xanax

[chadry]

I have been doing alot of reading here about xanax and how it is not good for long term use.  I take half of a 0.5 mg tablet at night before I go to sleep. Mostly just to relax me enough to get a few hours sleep. I do n ot require alot of medicine and a few times I have had to take a quater of one during the day. I have been doing this for a few months. I know how xanax makes me feel and I have tried so many other meds that have had too many side effects. I have gone to bed at night without the xanax and have had no problems. Do you think this is ok. I was given the xanax because of back and neck problems I have and the anxiety that is coming from this. It also relaxes me so I can sleep a few hours pain free. What is anyone's opinion about this. I have had anxiety attacks for over 20 years now on and off. I took xanax years ago with side effects when I stopped.
thanks,
Chadry

[RCA7591]

Eventually, the 0.25 mg dose of Xanax will stop working (you'll build up a tolerance to its effects). It usually occurs in about four months. Xanax is indicated for short term use only, or for intermittent use.

5 mg of Valium is a better option. Valium has strong muscle relaxant properties, and may help with your neck and back issues. It would help you sleep longer as well. The risk of tolerance is also much lower (almost zero at this dose, taken once daily).

-Ryan

[chadry]

I had to go to the er last week for severe shoulder pain. They gave me half a 5mg valium and I really felt it. It was very relaxing. She sent me home with a script for I believe 2 mg. valium. I ended up getting the generic brand and I tried it 2 nights. It did nothing. I called the pharmacy and she told me it was the same exact drug. All it did was give me wierd images in  my head. I could not sleep until the pill wore off.It was really strange. I think next time I go to the doc I will ask for valium but not the generic. They have to specify I was told not to give the generic. Thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.
Chadry

[RCA7591]

2.5 mg of Valium is an extremely low dose (equal to 0.125 mg of Xanax). 2 mg is even lower (equal to 0.100 mg of Xanax). The dose of Xanax that you are currently on (0.25 mg) is equal to 5 mg of Valium, thus my reason for recommending 5 mg of Valium.

2 mg is simply not effective, and this dosage is usually reserved for the elderly or the debilitated. 5 mg is more effective, and is the more commonly prescribed dosage.

When buying Roche products (Klonopin, Librium, Valium), specify name brand if your insurance will pay for brand. The generics vary +/- 20% in potency. Notice how hospitals always use name brand Valium (with the V punchout).

-Ryan

[Toxicologist420]

If you can function normally and sleep okay without any medications, then you should try to. But if not, and xanax isn't working, there are other benzodiazepines out there that are either stronger (like the others said) or a stronger dose. But benzodiazepines are very addicting and are not commonly used in long term treatment of anxeity.

[RCA7591]

" But benzodiazepines are very addicting"

No, they are not. There is a distinct difference between dependency and addiction. I suggest that you research the two terms for clarity. Folks using these drugs for anxiety are using them for a legitimate medical purpose, not for their abuse potential.

"But benzodiazepines are very addicting and are not commonly used in long term treatment of anxeity."

They are absolutely warranted for the long term treatment of anxiety disorders, more so than any other pharmacological agent. Those with longer half-lives such as Klonopin/Librium/Valium work on the principal of "steady-state" and accumulation, and those are the Benzodiazepines that are indicated for the long term management of anxiety disorders.

By "stronger dose", I hope you're not suggesting to increase the dosage of Xanax. If you are truly a "Toxicologist", you would understand that Xanax carries a 4-6 hour half-life, and that it does not accumulate. No accumulation = tolerance to the effects of the drug. Therefore, Xanax is indicated only for the short term, or p.r.n use only.

-Ryan