According to the wikipedia article it is claimed that etizolam causes less of an increase in tolerance and is less likely to cause dependence than classic benzos:
"In a study that compared the effectiveness of etizolam, alprazolam, and bromazepam for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, all three drugs retained their effectiveness over 2 weeks, but etizolam became more effective from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, a type of reverse tolerance.[11] Administering .5 mg etizolam twice daily did not induce cognitive deficits over 3 weeks when compared to placebo.[12]
When multiple doses of etizolam, or lorazepam, were administered to rat neurons, lorazepam caused downregulation of alpha-1 benzodiazepine binding sites (tolerance/dependence), while etizolam caused an increase in alpha-2 benzodiazepine binding sites (reverse tolerance to anti-anxiety effects).[13] Tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of lorazepam were observed, but no significant tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of etizolam were observed.[13] Etizolam therefore has a reduced liability to induce tolerance, and dependence, compared with classic benzodiazepines.[13]"
what do you think? I've never tried it and therefore can't speak from personal experience. Also, I would say that even if this is true one should be very careful- there isn't a study saying it CAN'T cause dependence, it does have a short half-life, and thinking it is less likely to cause these problems may cause more reckless use which would therefore lead to a greater risk.
"In a study that compared the effectiveness of etizolam, alprazolam, and bromazepam for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, all three drugs retained their effectiveness over 2 weeks, but etizolam became more effective from 2 weeks to 4 weeks, a type of reverse tolerance.[11] Administering .5 mg etizolam twice daily did not induce cognitive deficits over 3 weeks when compared to placebo.[12]
When multiple doses of etizolam, or lorazepam, were administered to rat neurons, lorazepam caused downregulation of alpha-1 benzodiazepine binding sites (tolerance/dependence), while etizolam caused an increase in alpha-2 benzodiazepine binding sites (reverse tolerance to anti-anxiety effects).[13] Tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of lorazepam were observed, but no significant tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of etizolam were observed.[13] Etizolam therefore has a reduced liability to induce tolerance, and dependence, compared with classic benzodiazepines.[13]"
what do you think? I've never tried it and therefore can't speak from personal experience. Also, I would say that even if this is true one should be very careful- there isn't a study saying it CAN'T cause dependence, it does have a short half-life, and thinking it is less likely to cause these problems may cause more reckless use which would therefore lead to a greater risk.
