xanax dosage question
Question:
snipped As far as ProSom (estazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Mogadon (nitrazepam), etc. go – these aren’t any better than any other benzo for sleep; it’s totally a matter of marketing. Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are used for sleep a lot as well.
When I first developed PD I was on 5mg of Valium 3 times a day for some weeks while tests were being done to rule out other causes. For the first 2 weeks I slept about 20 hours in every 24, but by the end of the fourth week they were having only a slight sedating effect. Mogodon OTAH was still capable of putting me out cold for nearly 24 hours and it took another day to regain normal alertness. In my case at least this is not a med I want to mess with!! -elizabeth
Ian
Response:
deletethis writes: When I first developed PD I was on 5mg of Valium 3 times a day for some weeks while tests were being done to rule out other causes. For the first 2 weeks I slept about 20 hours in every 24, but by the end of the fourth week they were having only a slight sedating effect. Mogodon OTAH was still capable of putting me out cold for nearly 24 hours and it took another day to regain normal alertness. In my case at least this is not a med I want to mess with!!
Heh – try Zyprexa (olanzapine)! Low doses: nice and calming. Higher doses (for me, 10mg or so): out like a light. -elizabeth
Response:
writes: Dalmane also. It is a strong hypnotic as well as a sedative, with a very long half-life. It can’t be used unless you’re willing to lose the next day.
It’s no "stronger" than any other benzo – it’s a YMMV thing which one will work for a particular person. Since Dalmane is marketed as a hypnotic, the doses recommended are probably high relative to equipotent benzos marketed as anxiolytics. I’ve never tried Dalmane, but Valium and Librium are examples of long-half-life benzos that are not sedating for me at all – although there are many people who take Valium as a sleeping pill. Also, because of poor distribution, most benzos don’t have a *duration of action* that’s as long as you would expect from their half-lives, and this is variable from drug to drug as well. There is more to qualitative differences between benzos than just marketing, or half-life. Each one has its unique properties, that may make it the right med for any particular person. IMO this field is wide open. We just don’t know enough about why people have differing reactions to drugs in the same pharmacological class.
They do have differences, but it’s impossible to say "this is a more sedating benzo in general than others" about any one benzo – what you can say is "this one is more sedating *for a particular person* than others." -elizabeth
Response:
You *can* (probably will, actually) develop tolerance to Xanax if you’re taking it for *insomnia* (i.e., as a sedative), though. Benzos aren’t very good meds for long-term insomnia for this reason. That is exactly what Xanax is prescribed to me for–a sleep aid—Im also taking 40mgs of Prozac a day for deppression (first time on any type of AD) Anyone think of a better sleep aid??? I am to take 1mg at night before bed but usually take half a pill—sometimes a whole pill…. Thanks for any response
Xanax is totally unsuited as a sleeping aid. So are most other benzos. Ambien is the med of choice. If that doesn’t work for some exotic reason you might want to try Trazodone, an antidepressant in its own right but often prescribed at a los dose as an adjunct med for sleeping. IMO. FWIW. Philip
Response:
writes: This is not necessarily true. Xanax, especially prn, can have a sedative effect and aid sleep.
I agree; if you don’t have insomnia all the time, Xanax is reasonable. I’ve used it for this, in fact. However, I think that if you use it every day, there’s a good chance it will stop working and you will experience rebound insomnia, though…I’m not so convinced that this will take that long (half-life of Xanax is around 11 hours). As far as ProSom (estazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Mogadon (nitrazepam), etc. go – these aren’t any better than any other benzo for sleep; it’s totally a matter of marketing. Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan are used for sleep a lot as well. (Klonopin is also used for some types of sleep disorders (parasomnias) – I used it when my REM sleep behavior disorder was bad, but Parnate controls that now.) -elizabeth
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] Xanax is totally unsuited as a sleeping aid. So are most other benzos. Ambien is the med of choice. If that doesn’t work for some exotic reason you might want to try Trazodone, an antidepressant in its own right but often prescribed at a los dose as an adjunct med for sleeping. IMO. FWIW. Philip Philip, This is not necessarily true. Xanax, especially prn, can have a sedative effect and aid sleep. It may not the best benzo if all that is wanted is a sedative effect. When I saw a sleep specialist for insomnia, he wanted me to stop using Ambien as a sedative and switch to estazolam, which is a benzo used often as a sedative. Restoril is another benzo often used as a sleep aid. Dalmane is yet another benzo used as a sedative, although I would not recommend using this one unless you’re planning to sleep for about 2 days. Tolerance to sedative effects of Xanax will likely take a very long time to develop (if at all) if it’s only taken once a day at bedtime. In order to develop tolerance, you really need to be on a steady dose, several times daily, at least according to the docs I’ve talked to. Time to remember YMMV. Xanax is a perfectly reasonable sedative, although based on the advice of the sleep specialist I talked to, estazolam might be better. Please exercise great care when telling someone not to use a med prescribed by his doctor. If Xanax is the right med for this particular individual’s sleep problem, he should not be discouraged from using it. Moe
I stand corrected. You are quite right. When thinking benzos are bad sleeping aids compared to other meds I really erroneously thought only of benzos used for PD while my own mother has been taking nitrazepam for years with good results. I also agree that Xanax may be the right med for someone although I have a hard time believing it’s a first choice med in this respect. But, as you say, YMMV. Rereading my own post I find it much too lapidary. Thanks for setting this straight. Philip
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Well here’s a simple answer — If three mg’s of Xanax works for you, than yes it’s a normal dose. Thank you! Your Welcome!
::smile:: Thanks for the supportive post. And it’s true. All meds are a YMMV thing. Like "Death" said, if 3 mgs works for you, then it’s the right dose. Regards, Jen
Response:
Hi Philip, I meant that I can take up to 3 mgs of xanax a day as necessary. Thanks, roja – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m on celexa 40 mgs (works wonderfully), and just started depakote at 250 mgs at night. My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you! Do you mean by *as needed* that you take 3 mgs of Xanax when a PA is coming on? That sounds like a lot to me. Or do you mean that you take it regularly throughout the day to a total dose of 3 mgs (for instance 3 doses of 1 mg)? That would be standard practice. If you want to lower the dose there is no reason why you shouldn’t experiment with it. Philip roja
Response:
I have taken 2.5 mgs a day for several years but everyone is diffrent. I know someone in a group I attend that took 6mg a day. Though I wouldnt approve that much everyone is diffrent and it is important to remember that xanax is very addictive and the more you take the more your body develops a tolerance….making you need more. But if you take it as needed and safely you can go with the same dose for as long as you need. But of course….a doctor would be the best place to get the answers to your questions concerning meds. Xanman – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Philip, I meant that I can take up to 3 mgs of xanax a day as necessary. Thanks, roja I’m on celexa 40 mgs (works wonderfully), and just started depakote at 250 mgs at night. My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you! Do you mean by *as needed* that you take 3 mgs of Xanax when a PA is coming on? That sounds like a lot to me. Or do you mean that you take it regularly throughout the day to a total dose of 3 mgs (for instance 3 doses of 1 mg)? That would be standard practice. If you want to lower the dose there is no reason why you shouldn’t experiment with it. Philip roja
Response:
I have taken 2.5 mgs a day for several years but everyone is diffrent. I know someone in a group I attend that took 6mg a day. Though I wouldnt approve that much everyone is diffrent and it is important to remember that xanax is very addictive and the more you take the more your body develops a tolerance….making you need more. But if you take it as needed and safely you can go with the same dose for as long as you need. But of course….a doctor would be the best place to get the answers to your questions concerning meds. Xanman
Dear Xanman, With all due respect I have to contradict this once more. It is *very rare* that PD-sufferers develop a tolerance for Xanax and need more and more. It happens but those are the exceptions to the rule. Also see ASAp’s back pages for many discussions of alleged *addiction* vs *dependence*. Here are two URL’s: http://www.cme-reviews.com/PP698_Silberman.html http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html where benzodiazepine use and prejudices are discussed as well as how to wean off Xanax. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Philip, I meant that I can take up to 3 mgs of xanax a day as necessary. Thanks, roja I’m on celexa 40 mgs (works wonderfully), and just started depakote at 250 mgs at night. My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you! Do you mean by *as needed* that you take 3 mgs of Xanax when a PA is coming on? That sounds like a lot to me. Or do you mean that you take it regularly throughout the day to a total dose of 3 mgs (for instance 3 doses of 1 mg)? That would be standard practice. If you want to lower the dose there is no reason why you shouldn’t experiment with it. Philip roja
Response:
With all due respect I have to contradict this once more. It is *very rare* that PD-sufferers develop a tolerance for Xanax and need more and more. It happens but those are the exceptions to the rule.
I have to "me too" this post 
It’s true: people taking therapeutic doses of Xanax for anxiety or panic don’t develop a tolerance except for very occasionally. (People taking antidepressants also very occasionally develop tolerance, or the med "poops out.") You *can* (probably will, actually) develop tolerance to Xanax if you’re taking it for *insomnia* (i.e., as a sedative), though. Benzos aren’t very good meds for long-term insomnia for this reason. -elizabeth
Response:
You *can* (probably will, actually) develop tolerance to Xanax if you’re taking it for *insomnia* (i.e., as a sedative), though. Benzos aren’t very good meds for long-term insomnia for this reason.
That is exactly what Xanax is prescribed to me for–a sleep aid—Im also taking 40mgs of Prozac a day for deppression (first time on any type of AD) Anyone think of a better sleep aid??? I am to take 1mg at night before bed but usually take half a pill—sometimes a whole pill…. Thanks for any response
Response:
I’m on celexa 40 mgs (works wonderfully), and just started depakote at 250 mgs at night. My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you! roja
Response:
My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Well here’s a simple answer — If three mg’s of Xanax works for you, than yes it’s a normal dose. Thank you!
Your Welcome!
Response:
I’m on celexa 40 mgs (works wonderfully), and just started depakote at 250 mgs at night. My question is about xanax; the ativan didn’t work and my pdoc put me on 3 mgs of xanax as needed. My question is, is this a normal dosage? I’d like to keep my meds as simple as possible. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!
Do you mean by *as needed* that you take 3 mgs of Xanax when a PA is coming on? That sounds like a lot to me. Or do you mean that you take it regularly throughout the day to a total dose of 3 mgs (for instance 3 doses of 1 mg)? That would be standard practice. If you want to lower the dose there is no reason why you shouldn’t experiment with it. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – roja
