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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2013, at 23:10:15
How strong is halcion. I thought it was stronger than benzos but is classified as one. I ask as Daughter prescribed it. I know I never took it. Is it safe? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by SLS on November 20, 2013, at 7:53:12
In reply to Halcion For Sleep?, posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2013, at 23:10:15
> How strong is halcion. I thought it was stronger than benzos but is classified as one. I ask as Daughter prescribed it. I know I never took it. Is it safe? Thanks Phillipa
Halcion (triazolam) is the most potent benzodiazepine for sleep initiation. However, it is prone to causing rebound awakenings because its half-life is so short (1 - 2 hours). Since you are already on Valium (diaazepam), you may sleep through the night without rebound effects. If not, Halcion and Ativan (lorazepam) taken together works great for severe insomnia, including that which occurs with MAOI treatment. The thing about Halcion that makes it a good drug for dental procedures is that the patient often has no memory of what has happened. This amnesia is similar to that which occurs with Ambien (zolpidem). It may or may not be problematic. I have absolutely no side effects with Halcion - at least none that I can remember.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2013, at 11:31:55
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on November 20, 2013, at 7:53:12
Scott I found out as she chatted on facebook last night late as she can't sleep. My worry is that her paternal Grandfather was the typical manic depressive which hit him in early 50's and she's 48. She is running half marathons at least weekly and the other day posted she ran a l0k in the am and then a half at Disney that night. She runs like a maniac in some running club. Is signed up to run half marathons almost monthly with daily running. And then the VP of a Bank. Had a scare with biopsy of breasts recently too. So when she said she was given Halcion for sleep I was shocked as she is totally anti meds. So what are your thoughts on this ? I really need some insight. As far as I know she takes no meds. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 20, 2013, at 18:22:16
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2013, at 11:31:55
I think it would atleast be worth her discussing the family history with her doc if the insomnia doesnt settle down in a week or so
Posted by Phillipa on November 20, 2013, at 20:13:58
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 20, 2013, at 18:22:16
Jon been going on for years now. It's all the running after a fx of pelvis that has me more worried. Why & how can one run so much and for so long and then not be able to sleep? Phillipa
Posted by SLS on November 20, 2013, at 22:09:02
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 20, 2013, at 18:22:16
> I think it would atleast be worth her discussing the family history with her doc if the insomnia doesnt settle down in a week or so
If organic brain syndromes and other medical conditions can be ruled-out, what would be your recommendations for treating refractory initial insomnia?
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2013, at 2:47:29
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by SLS on November 20, 2013, at 22:09:02
I wasn't actualy thinking of treating the insomnia SLS, more checking out whether she had any bipolar type thing happening
If I were a chronic insomniac, I think I'd want to treat with a benzo (say temazepam) alternated with an H1/5HT2A blocker (say quetiapine or doxepin) to prevent tolerance, take each med for 2 nights in rotation
Posted by SLS on November 26, 2013, at 6:37:31
In reply to Re: Halcion For Sleep?, posted by jono_in_adelaide on November 26, 2013, at 2:47:29
> I wasn't actualy thinking of treating the insomnia SLS, more checking out whether she had any bipolar type thing happening.
Good thought.
> If I were a chronic insomniac, I think I'd want to treat with a benzo (say temazepam)Temazepam (Restoril) sucks for sleep initiation. I was on a combination of triazolam (Halcion) for sleep initiation and lorazepam (Ativan) for sleep maintainance for well over a year. This treatment did not lead to tolerance and was not a horror to discontinue. Clonazepam (Klonopin), on the other hand, was a horror to discontinue. If sleep initiation is not an issue, then temazapam is a good choice. It has some weird pharmacokinetics, though, that believe are biphasic. Its half life is unpredictable. I like Ativan because I do not experience a hangover the next day. I tried temazepam. It was okay for sleep maintenance. I find lorazepam more effective for sleep initiation, as long as you take it about an hour before bedtime.
> alternated with an H1/5HT2A blocker (say quetiapine or doxepin) to prevent tolerance, take each med for 2 nights in rotation
Interesting protocol.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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