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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 EastC on January 12, 2011, at 21:30:34
Does anyone else notice that the triazolobenzodiazepines (such as Xanax) don't seem to cause the crushing depression that traditional benzos like Klonopin, Valium, Ativan and Restoril cause? I am on a very low maintenance dose of Xanax XR 3 times a day and am interested in a dose increase or a switch to Estazolam (ProSom) which has a much longer half life for my treatment resistant insomnia. I always thought I would never be able to be on benzos due to the depression brought on by the traditional ones but now I have hope. Please sound off (especially if you have experience with higher dosages of Xanax or ProSom).
Posted by SLS on January 13, 2011, at 3:31:04
In reply to Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by EastC on January 12, 2011, at 21:30:34
> Does anyone else notice that the triazolobenzodiazepines (such as Xanax) don't seem to cause the crushing depression that traditional benzos like Klonopin, Valium, Ativan and Restoril cause? I am on a very low maintenance dose of Xanax XR 3 times a day and am interested in a dose increase or a switch to Estazolam (ProSom) which has a much longer half life for my treatment resistant insomnia. I always thought I would never be able to be on benzos due to the depression brought on by the traditional ones but now I have hope. Please sound off (especially if you have experience with higher dosages of Xanax or ProSom).
Look to combine a short-acting potent BZD with a longer-acting less potent BZD. Triazolam (Halcion) will knock anyone out (except you, perhaps :-) ), and it is a triazalobenzodiazepine (TBZD) I agree that the TBZDs do not generally produce depression. Along with triazolam, you can add lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), or perhaps alprazolam (Xanax). When I reacted to Parnate and desipramine with total insomnia, the combination of triazolam and lorazepam did the trick. Most psychiatrists will be shy to prescribe triazolam. However, in your case, an aggressive approach may be necessary.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2011, at 12:30:31
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression » EastC, posted by SLS on January 13, 2011, at 3:31:04
In all honesty the long acting didn't work for me. But short traditional xanax does used to give energy 40 years later tired so only take at night with 5mg valium. It didn't change actions for me meaning to tiredness for over 30 years so works well for a long time. Has a low antidepressant factor also at least that is what's said and didn't once abuse them. Phillipa
Posted by sukarno on January 16, 2011, at 5:08:58
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2011, at 12:30:31
I've been on Xanax for years and have noticed that it too does not make me depressed like Valium or Klonopin. Klonopin definitely lowered my mood a lot worse than Valium.
I read that Xanax causes 5-HT (serotonin) release and also noradrenaline and acts on some receptor that I forgot the name of.
There was a 2007 double-blind placebo-controlled study in Japan where alprazolam (Xanax) was used as monotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder and it was effective.
A psychiatrist in the US told me that Xanax does have antidepressant effects but only in the higher doses and he said he wouldn't prescribe those doses. He would prescribe Klonopin with Zoloft though, but I declined.
Xanax makes me feel okay in the 4mg dosage range, but I never have developed a tolerance to the somnolence it produces. I feel somewhat sleepy and tired everyday. I suppose this could be due to lack of exercise but benzos in general are known to cause fatigue and daytime drowsiness.
Posted by hopefullynow on January 26, 2011, at 8:01:22
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression » EastC, posted by SLS on January 13, 2011, at 3:31:04
After 5 years of using 1-2 mg of Klonopin for sleep I realized that it made me depressed, so now i'm weaning of it.I plan to take Xanax and Stilnox (zolpidem) instead of Halcion which is not available in my country.Does zolpidem have a background of making people depressed?Could you compare Halcion with zolpidem?I know that Halcion is a short acting BZD and zolpidem is an hypnotic.
Thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on January 26, 2011, at 19:48:41
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by hopefullynow on January 26, 2011, at 8:01:22
Yes klonopin also depressed me badly have taken lunesta here and it didn't depress me weaker than Halcion although haven't taken that. Phillipa
Posted by Abby Cunningham on January 26, 2011, at 20:17:31
In reply to Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by EastC on January 12, 2011, at 21:30:34
I agree with you 100%. Xanax does not cause depression for me; in fact when it first came out it was advertized to doctors as having antidepressant properties (look it up).
When I tapered my dosage of xanax down from 3mg. to 1.mg., I used the longer acting diazepam and I became extremely depressed on that. I failed to taper completely due to this. If I taper alprazolam again, I will do a direct taper, as xanax seems to have a longer half-life for me than some other people. I can take my morning alprazolam at 7:00am and not take more until 9pm at night.
Posted by floatingbridge on January 30, 2011, at 10:11:22
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 26, 2011, at 20:17:31
Xanax & Valium have muscle relaxant properties other do not / may not have. I think that is why I feel xanax onset acutely. With anxiety and panic, I'm conditioned to expect relief w/in a few mins (10-20). CBT tries to avoid that response and 'psychological' dependence on a physiologically addictive substance.
Meantime, I need to call in my refill to my doctor, Dr. Pavlov ;-)
Posted by Laney on January 31, 2011, at 10:39:34
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by floatingbridge on January 30, 2011, at 10:11:22
Hey do you guys think that my 15 year usage of klonopin could be a contributing factor in my depression? I have always only taken one .5 mg. pill per day???
Thanks!
Laney
Posted by floatingbridge on January 31, 2011, at 17:12:33
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by Laney on January 31, 2011, at 10:39:34
Maybe a factor. I find it a depressant. I used it for maybe a year plus--same dose, .5mg. Switched to xanax xr. Just my experience. Best Laney. We've never posted directly.
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on January 31, 2011, at 17:15:41
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 26, 2011, at 20:17:31
Posted by sukarno on February 2, 2011, at 15:24:59
In reply to what does triazolo- mean? (nm), posted by floatingbridge on January 31, 2011, at 17:15:41
Triazolobenzodiazepines are BZD analogs. The triazole ring prevents the generation of long-acting metabolites (e.g. it causes the drug to be metabolized quickly. In other words, it will be short-acting).
Most, if not all, TBZDs end with "lam".
Alprazolam, estazolam, triazolam, etc.http://www.springerlink.com/index/w6219425527n6rt5.pdf
"Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine analog
characterized by a triazole ring. The
ring prevents the oxidative metabolism
responsible in other benzodiazepines
for the generation of long-lived metabolites
(Cohn 1981). In controlled trials, anxious
patients reported daytime sedation significantly
less frequently with alprazolam than with
equivalent doses of the longer-acting diazepam
(Evans 1983; Dawson et al. 1984)."
Posted by floatingbridge on February 2, 2011, at 17:30:43
In reply to Re: what does triazolo- mean?, posted by sukarno on February 2, 2011, at 15:24:59
Posted by bodhisattva_guy on February 5, 2011, at 20:17:24
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by Abby Cunningham on January 26, 2011, at 20:17:31
clonazapam definitely causes depression with long term use. I have experienced xanax produce similar depressive symptoms, which might be simply due to quick half life. Taking it once a day definitely made me feel restless once it has worn off. The effect itself of the drug is definitely not as depressing as clonazapam.
Posted by floatingbridge on February 5, 2011, at 21:42:15
In reply to Re: Triazolobenzos don't seem to cause depression, posted by bodhisattva_guy on February 5, 2011, at 20:17:24
Hi,
Isn't that referred to as rebound on xanax? I don't think it's the same as being a depressant. Though if rebound is significant, it could be destabilizing long term and therefore a 'depressant'?
Thoughts,
fb
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