Posted by rmshed on June 29, 2001, at 23:23:35
In reply to Benzodiazepine Tolerance, posted by PaulB on June 28, 2001, at 17:26:19
> PaulB wrote:
>
> I wanted to find out about the causes of the tolerance that can occur when exposure to a benzodiazepine is given for longer period of time. Going back to basics, benzodiazepines exert their anxiolytic, amnesic, muscle-relaxant, hypnotic and sedative effects by binding to the omega receptors and thus potentiating the brain natural supply of GABA. Can anyone tell me whether the tolerance that may occur with longer term exposure to these drugs is caused by a decrease in the sesitivity and/or no of bz omega reptors or lowered levels of the brain own supply of natural GABA that the benzodiazepines potentiate.
>
> I would appreciate to hear from all those people who have experience and knowledge of this type of psych-babble and look forward to seeing the responses I get
> Take care
> PaulBPaul: My experience with benzodiazepines has been fairly text book. I maxed out several years ago taking 4mg of Xanax per day. That was considered a theraputic dose for me. It was hard to taper down to 2.25 mg per day that I am on now. I read in a book called "Anxiety and Phobia Handbook" that the tolerance may be down in the liver. Your liver never gets rid of xanax (benzo) by making enzymes which destroy the benzo. After you are on a benzo for awhile, your liver gets confused when you add more benzos and makes more enzymes to destroy the benzos. I have read that when you decrease your dose of benzodiazepine it must be very slowly because it takes your liver a long time to stop making the enzymes that kill the benzodiazepines. I have a very low level of GABA production and that it also takes awhile for the brain to produce more GABA. Although most of this is way over my head, I know understand about the need to increase benzodiazepines. If I had it to do all over again, I would try to find another drug that works with anxiety and panic disorder, my body is dependent on benzodiazepines.
poster:rmshed
thread:68279
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010625/msgs/68434.html