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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 heidiholloway on October 1, 2008, at 21:46:03
Will there or is there currently any research or clinical trial of a medication using flumenazil to facilitate benzodiazepine withdrawal & repair of GABA receptors. This would be a block buster drug.
I found some patents for including flumenazil in the formulation of benzodiazepines and I wondered if this formulation will be used in helping people withdraw from benzodiazepines.
Posted by azalea on October 2, 2008, at 21:58:48
In reply to Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by heidiholloway on October 1, 2008, at 21:46:03
Flumazenil blocks the action of benzodiazepines and is used to treat benzodiazepine overdose. It can actually cause withdrawal symptoms if administered to someone who is physically dependent on benzos.
> Will there or is there currently any research or clinical trial of a medication using flumenazil to facilitate benzodiazepine withdrawal & repair of GABA receptors. This would be a block buster drug.
>
> I found some patents for including flumenazil in the formulation of benzodiazepines and I wondered if this formulation will be used in helping people withdraw from benzodiazepines.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on October 6, 2008, at 13:49:25
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal » heidiholloway, posted by azalea on October 2, 2008, at 21:58:48
You got that right! I take xanax and would never ever go through the agony of withdrawal that flumazenil would produce! And who ever said it repairs the GABA receptors? That is not possible. TIME is the only thing that does that.
> Flumazenil blocks the action of benzodiazepines and is used to treat benzodiazepine overdose. It can actually cause withdrawal symptoms if administered to someone who is physically dependent on benzos.
>
> > Will there or is there currently any research or clinical trial of a medication using flumenazil to facilitate benzodiazepine withdrawal & repair of GABA receptors. This would be a block buster drug.
> >
> > I found some patents for including flumenazil in the formulation of benzodiazepines and I wondered if this formulation will be used in helping people withdraw from benzodiazepines.
>
>
Posted by desolationrower on October 6, 2008, at 21:00:01
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by Abby Cunningham on October 6, 2008, at 13:49:25
flum is just like stopping taking benzos, only stronger. just like going cold turkey normalizes your system faster than a slow down titration, taking flum will make it go even faster. increases risk of seizures, probably only useful for those who need benzos for limited situations.
-d/r
Posted by heidiholloway on October 8, 2008, at 11:43:11
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by desolationrower on October 6, 2008, at 21:00:01
I have read where it is being used in other addiction/dependency rehabilitation to "repair" or reset GABA receptors. Prometa is one protocol I've read about for alcohol and cocaine. I know it would not work for someone who is currently on benzos but how about someone who has withdrawn but is still experiencing a lot of symptoms. Being off benzos and having a treatment to facilitate the repair would be optimal.
Posted by Abby Cunningham on October 12, 2008, at 7:53:59
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by heidiholloway on October 8, 2008, at 11:43:11
Hello Heidi,
I belong to a few benzo withddrawal forums, and believe me if there was a way to "repair" gaba receptors, it would be found by their excellent moderators. Search PubMed, you will find nothing that reverses the physical neurological damage that benzos do after becoming dependent on them except TIME off the drug, reducing very very slowly. If you find a method that is proven by medical science, please inform the rest of us! Seriously.
> I have read where it is being used in other addiction/dependency rehabilitation to "repair" or reset GABA receptors. Prometa is one protocol I've read about for alcohol and cocaine. I know it would not work for someone who is currently on benzos but how about someone who has withdrawn but is still experiencing a lot of symptoms. Being off benzos and having a treatment to facilitate the repair would be optimal.
Posted by Sigismund on October 12, 2008, at 17:20:56
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by Abby Cunningham on October 12, 2008, at 7:53:59
This sounds like the naltrexone/opiate thing.
That was fashionable some years ago, though I've not heard much about it lately.
Posted by Medline on October 31, 2008, at 7:21:51
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by Sigismund on October 12, 2008, at 17:20:56
A pilot study of the effects of flumazenil on symptoms persisting after benzodiazepine withdrawal
Malcolm H. Lader
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UKSally V. Morton
Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK
The potential of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (Ro 15-1788) to lessen persisting benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms was demonstrated in 11 patients who had been drug free for between 1 month and 5 years. Doses ranging from 0.2 to 2.0 mg divided into three intravenous injections over a few hours relieved long-standing symptoms to varying extents. These included clouded thinking, tiredness, muscular symptoms such as neck tension, cramps and shaking and the characteristic perceptual symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal, namely, pins and needles, burning skin, pain and subjective sensations of bodily distortion. Mood disorder, when present, also improved but the reduction in anxiety and depression may have reflected relief of physical symptoms. The onset of maximum response was sometimes delayed by as much as a day but was usually prompt. Side effects were reported to be either absent or typically described as lightheadedness or dizziness, lasted only a few minutes and were usually well tolerated. The benefits last between a few hours and several days despite flumazenil's otherwise short duration of action. However, symptoms did return to varying degrees in most cases, suggesting the need for repeated doses.
Posted by yxibow on November 18, 2008, at 2:39:31
In reply to Re: Flumenazil for benzodiazepine withdrawal, posted by Medline on October 31, 2008, at 7:21:51
Flumazenil is primarily used in hospital and ICU settings for overdose and respiratory depression prevention of benzodiazepines, intravenously.
I don't know that it is a regularly prescribed agent for coming off of or "repairing" GABA receptors, it would be pretty harsh on someone with anxiety.
It is fortunate that there is an antidote of sorts.
That's why barbiturates and certain TCAs are carefully prescribed by responsible physicians today. I won't go into details.
-- Jay
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