Posted by yxibow on August 2, 2009, at 21:53:26
In reply to Re: oxazepam, alprazolam or zolpidem like to SLS, posted by sdb on August 2, 2009, at 8:13:06
> Do you think zolpidem like substances are stronger than alprazolam, clonazepam, oxazepam etc.?
They function somewhat differently. All benzodiazepines target sedative-hypnotic, anti-epileptic, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxation.
It just depends on which one -- things like Restoril or Dalmane (rather strong) are mostly targeting the hypnotic sub GABA-A, although Restoril is the second metabolite of Valium so it possesses more properties than just mainly at the hypnotic receptor.
As for the examples you mentioned, oxazepam (Serax) is a rather weak benzodiazepine, although stronger than Librium.If you are already taking benzodiazepines at any fair strength, pseudobenozdiazepines like Ambien may not do anything at all or be limited because there is cross-pollination at the GABA receptor.
Lunesta probably would be stronger and more effective in that case. (Yes, it has a metallic taste for some people, I know that effect). Some people have to take more than the 3mg normally prescribed. But it is better for long(er) term use than Ambien.
Sonata is probably the weakest of the three in that category. It is also known to produce visual hallucinatory like effects in some people.
> I think that h1-antagonists give people tolerance, a bad hangover effect plus other side effects.
Side effects and hangover effects in some people -- tolerance, not particularly.Yes, ultimately antihistamines may wear out, but a washout of not taking them for a bit will return the capability much more than things acting on GABA (benzodiazepines/pseudobenzodiazepines.)
Personally, as for OTC h-1 sleep aids, I prefer the doxylamine formulation of Unisom to the diphenhydramine formulation (which one can get cheaper in Benadryl anyhow). The latter produces more depression I've found, but who knows.
Long term use of GABA agonists may differ one from those who are benzodiazepine naive -- that is, even withdrawing from them, more may be needed to produce an effect.At least that is what I have heard, but primarily I guess that is for myself, since I have taken much higher doses than others.
> ps my grandmother is on oxazepam for sleep since the seventies. She is now 93 years old.
Remarkable... no offense but should be careful of doses at that age
-- tidingsJay
poster:yxibow
thread:909808
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090801/msgs/909921.html