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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
Hi to all,
I have this problem now. On Zoloft 100mg plus... ? Here is the problem. I have to make a choice right now. If I take Amisulpride 100mg, I am alright. If it is 1 mg of Xanax instead of amisulpride, still it is okay.
My doc is much happier with amisulpride, probably due to his benzophobia. But I have read many horror stories of antipsychotics like causing severe long-term side effects like TD or Neuroleptic malignant syndrom. Ah. My doc too confirms Xanax is much safer than an AP in regards to side effects.
What might be your suggestion? I have this both with me full month supply. If you are in my shoes what will you take? The atypical AP or Xanax?
Cheers
Posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2006, at 12:53:16
In reply to Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
Don't even have to think about that xanax. No side effects and no long term ones and it's not addictive emotionally as long as you follow your dose that is prescribed. Love Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on June 22, 2006, at 13:23:57
In reply to Re: Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better? » Pluto, posted by Phillipa on June 22, 2006, at 12:53:16
1mg Xanax is a pretty low dose...in general, benzo "addiction" isn't all that common. Xanax is infinitely safer than an AP.
Posted by valene on June 22, 2006, at 14:20:50
In reply to Re: Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by med_empowered on June 22, 2006, at 13:23:57
I agree with both posts above - definitely I would rather have the 1mg xanax rather than an AP.
Val
Posted by blueberry on June 22, 2006, at 19:56:14
In reply to Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
All meds have their longterm risks. With amisulpride 100mg, I do not think you would be at risk of abnormal movements or tardive stuff. Probably the only risk would be that someday you just become sensitized to it and it feels like it pooped out.
With xanax, the risk is that over time you develop tolerance and higher doses are needed. The risk is that if you ever get to a point where the dose is high, the side effects are high, but the effectiveness is low, then getting off of it would be month's of hell.
So there is risk with both. Just as an outside observer who has used both amisulpride and xanax (short term, not long term) my opinion is that amisulpride is the safer one for longterm use as long as the dose is at or near the range you are now. Get up into the 300mg or higher range and you might see longterm antipsychotic problems creep in.
Posted by Greif on June 23, 2006, at 8:27:00
In reply to Re: Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by blueberry on June 22, 2006, at 19:56:14
I tried Zyprexa for 30 days. Yuch..side effects and no benefits. You can try it and it may work for you. My two cents. Ask if he would consider Klonopin rather than Zanax. Talerance to zanax builds up quickly and 1 mg becomes 2 ten 3 to get same effect. i have been down that road with Z and with ativan. K has more benign effects and takes awhile to adjust to, but I have neer had to up my dose. Zanax and Ativan have such short half lifes that after a few months you feel withdrawl in around 4 hrs but have to wait until next scheduled dose. I found it worked great but found the constant need to be timing doses very uncomfortable. Good luck.
Posted by Emme on June 23, 2006, at 8:52:42
In reply to Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
My personal vote would be Xanax first, then an AP if that doesn't cut it. I've used Xanax for a few years with no need for dose escalation and no withdrawal symptoms if I don't take it (YMMV). At times when a benzo was not enough, a tiny dose of Seroquel got the job done very nicely.
emme
Posted by valene on June 23, 2006, at 10:49:32
In reply to Re: Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Greif on June 23, 2006, at 8:27:00
I for one have been on xanax (alprazolam) for over 20 years and have not built a tolerance the highest I ever took was 3mg. and now I am at about half that dose. Also I can go for many hours before taking my next dose.
> I tried Zyprexa for 30 days. Yuch..side effects and no benefits. You can try it and it may work for you. My two cents. Ask if he would consider Klonopin rather than Zanax. Talerance to zanax builds up quickly and 1 mg becomes 2 ten 3 to get same effect. i have been down that road with Z and with ativan. K has more benign effects and takes awhile to adjust to, but I have neer had to up my dose. Zanax and Ativan have such short half lifes that after a few months you feel withdrawl in around 4 hrs but have to wait until next scheduled dose. I found it worked great but found the constant need to be timing doses very uncomfortable. Good luck.
Posted by neo on June 23, 2006, at 13:06:03
In reply to Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
Hi Pluto!
What do you mean by:
<If I take Amisulpride 100mg, I am >>alright>>. If it is 1 mg of Xanax instead of amisulpride, still >>it is okay>>.>
Could you express better the different effects that these two (really very different) drugs produce in your experience?
I think it could help to answer better to your question.Thanks.
neo
Posted by bassman on June 23, 2006, at 16:42:46
In reply to Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better?, posted by Pluto on June 22, 2006, at 10:16:13
Xanax, easy choice for safety. I've taken it for 10 years-an excellent, safe med. I don't trust the new, "let's use an AP for everything" philosophy, personally. Withdrawal from Xanax may/may not be unpleasant, but better than the possibilities with an AP.
Posted by Pluto on June 25, 2006, at 3:20:41
In reply to Re: Antipsychotic or Xanax Which Could be Better? » Pluto, posted by neo on June 23, 2006, at 13:06:03
Hi Neo and all who answered me,I thank you all for your invaluable suggestions. Neo has asked a question, so let me answer it.
100mg Amisulpride, effects are subtle but pleasant. No drugged feeling, but no anxiety too. Produced a sense of well being in the first two days which stopped but anxiolysis remains.
PS: Skipping one day brings back all the anxieties. Very difficult per se.1 mg of Xanax: Well, like I have sipped full glass of red wine. Little euphoric, want to talk, socialize, but feel little tired.
No anxiety, but kinda feeling like anxiety is blocked somewhere.
No problem to skip doses. Original symptoms return not any additional problems.I don't know whether the eurphoriant effects will remain or go away. But I don't need to drink if I take Xanax. Both gives me same effect though effects of Xanax is lasting longer. Advantageous for my purse too. One pill does the trick, otherwise one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon!!!!!
Nay. I really like Xanax.Cheers
This is the end of the thread.
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