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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 9:54:40
Overall, which benzo is safest across the board with other meds, Valium or Xanax?
Posted by sunnydays on September 1, 2008, at 10:55:33
In reply to Valium or Xanax safest to combine with other meds?, posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 9:54:40
I don't know for sure, but your prescribing doctor would definitely know. Since that's the only way to get benzos, your best bet is to ask your doctor. I know that I take Xanax with Neurontin (gabapentin), Effexor XR, and Lamictal, so it's reasonably safe. But ask your doctor.
sunnydays
Posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2008, at 10:59:10
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax safest to combine with other meds? » theo, posted by sunnydays on September 1, 2008, at 10:55:33
As far as I know they are all safe have taken them all and sometimes two at a time. And with other meds. Phillipa ps some just have a longer half-life and last longer. Also luvox potentiates the effects of xanax and valium not ativan.
Posted by Nadezda on September 1, 2008, at 10:59:23
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax safest to combine with other meds? » theo, posted by sunnydays on September 1, 2008, at 10:55:33
From everything I've experienced, they're both pretty safe with most drugs.
The main difference is the half-life. Valium has a much longer half life and is therefore more likely to make you feel a little groggy for longer (if it makes you feel groggy), whereas xanax has a short half-life and is a greater risk for dependency.
Nadezda
Posted by med_empowered on September 1, 2008, at 12:25:04
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax safest to combine with other meds?, posted by Nadezda on September 1, 2008, at 10:59:23
but some docs, weirdly enough, would still rather rx xanax than valium, im guessing b/c of the whole "mother's little helpers" stigma attached to valium.
BZDs in general are pretty clean in terms of drug-drug interactions...I think Valium's selling points are the longer half life and the relative ease of tapering off of it if you choose to...xanax can be a beast to taper b/c of the short half+high potency.
Posted by sunnydays on September 1, 2008, at 13:34:30
In reply to id go for valium..., posted by med_empowered on September 1, 2008, at 12:25:04
I do find that, for me, Xanax lasts well into the morning when I take it at bedtime (1 mg). I think the half-life can vary for different people and it's probably a little longer for me.
sunnydays
Posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2008, at 20:17:56
In reply to Re: id go for valium..., posted by sunnydays on September 1, 2008, at 13:34:30
Yes it can know from experience. Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on September 2, 2008, at 6:07:45
In reply to Valium or Xanax safest to combine with other meds?, posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 9:54:40
> Overall, which benzo is safest across the board with other meds, Valium or Xanax?
Unless you're taking Clozaril, benzodiazepines generally work with most all medications.
Just be aware that stacking CNS depressants (if you have other AEDs) on board may make you more drowsy and affect reflex time with "heavy machinery" until you are used to it (or it may be that way all the time).
As noted by others, for longer term management the best is to use well tested benzodiazepines with long half lives, which would be Valium or Klonopin, depending which works for you. Klonopin tends to be more subtle.
This is so you can maximize a period of time when you don't habituate as Xanax has a very short half life and that sometimes contributes to a benzodiazepine becoming useless quicker if taken 24/7. Similarly Ativan though it has a longer half life than Xanax.
All will though, depending on your body and how you metabolize things and how lipophilic [fat absorbing] (I forget which ones, I think Xanax is more ?) the agent is, eventually cause habituation. Its an unknown amount of time -- it could be weeks or months or years.
In the end, there are better solutions for long term use if you can tolerate them for anxiety such as Paxil for example or if you respond to Lyrica or Neurontin, etc, and other medications.
I'm not against benzodiazepines, I just am talking (perhaps projecting) from personal experience, one I pitched [didnt dial down properly] when I didnt know that you do NOT do that if you've been on one for 24/7 use (Tranxene, I still have odd muscle dystonias more than 10 years later), and the other (Valium, which had a use at high dose) I am wrestling with after 4 years.
-- best wishes- Jay
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