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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saturn on January 5, 2007, at 0:44:19
Can Valium or Klonopin be (effectively) taken once daily?
All things being equal, which would be better for such dosing, Valium (half life 20-100 hrs with active metabolite of 36-200 hrs) or Klonopin (half life 18-50 hrs, no active metabolite, I believe)?
Would Valium be easier to withdraw from?
Also, if someone is relatively naive to benzos, might it be possible to do well on a once daily dose of 2.5-5 mg Valium per day?
I realize it's a baby dose but sometimes it seems just nipping anxiety in the bud at the start of the day can keep it at bay for the entire day.
Thanks...Peace...Saturn.
Posted by Farkus on January 5, 2007, at 7:04:55
In reply to Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin, posted by saturn on January 5, 2007, at 0:44:19
I think the differences in the "liking" of a particular benzo versus another is very individual and comes down to a best fit even taking into account the ones you mention are both long acting.
I was on Klonopin for quite a while and found I needed to dose twice a day. My dosing was at the lower end / sometimes subtherapeudic but that's what worked for me. If quelling your AM anxiety works for you for the day then once a day dosing may indeed be workable for you.
Posted by liliths on January 5, 2007, at 10:57:57
In reply to Re: Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin » saturn, posted by Farkus on January 5, 2007, at 7:04:55
for what it's worth, I had a pdoc tell me to take klonopin over valium. He seemed to think it was longer lasting and attributed break-through anxiety to it
just 'his' 2¢
that said I've been on a fairly low dose of klonopin for years without any problems - I've tapered down at times w/o side effects - just went slow.
I used to be on 4mg a day - in divided doses
(1mg am-1mg afternoon-2mg pm)I now only take 2-1/2mg a day
(1mg am - 1-1/2mg pm)before I ever started it, a friend gave me a 1mg pill - she was a psychiatric nurse - but what I remember her telling me was that if it got me 'high', I probably didn't need it. If I didn't really feel anything from it, I probably did. Obviously I didn't feel a thing.
Haven't a clue as to the validity of that statement but it could be why I've never had any problems with it ?
good luck!
namaste,
lilith> I think the differences in the "liking" of a particular benzo versus another is very individual and comes down to a best fit even taking into account the ones you mention are both long acting.
>
> I was on Klonopin for quite a while and found I needed to dose twice a day. My dosing was at the lower end / sometimes subtherapeudic but that's what worked for me. If quelling your AM anxiety works for you for the day then once a day dosing may indeed be workable for you.
>
Posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2007, at 11:05:04
In reply to Re: Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin » Farkus, posted by liliths on January 5, 2007, at 10:57:57
I found klonopin depressing and valium less so all said my pdoc referred to klonopin as an antiseizure med yesterday. I realize valium is also. Wonder why she singled klonopin out? I think if new to valium and it works 5mg a day is great. Love Phillipa. ps I take my valium at bedtime only.
Posted by dbc on January 8, 2007, at 6:05:41
In reply to Re: Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin, posted by Phillipa on January 5, 2007, at 11:05:04
I've done both ends of the spectrum as far as long acting (klonopin) and short acting such as xanax. I prefer the middle of the road like ativan these days, it seems to work and doesnt make my doctor uncomfortable the way xanax does.
Posted by sdb on January 8, 2007, at 19:43:12
In reply to Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin, posted by saturn on January 5, 2007, at 0:44:19
> Can Valium or Klonopin be (effectively) taken once daily?
>
> All things being equal, which would be better for such dosing, Valium (half life 20-100 hrs with active metabolite of 36-200 hrs) or Klonopin (half life 18-50 hrs, no active metabolite, I believe)?
>
> Would Valium be easier to withdraw from?
>
> Also, if someone is relatively naive to benzos, might it be possible to do well on a once daily dose of 2.5-5 mg Valium per day?
>
> I realize it's a baby dose but sometimes it seems just nipping anxiety in the bud at the start of the day can keep it at bay for the entire day.
>
> Thanks...Peace...Saturn.Hi saturn,
if you start the valium at a tiny dosage it could first increase anxiety a little (paradoxical reaction). After continued use when the valium and metabolite concetrations rise there will be an anxiolitic effect.
kind regards
sdb
ps. The best example was my father having a knee meniscus surgery. He was very nervous so valium was used. But valium made him much more nervous than before. After the question, "Do you have a cat?..tell me something" he began to sleep...
Posted by karlak13 on January 10, 2007, at 16:50:42
In reply to Re: Low dose (and long term) Valium vs Klonopin, posted by dbc on January 8, 2007, at 6:05:41
I to have tried all three meds and prefer ativan. Klonopin didn't even effect me. I loved xanax but my dr wasn't comfortable giving it to me longer than a year so I am on ativan. I am glad you found something you like that helps.
This is the end of the thread.
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