam.
>Librium really is a fading drug, certainly here in the US I think except for some esoteric alcohol abuse reduction.
Diazepam is a fading drug in the US too, but that does not mean that it's valueless!
Regards
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2006, at 19:03:50
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » yxibow, posted by ed_uk on April 6, 2006, at 14:42:00
Personal experience is the best indicator to me. I've taken them all at some point in my life. And valium definitely worked better taken three times a day although I take only twice a day now. And it doesn't provide relief for a panic attack sorry it just doesn't. But take a xanax and within l5minutes you feel the calming effects and I always took it up to 4-5 times a day for years by prescription. And klonopin nothing but depression . And librium even in the beginning didn't begin to touch anxiety. The very best if you want sleep too is chloral hydrate old but works for babies and elderly and is safe. just don't drink on it. And if you really want to stop a panic attack dead in it's tracks drink around 3-4 beers. In my opinion after over 30years the best antianxiety med is booze. And the l0 years I've wasted on AD's would have been saved had I continued drinking. But no the pharmacitical companies need to make money . So now everything is addictive so atypical antipsycotics. Back to alchohol first for me. I'd rather have l0 quality years of life then l0 year of +ell. Love Phillipa ps and they are not hard to get off of I've done it on my own more than once cause as your anxiety goes down you just don't need as high a dose of a benzo.And I forgot how the thread started just my rant for the day.
Posted by Sobriquet Style on April 7, 2006, at 8:04:17
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please! » Sobriquet Style, posted by ed_uk on April 3, 2006, at 13:53:18
>Have you ever tried chlordiazepoxide (Librium)?
No...
>Chlordiazepoxide is easier to taper than most benzos (similar to diazepam).
Thats seems a very good advantage.
>and so your doc may be more comfortable prescribing it.
Thats good to know. :-)
>Chlordiazepoxide is not a good PRN benzo, it doesn't 'kick in' as quickly as Xanax or Valium. It is, however, a logical choice if a benzo is to be taken daily for several weeks or more.
In some respects I think I could benefit from chlordiazepoxide. I think though, because I really want to avoid using a benzo daily, my first choice is diazepam, more so because of the PRN advantage and together with the long half-life, i'm hoping i'll only need to take it 2-3 days a week max. Guess I won't know till I try, but if valium doesn't work out too well, perhaps Librium when be my next choice. I really want to stay with as low dosage and weakest benzo's at all costs. I think my anxiety although servere at times, is mild other times, so just to fade out the unpleasent anxiety when needed will be a god send.
Thanks for the info :-)
~
Posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2006, at 17:05:49
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2006, at 19:03:50
>And valium definitely worked better taken three times a day although I take only twice a day now.
Librium would probably have worked just as well if you took an adequate dose. You'd need about 80mg Librium to substitute for 20mg diazepam. I doubt you were prescribed 80mg. 10mg three times a day is a common dose, but it's probably not enough.
>And it doesn't provide relief for a panic attack sorry it just doesn't.
Valium normally kicks in just as fast as Xanax. Don't forget than Xaxax is much more potent than Valium. 4mg Xanax is approximately equivalent to 40-80mg Valium. Not many people take 80mg Valium. I maintain than Valium can be effective for panic attacks.
Ed
Posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2006, at 17:35:37
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2006, at 19:03:50
J Clin Psychiatry. 1996 Aug;57(8):349-55.
Diazepam versus alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder.
Noyes R Jr, Burrows GD, Reich JH, Judd FK, Garvey MJ, Norman TR, Cook BL, Marriott P.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242-1000, USA.
BACKGROUND: Alprazolam has proven efficacy as a treatment for panic disorder, but the place of other benzodiazepines is less well established. METHOD: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of diazepam and alprazolam for the disorder, a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was undertaken in two sites. Two hundred forty-one subjects with panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks were randomly assigned to flexible doses of diazepam, alprazolam, or placebo for 8 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the trial, over 60% of subjects taking either diazepam or alprazolam were at least moderately improved compared with less than 30% of those taking placebo. On all measures of efficacy, subjects taking diazepam and alprazolam showed an equally favorable response. Despite some sedation early in the trial, both drugs were tolerated well. More severely ill subjects responded less well to either benzodiazepine. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that diazepam is an effective alternative to alprazolam for the treatment of panic disorder.
Posted by tizza on April 9, 2006, at 4:22:09
In reply to Diazepam in panic disorder, posted by ed_uk on April 7, 2006, at 17:35:37
hey Ed hows it going? I agree with you about xanax v's valium in it's effective properties for anxiety. I would choose valium anyday over xanax. You just need to give valium a go, it doesn't work as fast as xanax but it works way better in long term treatment for anxiety disorders than xanax ever will. Well it does for me anyway. Paul
Posted by ed_uk on April 9, 2006, at 12:39:01
In reply to Re: Diazepam in panic disorder » ed_uk, posted by tizza on April 9, 2006, at 4:22:09
Hi T!
Things are going ok in general :) ....but I just wasted most of the day in bed. Sunday is the only day when I don't work so I tend to sleep a lot on Sundays. I always feel bad if I don't get up all day. I feel like such a waster. I finally got out of bed at 6pm. I'm tired on Sunday's sure but I need to stop wasting the whole day. It's counterproductive because my night time sleep ends up disturbed and I feel worse on Monday as a result.
How are you doing?
>it doesn't work as fast as xanax
They both take about an hour to 'kick in' for me. The dose of Valium needs to be a lot higher to get the same relief. Valium is a good PRN provided that the dose is adequate - I always needed at least 10mg, usually more.
Kind regards
Ed
Posted by boveni3 on August 5, 2007, at 22:14:29
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » ed_uk, posted by yxibow on April 5, 2006, at 0:57:21
I found your logic alarming and am greatly concerned for your well-being.
"yes I disclose that I take high dose Valium and thats a concern, but a "possible" necessity at the moment"Of course you justify benzos. Possible necessity; don't you think you should be sure!
"I still believe that under the care of the right doctor, benzodiazepines are among the safest psychoactive drugs purely due to their very long history, over barbiturates, reducing the chance of overdosage."
If your boat is sinking slower than another, does that mean you're doing better?
You're addicted to a drug, but less likely to overdose, so that's ok?
I maintain my concern for you well-being and only wish you well.
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2007, at 22:30:14
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please, posted by boveni3 on August 5, 2007, at 22:14:29
My pdoc never even heard of her. After 35years of benzos not stopping even though I've developed some tolerance I don't raise the dose. Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on August 9, 2007, at 15:13:52
In reply to Re: Someone Prove Ashton Wrong!!!!!!!!!!....Please » boveni3, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2007, at 22:30:14
> My pdoc never even heard of her. After 35years of benzos not stopping even though I've developed some tolerance I don't raise the dose. Love Phillipa
They're starting to catch on though; Health Canada and the FDA have reaassessed the Schedule for benzos on their addicitive capacity.
Also, clonazepam can be taken for a long time without great tolerance, while others cannot.
Dr. Ashton is a specialist in the area. The fact that she has not been consulted 20 yrs. ago, does not mean that benzo addiction had not done considerable damage.
There is a great change now even in the pharma blurbs.
Squiggles
Posted by FredPotter on August 9, 2007, at 15:52:08
In reply to Tolerance to Benzo Anxiety Effects, posted by Sobriquet Style on March 30, 2006, at 7:28:25
I'm not sure how withdrawal symptoms appear even in the presence of the drug. Is this another way of saying tolerance and needing a progressively higher dose?
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