Whats the best benzodiazepine for anxiety that doesn't make you to tired?

[peacegundam]

From personal experiences what benzodiazepine would you recommend and why?

[APSJ]

I've been prescribed clonazepam (Klonopin) for over a decade and it works very well for me. I only take a small dose, and its longer acting than most benzodiazapines so I don't have to take it repeatedly. I don't find that it makes me tired, although it can help me sleep if I take it later in the day, by relieving the anxiety that contributes to my insomnia.

However, its the only one I've tried, so I can't recommend it over others. I have a friend who insisted that clonzaepam interfered with his memory and that diazepam (Valium) had far fewer side effects. It may be that it's different for everyone.

That being said, my understanding is that all benzodiazapines have a number of issues, including the potential for a tolerance to develop, and potential withdrawal symptoms, which result in them generally not being the first choice for treating anxiety, particularly if its long term anxiety.

Keep in mind that I'm not a medical professional, and this is just from my experience and what I've heard. Your doctor should be able to give you more definitive information.

[Kiddder]

Non-drowsey benzodiazepine

tranquilizers like these are specifically designed to sedate anxiety and for many also sedate physically.....I have never taken them so don't know the different effects of brands but would imagine they are all similar in effect.

[Maurice]

Right now I use Valium 5mg. It works very well. Over the years I have used Ativan2mg. , Xanax2mg., and Valium 10mg.

If I take Valium 5mg. during the day it might cause a little drowsiness, but it is nothing that can not be overcome with a cup of coffee. If I take any or them at bedtime they help me sleep.

[hceuterpe]

The very mechanism of action of all benzodiazepines is to produce a sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and amnesiac state.
The only time I've been prescribed them is in conjunction with merely starting an anti-depressant and sleep (which now I am addicted to horrendously). I've also heard they are excellent in preventing or even aborting or seizures for those who do not have it under control. Probably also helpful in treating traumatic PTSD (eg, the kinds from a specific, attributable event).

For long term anxiety (like GAD), it sounds like a combination of an SSRI/SNRI and therapy is a better option..

It seems like short-term anxiety and long-term anxiety have two distinct causes; where anyone can get the short-term, but long-term seems to have a more attributable, underlining cause. Seems similar to depression.

[slowlygoincrazy]

Ive taken most of them none really seem to be a fix all where during the day anxiety is better and at night i can sleep. just actually got off the phone with my doctor about trying buspar... im pretty excited never been without the constant anxiety.... so while the instant might be an option for you ask your self if you want it well managed 6-14 hours a day or 2-4 hours at night and groggy in the morning
best of luck

[Yellow]

clonazepam best hands down

[mytheory]

I vote klonopin. It's a benzo that won't knock you out like ativan or valium can for some people. it won't hit you in the face like a xanax either. definitely klonopin. I've been taking it for eight months, one thing you really have to ask yourself is do you want to be committed to treating your anxiety daily with a benzo, because if you go down that road you are going to have to be prepared for intense withdrawal if you abrubtly stop, and also some memory issues. I take it with adderall, it works for me.

Neurontin worked for me too, but I pushed for klonopin. now I couldn't kick the stuff in under three months if I had to. with benzo's it's like, if you walk a mile into the woods, be prepared to walk a mile back just to get to where you orginally were. it's a vicious cycle.

[Arei]

All of the benzos will make you sleepy the first and maybe the second time or so when you take it, after you adjust to it, you're usually ok. I take klonopin and I have had xanax for a few times and both of them are ok for me, though xanax continues to make a lot of people drowsy even after the first few doses, it's all up to your body on that one though. Klonopin only made me super super drowsy a couple of times

[Legault]

I've tried clonazepam, bromazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. clonazepam takes this easily, it is prescribed especially for social anxiety but I had to ask for it and my doctor wanted reasons...I told him the truth ("I looked it up on rxlist") and he gave me the highest dose. It's apparently easy to become reliant on it though, I know when I quit cold turkey I feel isolated and detached, don't feel like doing anything...

[Arei]

I was perscribed the Klonopin because it apparently is supposed to be less addictive then Xanax. I only take .5mg and it works great for me.

[michael117]

Klonopin initially made me tired and sleepy at just .5mg (starting dose) but my dose of adderall took care of that. Now, I no longer get tired from it. I have tried equivalent doses or even less of xanax on a few occasions and I wasn't able to think and felt sort of dumbed down. When you combine adderall and xanax, they seem to negate each other. Adderall and klonopin just have this synergy for me where each takes care of my core issues, as well as the unpleasant effects of the other.

I take frequent breaks from it and only take it when I know I'll need it that day. This works well to ward off physical dependence. Benzodiazepines can easily result in physical dependence if taken (I believe) 2-3 weeks continuously. The rebound withdrawal symptoms are unbearable. I've read on some recreational drug forums that withdrawing from a high dose of benzodiazepines is worse than withdrawing from heroin. Granted, that's what happens when you're irresponsible and take them recreationally, although I read of a user on that forum who had been taking it as prescribed and his pdoc had him at a dose as high as 12mg/day, I believe. That is overkill and you just use your common sense; don't take them every single day. I have, though, built up a tolerance to klonopin's antioxolic effects and am at 1-2 1mg tablets a day, as needed (averages out to 1.5mg/day). It's not too bad and if I take a break for a week or week and a half, I seem to gain back some of the potency. I've very susceptible to building tolerance with adderall too, but I take the right supplements to keep it's positive effects.

[muldoon]

If you're prescribed a benzo for daily use, the sedative effects usually wear off within the first week or two, but the anxiolytic effect should remain. You may have to adjust slightly to find your optimal therapeutic dose. This does not mean that you are addicted to it anymore than someone who has to adjust their SSRI dosage to acheive the desired effect.

I take Xanax XR 2mg daily & have never been sedated by it.

Benzodiazepines are the most selective and potent medications for anxiety and have the least amount of side effects after the intial adjustment period.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

[muldoon]

Originally Posted by michael117

...Granted, that's what happens when you're irresponsible and take them recreationally, although I read of a user on that forum who had been taking it as prescribed and his pdoc had him at a dose as high as 12mg/day, I believe. That is overkill and you just use your common sense; don't take them every single day. I have, though, built up a tolerance to klonopin's antioxolic effects and am at 1-2 1mg tablets a day, as needed (averages out to 1.5mg/day). It's not too bad and if I take a break for a week or week and a half, I seem to gain back some of the potency. I've very susceptible to building tolerance with adderall too, but I take the right supplements to keep it's positive effects.

Taking them every day is what many people have to do because of their severe anxiety or panic. You are taking them every day, and it is definitely not a good idea or suggestion for someone on 1-2 mg of klonopin daily to take a week long break without any of it. This can cause rebound anxiety/panic and may even cause seizures.

Benzos are very powerful meds. Stopping them abruptly after prolonged daily use, whether for therapeutic means or some dumb-***** who uses it recreationally for a breif euphoria, is disaster waiting to happen. If someone wishes to taper down, they should do so very gradually and under the supervision of their doctor.

[pickle11]

Klonopin...been on for almost 10 yrs...still works great...