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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 14:27:08
Which seems to have an antidepressant effect between the two?
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2008, at 14:43:52
In reply to Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect?, posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 14:27:08
> Which seems to have an antidepressant effect between the two?
To my knowledge, only Xanax has antidepressant properties among the available benzodiazepines. It is interesting that a sister drug to Xanax, adinazolam, is a putative antidepressant devoid of anxiolytic and hypnotic properties. It tends to be energizing. There might be a NE thing going on there.
It should be noted, however, that anxiety is a potent trigger for depression, and that any of the benzos might mitigate a stress-induced precipation of a depression.
- Scott
Posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 17:12:21
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect? » theo, posted by SLS on September 1, 2008, at 14:43:52
Thanks for the input.
> > Which seems to have an antidepressant effect between the two?
>
> To my knowledge, only Xanax has antidepressant properties among the available benzodiazepines. It is interesting that a sister drug to Xanax, adinazolam, is a putative antidepressant devoid of anxiolytic and hypnotic properties. It tends to be energizing. There might be a NE thing going on there.
>
> It should be noted, however, that anxiety is a potent trigger for depression, and that any of the benzos might mitigate a stress-induced precipation of a depression.
>
>
> - Scott
Posted by med_empowered on September 1, 2008, at 21:09:53
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect? » SLS, posted by theo on September 1, 2008, at 17:12:21
hey. From what I understand, benzos and low-dose neuroleptics do pretty well in short-term treatment of some forms of depression b/c both agents reduce anxiety and agitation. That said, Xanax can have pretty pronounced activating/antidepressant effects...it used to be kind of popular for treating more anxious forms of depression (often w/o an antidepressant).
I dont know that there's any reliable way to predict which tranquilizer will be best for your problems...I would guess that if you're showing signs of agitated and/or psychotic depression or (hypo)mania, valium would probably be better.
Also, I imagine that if you have problems with over-activation with antidepressants you might want to go for Valium (or any BZD that isn't xanax).Good luck.
Posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2008, at 23:44:07
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect?, posted by med_empowered on September 1, 2008, at 21:09:53
Soloed for many years on just xanax and it does have ad properties it just doesn't work any more no ahhhh feeling. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:04:04
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect?, posted by med_empowered on September 1, 2008, at 21:09:53
> hey. From what I understand, benzos and low-dose neuroleptics do pretty well in short-term treatment of some forms of depression b/c both agents reduce anxiety and agitation. That said, Xanax can have pretty pronounced activating/antidepressant effects...it used to be kind of popular for treating more anxious forms of depression (often w/o an antidepressant).
> I dont know that there's any reliable way to predict which tranquilizer will be best for your problems...I would guess that if you're showing signs of agitated and/or psychotic depression or (hypo)mania, valium would probably be better.
> Also, I imagine that if you have problems with over-activation with antidepressants you might want to go for Valium (or any BZD that isn't xanax).I agree with this. I would just like to mention that clonazepam has some poorly understood influences on 5-HT neurotransmission such that its mood stabilization properties caused it to be the more recommended benzo for bipolar mania before the arrival of valproate. It worked for me while in a manic delusional state in combination with lithium.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2008, at 20:08:38
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect? » med_empowered, posted by SLS on September 2, 2008, at 6:04:04
If it's mood stabalizing why did it make me feel suicidal and wasn't. I was using it as adjunct to xanax for rebound anxiety? Phillipa
Posted by KarenRB53 on October 20, 2008, at 17:29:19
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect?, posted by Phillipa on September 1, 2008, at 23:44:07
> Soloed for many years on just xanax and it does have ad properties it just doesn't work any more no ahhhh feeling. Phillipa
Hi Phillipa: Just found this post. As I've stopped my Imipramine (allergic reaction) and my pdoc wants me to stay off anything for several weeks I was wondering if Xanax would be better for me than Ativan for now because of the antidepressant properties? I've been taking Ativan 1mg in the morning and 1mg at night and it certainly does help but not with the depression. My pdoc had me try Xanax before when I was on AD as he thought they might work better for me than Ativan but I didn't want to change. So, I do have the Xanax but can I just stop the Ativan and start Xanax? If I did this for several weeks would I be able to go back to Ativan without any problems or side effects?
Thanks for any suggestions.
Karen
Posted by Phillipa on October 20, 2008, at 20:17:11
In reply to Re: Valium or Xanax have more antidepressant effect?, posted by KarenRB53 on October 20, 2008, at 17:29:19
My docs just always let me switch but take a comparable dose and ativan lasts longer than regular xanax. It was a wonder med for me for many years. Love Phillipa
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