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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theo on January 15, 2004, at 16:45:38
My doc suggested taking Xanax XR or Klonopin and left the decision up to me. I've never taken a benzo daily and was wondering which would produce the best results for anxiety? I am currently taking Paxil which works great but I have zero sex drive.
Posted by utopizen on January 15, 2004, at 21:08:28
In reply to Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by theo on January 15, 2004, at 16:45:38
> My doc suggested taking Xanax XR or Klonopin and left the decision up to me. I've never taken a benzo daily and was wondering which would produce the best results for anxiety? I am currently taking Paxil which works great but I have zero sex drive.
>Yeah, my p-doc suggested it to me. I'd go for the Xanax XR. I've got social anxiety disorder. P-doc said only concern is some insurance companies refuse to cover the XR, but mine does. I use to prefer the "control" of short-actingings, but now I just want more consistent relief.... I've been on Klonopin 3xday at 1mg per dose, less effective since the first few months I tried it now.
Posted by flyingdreams on January 16, 2004, at 15:19:50
In reply to Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by theo on January 15, 2004, at 16:45:38
Beware Xanax is highly addictive, and you will need higher doses to get the same effect. I had a horrible time with it and gettting off it.
Posted by utopizen on January 16, 2004, at 17:52:21
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by flyingdreams on January 16, 2004, at 15:19:50
> Beware Xanax is highly addictive, and you will need higher doses to get the same effect. I had a horrible time with it and gettting off it.
>Yeah, but I use to notice a huge change with my 1mg of Klonopin, and now don't. I don't take more than prescribed still, but it's nearly a placebo after several months of daily use to me. Never tried Xanax or others, but my doc said I'd likely be resistant to those as well.
Posted by Viridis on January 17, 2004, at 0:21:45
In reply to Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by theo on January 15, 2004, at 16:45:38
I take Klonopin (1 mg/day) and regular Xanax as needed (a few times a month). Klonopin consistently reduces anxiety/panic and I haven't needed a dosage increase in the 2 1/2 years I've been taking it.
Xanax works very well too, but I became quite tolerant to its effects and now need several times as much to achieve the same results. This isn't a problem, since I only take it occasionally (and have never tried the XR form). However, I'd try Klonopin first, as it has much less of a reputation for tolerance and other problems. Xanax is extremely effective; I just wouldn't want to use it on a regular basis. I find that regular use of Klonopin, with occasional Xanax for "breakthrough anxiety", works very well.
Good luck!
Posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 22:50:37
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by Viridis on January 17, 2004, at 0:21:45
Just wanted to give my 2 cents on tolerance to benzos- not everyone develops terrible addictions and/or tolerance to benzos. I came from an alcoholic family and have never had any addiction issues with any drug or medication - including meds like Xanax.
Alot of times I've heard of only one side regarding the issue of tolerance and addiction to these meds and I just wanted to say that there are an equal number who take Xanax for years without developing tolerance or addiction.
Please don't take this post as any sort of jab towards those who have had problems with addiction, etc - I just wanted to represent the other side of the coin.
thanks
Jerry
Posted by Viridis on January 19, 2004, at 2:33:27
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by jerrympls on January 17, 2004, at 22:50:37
I agree -- Xanax really is a very helpful med. I'm a little cautious with it since I did develop some tolerance, but it certainly hasn't caused addiction or any other problems, and my pdoc doesn't seem worried as long as my pattern of use doesn't change.
The vast majority of benzo users don't have any trouble -- it's just the ones who do that you hear about. I'm inclined to go with Klonopin first, since Xanax seems somewhat more likely to cause problems, but the level of risk (compared to the potential benefits) is still very low. Chronic stress is extremely debilitating, and I'll take benzos over anxiety any day.
Posted by tedar on January 19, 2004, at 19:42:57
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by Viridis on January 17, 2004, at 0:21:45
Xanax XR is definitely smoother than regular xanax. However in my opinion, Klonopin seems to be the better anxiolytic when mood stabalization with some agitation is a problem. Xanax Xr may be better when depression is more dominantly prevalent because it does seem to down regulate Beta receptors.
The ideal drug would be a combination of both because mood would stay smooth, but xanax Xr can give you a little slightly hypomanic boost.
Some Psychs have been known to Rx the two at the same time.
Posted by Viridis on January 19, 2004, at 22:19:27
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input., posted by tedar on January 19, 2004, at 19:42:57
My pdoc prescribes both Klonopin and Xanax for me -- Klonopin for daily use, and Xanax for especially stressful situations. I've had no problems taking both at the same time, but do limit use of Xanax since I developed some tolerance and don't want to give up the utility of this med. I've had no trouble with abuse, "addiction", etc. ,although I wouldn't want to quit the Klonopin suddenly. I use the Xanax so infrequently that going on and off it is no problem.
Xanax definitely has a mood-lifting effect -- not euphoria, just anti-depressant. Klonopin is essentially neutral in that it relieves the anxiety with no discernible "feeling" or side effects -- but it certainly reduces the depression that results from anxiety, and this is my main source of major depression.
Posted by tedar on January 19, 2004, at 22:55:44
In reply to Re: Xanax XR vs Klonopin, Need input. » tedar, posted by Viridis on January 19, 2004, at 22:19:27
> My pdoc prescribes both Klonopin and Xanax for me -- Klonopin for daily use, and Xanax for especially stressful situations. I've had no problems taking both at the same time, but do limit use of Xanax since I developed some tolerance and don't want to give up the utility of this med. I've had no trouble with abuse, "addiction", etc. ,although I wouldn't want to quit the Klonopin suddenly. I use the Xanax so infrequently that going on and off it is no problem.
>
> Xanax definitely has a mood-lifting effect -- not euphoria, just anti-depressant. Klonopin is essentially neutral in that it relieves the anxiety with no discernible "feeling" or side effects -- but it certainly reduces the depression that results from anxiety, and this is my main source of major depression.> It is good to see that you have an open minded Psych. The literature would certainly suggest the two be used in combination as necessary. I do believe one of the slight potential problems with Xanax is that it has been known to induce hypomania, although this is not significantly reported, but the disinhibition that one can feel on Xanax is often mistaken for, or feels like euphoria. I think both benzos have their place. It could be argued that Klonopin could be as beneficial to bipolar patients especially Bipolar 2, as it seems to calm and stabilize mood, without all of the burdensome side effects of say Depakote, topomax,tegretol etc. if and when it is dosed aggressively enough.
This is the end of the thread.
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