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Xanax and Kava Kava

Has anyone used kava kava to ease the withdrawals effects of Xanax?
I have been searching in the web and some places says to do not take with Xanax, while others says it helps to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of Xanax.
Kava Kava is from the roots of certain shrub that is native to the islands of the Pacific and has been used for centuries as a social drink, it relaxes, is a mild sedative and muscle relaxer, kind like alcohol in low levels, there is no side effects or dependency, and is legal.
Any input is appreciated .
Bob
22 Responses
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Avatar universal
Kava works great for the ease of Xanax withdrawal. It relieves stress and anxiety caused from panic disorder and anxiety disorders caused from PTSD and other known issues. People that mention that Kava "destroys" your liver are incorrect. If you purchase legitimate Kava then you shouldn't worry about it doing any harmful effects to your body. Of course, those who have had health complications due to Kava were abusing it, which when you abuse any altering substance, negative effects can come from it. Please use with respect, and don't over use or abuse. Also excessive amounts of Alcohol or other Drugs that can harm the liver shouldn't be taken with excessive amounts of Kava. Just use in moderation, and use the recommended dosage and you wont have any complications at all. This truly is a Anti-Anxiety medication. The best part of it is that there is no prescription required. You could probably find Kava online if you search google, if your local stores stopped carrying it. It's definitely a great healthy alternative to benzodiazepine and will do no damage to your body if used in moderation/correct dosage.
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Avatar universal
The Kava Kava liver damage is related to bad manufacturing practices--make sure you know what your buying: clean, organic if possible, no stems or leaves-only root.  N Acetyl Cysteine is very good for liver toxicity issues-especially Acetamenophren.  FDA does have warnings out about Kava Kava because of bad info/usage problems, but it is still available.  Use it smartly, & slowly to start, & watch yourself.  Also, it might not hurt if you have serious concerns to consult a naturopath who can guide you to safe solutions.
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617347 tn?1331293081
so it has worked for you very soon and that's good, Bob, you've been having a lot of problemas before with the sleeping . Give it a try then... I read information similar yesterday  to that you've written, they're not conclusive to this day and in any case, we have to be careful with whatever we take even if its from a pharmacy  OTC ( in fact, they're my "dealers" since almost every codeine stuff is sold OTC  here and i have the temptation every day living in front of me , hope the new law will take all of them from the shelves...) .
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Avatar universal
Well, I searched the FDA website and they mention the recall of Kava Kava in Europe,not USA. They also mention of cases with liver damage(25) and one of them needed transplant. That report date back to 2001 and encourage to report any liver problem that might be associated with the use of Kava, but no recall has been issued till today.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Nauty, I received it yesterday, from a health online store, not a drug store that sell every kind of pills.It seems to work, at last last night I had no anxiety and slept like a baby from 12:00AM till 6:00AM, then went back to sleep and woke up at 10:00AM. The muscle cramps are still there but a little less, looks like the Kava has a muscle relaxing effect also.
What I read on the web: some sites claims that can damage your liver if you use it heavily and for a long period of time, some others places claims that has no effect on the liver. I'll send you both a PM telling you where I got it.
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617347 tn?1331293081
helping you now, i meant, with the detoxing thing ... (sorry )
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617347 tn?1331293081
ouh..btw milk thistle do wonders for the liver :)))


have you been taking it  for a long  time or as a short cure or  is it helping you, helpinutah?

and everybody here take garlic in winter for the colds too ( good for infections usw )
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611067 tn?1458591483
Nauty:
Yes, I saw it at Walmart last week when I purchased some Milk Thistle and Garlic.  I use that for my pancreas.  I then went to a health food store in Salt Lake and saw it on the shelf there as well.  Maybe they just haven't gotten the word to take them off the shelf?  Good luck finding some!
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Avatar universal
Oh, boy......You say you say it at Walmart?  well I certainly wouldn't purchase it from there because its probably a crappy form, but now I am going to be calling around. I used Kava years ago and I like it.  It's certainly not xanax, but i produces a slight calming effect after taking it for a period of time.  I guess it may need to invade your liver first......I didnt' notice effects until about day 2 or 3.......

Im a searching for Kava .....ASAP.  Sure BoB you can get anything online.....scary.

luv,
Nauty..........
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Avatar universal
I am in California and went to GNC and was told the FDA has pulled it off the market..OTC ......good luck finding it and if you do find it OTC...will you please let me know.  Kava Kava also play havoc on the liver so please be careful.

Luv,
Nauty..............
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611067 tn?1458591483
Good luck Bob!
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563594 tn?1309583132
thanks, and do let me know how it works for you. I'm a shaky mess. tapered down to 1mg a day now. not going that well, looks like I HAVE to taper off all the way over the next 4 weeks, because my doctor suggested rehab as my only other option. crazy behavioral health lady...ugh!! So, panic anxiety city here I come.. good luck and take care!!
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617347 tn?1331293081
ok then, Bob :)
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611067 tn?1458591483
It is still on the shelves.  I just saw it at my local health food store the other day.  I also saw it at my Walmart!
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Avatar universal
Laurel, I just got the Kava Kava pills from a Health Online Store. Yes, I read those reports too, but if you keep on searching others sites says is not harmful and is non addictive, some of them reports liver damage due to previous history of hepatitis or cirrhosis, of the use and abuse of alcohol. Some warn about not taking with any benzo, yet others come to conclusions that helps in the easing of the withdrawal symptoms of benzo. they also mention the use of this root in beverage(non fermented) in the islands of the South Pacific for centuries, mentioning that since the 19th century some studies have been done about such plant and the fact that no cases of liver damage is found in the natives of the island.
What I mean is that this is still inconclusive and not well studied. I'm gonna give a try and keep you posted.
Thanks
Bob
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617347 tn?1331293081
ok, i've just googled a little bit and she was not so wrong, there is some risk concerning the liver and some reports in europe speak about it but it has not been probed or in any case, the risk gets so mostly  if drinking alcohol too . I think that's the reason why  it's not sold in some places...

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617347 tn?1331293081
i remember now  that it was nauty one...(oh oh ,  **) in a thread about anxiety

it was what she was told at the drugstore, anyway, i think, so she was also mislead then by them.

but i'm sticking with th valerian as far as it's working for me. but good luck with the kava kava then, bob if you try it once you have the information you're asking now, sure.
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Avatar universal
Sure, Manda, I'll let you know as soon as I get it and use it.Hope you are doing well.
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563594 tn?1309583132
let me know how it works for you if you get some!
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Avatar universal
Someone mislead you on information, Kava Kava is still sold OTC and is still widely sold in USA, Canada and Europe.
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617347 tn?1331293081
huummm  i'm trying to remember who was the person but last days someone told kava kava was no longer sold OTC or sold at all.... I  think is quite similar to the valerian root, the one i'm taking and it's working with me in those aspects you have commented ( sedative, relaxer and for the anxiety ). I don't know about the interactions with xanax.
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611067 tn?1458591483
I'm not sure you can take Kava Kava at the same time as Xanax.  I know someone once who was taking Paxil with Kava Kava along with some other medications and he ended up in the hospital and almost died.  Can you call your doctor and find out or is your doctor not into herbal remedies?  Another source would be a natural healer if you could find someone in your area.  They know about how to use herbs with other medications.  

Good luck.  I wish I had the answer for you.  Be careful!!!

Helpful - 0
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