Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 741980

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Think the Real xanax Long Acting Acts Like an AD

Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 16:15:49

Now on long acting xanax as my only psych med. Cut the valium from 20mg to .5 in a week and now luvox no more. The xanax seems to act like an antidepressant. I think it builds up in your system slowly. Any one else think this could be true. As the short acting works very quickly. Maybe it's just me. Love Phillipa

Re: Think the Real xanax Long Acting Acts Like an

Posted by sukarno on March 19, 2007, at 13:59:12

In reply to Think the Real xanax Long Acting Acts Like an AD, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 16:15:49

Hi Phillipa. :-)

I'm glad to hear it is working out for you. Yes, I have experienced the same thing when I took Xanax. It has been established that Xanax does promote release of 5HT (serotonin) somewhat, so that could be the reason for its antidepressant effect. When Upjohn first marketed Xanax, they said it had an antidepressant effect and since then there's been some controversy about that. That said, I was told by my previous psychiatrist that it does indeed have antidepressant effects, but only in the higher doses, and he made it clear that he wouldn't prescribe me the higher doses.
There are reports of hypomania associated with Xanax too, so it's possible it does have a dual action. It could also be that since it works so well against panic that your mood increases as a result of that.

I hope it continues to work well for you. The XR version is a timed-release preparation. It still has the same half-life as the "old" Xanax, but it is just released slower in the gut to maintain a more even level in your body. The "old" Xanax was associated with problems such as interdose anxiety or rebound anxiety/panic. That's one of the reasons why I quit the "old" Xanax and switched to diazepam (Valium).

I really wish I could try Xanax XR, but it isn't available in my country unfortunately.

Good luck! :-)
Paul

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