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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by GreyWalker on February 10, 2006, at 6:04:27
I have read that you can develop a tolerance to benzodiazepines.
Does anyone know how long it takes on average(either by personal experience or from the literature) before one begins to develop a tolerance to diazepam, so that the dosage must be raised?
Posted by krybrahaha78 on February 10, 2006, at 13:43:54
In reply to Diazepam Tolerance, posted by GreyWalker on February 10, 2006, at 6:04:27
dont know about diazepam, but i know with clonazepam (klonopin) one hardly ever develops tolerance to the anxiolytic effects. Though people do gain tolerance to the sedative effects and confuse that with tolerance to the drug itself.
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2006, at 20:04:57
In reply to Re: Diazepam Tolerance, posted by krybrahaha78 on February 10, 2006, at 13:43:54
I've taken diazepam aka valium started in the 70's at a dose of 5mg TID. Since that time have taken ativan, xanax, klonoopin now back to valium and no higher dose as a matter of fact lowered to l0mg per day due to to excessive sleepiness. How weird is that? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on February 11, 2006, at 6:51:33
In reply to Re: Diazepam Tolerance, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2006, at 20:04:57
> I've taken diazepam aka valium started in the 70's at a dose of 5mg TID. Since that time have taken ativan, xanax, klonoopin now back to valium and no higher dose as a matter of fact lowered to l0mg per day due to to excessive sleepiness. How weird is that? Fondly, Phillipa
Phillipa is a perfect example of a lot of people's experiences to benzodiazepines -- there are people who have taken Valium and Librium since they came out in 1960/1962 with no problem. On the other hand there are people with genetic reasons or dispositions who can become habituated.You'll know if your anxiety starts to creep up on you and you suddenly feel that another 5 or 10 might be good. But actually diazepam or clonazepam are fairly good drugs I think to resist tolerance simply because their half life is so large. Benzodiazepines like Xanax, Tranxene, and others have much shorter half lifes and require TID or QID (3 and 4 / day) dosing and carry a greater potential for sneaking in an extra one here and there until it all starts to pile up.
I happen to be a high dosage diazepam user and I think it is mostly because I have one of the world's most rotten complex anxiety disorders and it addresses a large GABA component of it -- I think also because of my weight and high metabolism I may eliminate medications of a certain class faster than others would. If I described the polypharmacy that I was on, it would probably knock out the average person.
So I think to sum up, with the long half life, one, you're not in danger if you slip up on a dose, and two, much less likely to gain tolerance. But that's just my 2c.
Tidings and cheers
-- Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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