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AADD Moderators: Tronica
Asutralian Xanax and Lorazepam Scripts.
- Thread starter Bupe20mg
- Start date
PeacePipeChief
Bluelighter
u just gotta look right and get the right doctor , ive had mates that have got xanax plenty of times , thats all i kno though . try google ?
justsayknow
Bluelighter
I dont know about lorazepam but I think in certain circumstances xanax requires an authority script, from memory I think it's for repeats.
The-Future
Bluelighter
I've asked many GP's about lorazepam and clonazepam and they usually go on about how they're unsafe and the Americans have it all wrong. One GP told me Clonazepam is terrible because of it's "short half-life", I tried to correct him but he got defensive and he was adamant he was right. I've been to a lot of GP's and only one has suggested Xanax but he said he'd need to talk to his "boss" before prescribing it and he said quite clearly "you'll be on it for the rest of your life." Younger GP's seem to be very anti-benzo, older GP's seem to be all for it, in my experiences anyway.
PeacePipeChief
Bluelighter
gotta find me some aged GP's ...
justsayknow
Bluelighter
I think most GP's are reluctant to prescribe benzos, it's pretty easy to see why- tolerance develops quickly and withdrawal effects can be very harmful. If you have a good relationship with your doctor and they trust that you will use them responsibly or you have a confirmed condition that requires them like anxiety or panic attacks then you might get some but if you front up to a doctor you dont know asking for them they may suspect that you will be using them recreationally.
There is a benzo thread with a story about someone being denied the medicine when they actually need it which is a bit of a shame.
There is a benzo thread with a story about someone being denied the medicine when they actually need it which is a bit of a shame.
footscrazy
Bluelight Crew
Xanax and lorazepam aren't authority scripts (though I don't know about repeats like justsayknow brought up).
I've had valium from my GP, 0.5mg xanax from my gp (x50), and just yesterday I had him fax a script (he would only give me 7 1mg) down to the chemist. Not an authority script that I know of.
He is extremely reluctant to prescribe me benzos because I've been fairly honest with him, I don't agree with lying. And I have had a benzodiazepine overdose in the past (intentional), which he is aware of.
1-2mg xanax is enough to put me to sleep whereas it's 60-80mg temazepam to even put a dent in my demeanor. So It's mainly for the purpose of sleeping.
If he is reluctant in prescribing xanax I'll likely ask for an oxazepam (serepax) script, or seroquel to sleep.
Last night was great, I slept from 9pm until 1pm, my body really needed that after being a night owl for the last month.
He is extremely reluctant to prescribe me benzos because I've been fairly honest with him, I don't agree with lying. And I have had a benzodiazepine overdose in the past (intentional), which he is aware of.
1-2mg xanax is enough to put me to sleep whereas it's 60-80mg temazepam to even put a dent in my demeanor. So It's mainly for the purpose of sleeping.
If he is reluctant in prescribing xanax I'll likely ask for an oxazepam (serepax) script, or seroquel to sleep.
Last night was great, I slept from 9pm until 1pm, my body really needed that after being a night owl for the last month.
footscrazy
Bluelight Crew
justsayknow
Bluelighter
Perhaps it was for above the recommended monthly amount or for finishing the script before the end of the month or something like that. It wasn't me personally but one of my friends was prescribed it for a while and I remember specifically that he was saying the doctor had to phone for authorisation ( in Western Australia). He wasnt prescribed any opiates. I'm pretty sure they wouldnt normally have to do it though, I have heard stories of people being handed sample packs by the GP also...
Australian Lorazepam Script? if you have seen one recently
If anyone on here has seen a Prescription for Lorazepam recently can you please tell me if it looks just like any PBS Prescription as if you where getting Diazepam etc. also what Prescriptions for benzo's have extra printing on them than a normal S4 Prescription? I know Xanax Does what about other Benzo's?
If anyone on here has seen a Prescription for Lorazepam recently can you please tell me if it looks just like any PBS Prescription as if you where getting Diazepam etc. also what Prescriptions for benzo's have extra printing on them than a normal S4 Prescription? I know Xanax Does what about other Benzo's?
So Lorazepam is Prescribed but Private scipt only? I know Xanax is on the PBS for Pention/Concession card holders for usual price but requires a special script that has extra stuff on it not like Diazepam it has numbers and other things on it in the "OTHER PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION" Section I want to know if Lorazepam and Clonazepam are the same?
Ashley
Bluelight Crew
If Xanax is being prescribed through the PBS then an authority is required regardless of if there are any repeats or not. If it is done as a private script which will cost you extra obviously, then no authority is needed. Even for repeats. This is my experience in NSW with a lot of doctors and a long time doing it. Clonazepam is the same deal. Lorazepam? No idea sorry mate.
lovepsychadelics
Bluelighter
Do you have severe anxiety of a diagnosed mental illness like BPAD. If not you got very little chance of getting prescribed these meds. Unless you know a good Dr. 
pharm_friendly
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2005
- Messages
- 277
Back after 6 years - well, I've been on the site as always though first post in nearly 6yrs 8( I finally remembered my password! 
Anyway moving on....
I have used both of these benzos, in the past for a number of years. Both are are S4 (schedule 4) prescription and do not require any authority.
The exception to this is for Xanax, which in Australia comes in four strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, & 2mg). A GP can prescribe any strength of Xanax without authority except for a 2mg prescription. (I could be incorrect here as I always had repeats...) As Ashley said, repeats definitely need an authority. And just to add to that, if your GP wants to they can call through an authority for 0.25mg if they think you might be doctor shopping etc - as the operator will let them know you already have a script.
Ativan (Lorazepam) has two strengths - and as stated above is not available on PBS so can be quite expensive, especially if you have a concession for PBS meds. It is a private script so no, it is a normal S4 script like Diazepam.
Rivotril (Clonazepam) is on PBS - from memory an authority is only needed if it is prescribed for off-label uses and/or repeats.
Hope that helps - and sorry for the long post, first one in a while lol! %)
Cheers
~pharm_friendly_~
Anyway moving on....I have used both of these benzos, in the past for a number of years. Both are are S4 (schedule 4) prescription and do not require any authority.
The exception to this is for Xanax, which in Australia comes in four strengths (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, & 2mg). A GP can prescribe any strength of Xanax without authority except for a 2mg prescription. (I could be incorrect here as I always had repeats...) As Ashley said, repeats definitely need an authority. And just to add to that, if your GP wants to they can call through an authority for 0.25mg if they think you might be doctor shopping etc - as the operator will let them know you already have a script.
Ativan (Lorazepam) has two strengths - and as stated above is not available on PBS so can be quite expensive, especially if you have a concession for PBS meds. It is a private script so no, it is a normal S4 script like Diazepam.
Rivotril (Clonazepam) is on PBS - from memory an authority is only needed if it is prescribed for off-label uses and/or repeats.
Hope that helps - and sorry for the long post, first one in a while lol! %)
Cheers
~pharm_friendly_~
alpralanon
Greenlighter
One correction is that with the 2mg Xanax, the Authority isn't compulsory for the doc, if its just for 50, it's up to the doc. They are getting harder to get every day, not many will write a private script for 50 xanax these days, although I know someone who tries, and mostly gets, private scripts regularly, there is one doc that writes him on authority, meaning, he can only go back there in 25 days if prescribed 2/day. Although, as many private scripts he can find he can cash, but without the PBS concession.
But, between my wife and I we have had 3 old(past retirement age) Dr's cut us off abrubtly from xannies this yr alone. Not just us either, they wont prescribe benzos or opiates to anyone no exceptions. After dependency for 20 yrs on the things? How TF is that man???
We've had to halve our dose over a couple of weeks, still feeling it, and freaking out man, how bad will it get?
But, between my wife and I we have had 3 old(past retirement age) Dr's cut us off abrubtly from xannies this yr alone. Not just us either, they wont prescribe benzos or opiates to anyone no exceptions. After dependency for 20 yrs on the things? How TF is that man???
We've had to halve our dose over a couple of weeks, still feeling it, and freaking out man, how bad will it get?
pharm_friendly
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2005
- Messages
- 277
Hi alpralanon 
You are correct, 2mg can be done on a private script - my apologies for the oversight.
Ok so you and your wife have been prescribed Xanax on a continuous basis for 20yrs and the doctor just said "no more"? Did the doc say why they wouldn't prescribe it to you anymore?
That is highly dangerous, not to mention extremely unethical and goes against the whole 'do no harm' motto. If it is the same doctor/medical centre that you have always got your script from, they will be able to see that you've had continuous scripts and should know better. I have first hand experience with suddenly ceasing Xanax after only a few months, and ended up hitting my head after blacking out and a short seizure-like fit (could have been a lot worse).
Xanax and all short-acting benzos need to be substituted with a longer acting benzo like Valium (diazepam) to slowly taper off when dependency is an issue. From the sounds of your post it doesn't sound like you have been given anything at all.
In the CMI it clearly states:
If you haven't been given anything to taper with, I would urge you to discuss this with the doc that cut you both off as it's not something you would want to risk going cold turkey. If you don't have any luck with that, see another doc ASAP because this isn't something you want to 'take a chance' with! Seriously.
There is a really good manual written by Professor Heather Ashton in the UK which has a lot of info about tapering from different benzos and definately worth looking at. I would even take it to your doctor if they are convinced that cold turkey is ok. You can find the manual here.
As for how bad it will get will depend on a number of factors and varies from person to person - you said you've been taking it for 20yrs so the effect on the GABA would be quite substantial.
IMO, see your doc or another doc as soon as you can.
Hope that helps and let us know how you go!
Goodluck!
~pharm_friendly~
You are correct, 2mg can be done on a private script - my apologies for the oversight.Ok so you and your wife have been prescribed Xanax on a continuous basis for 20yrs and the doctor just said "no more"? Did the doc say why they wouldn't prescribe it to you anymore?
That is highly dangerous, not to mention extremely unethical and goes against the whole 'do no harm' motto. If it is the same doctor/medical centre that you have always got your script from, they will be able to see that you've had continuous scripts and should know better. I have first hand experience with suddenly ceasing Xanax after only a few months, and ended up hitting my head after blacking out and a short seizure-like fit (could have been a lot worse).
Xanax and all short-acting benzos need to be substituted with a longer acting benzo like Valium (diazepam) to slowly taper off when dependency is an issue. From the sounds of your post it doesn't sound like you have been given anything at all.
In the CMI it clearly states:
If you haven't been given anything to taper with, I would urge you to discuss this with the doc that cut you both off as it's not something you would want to risk going cold turkey. If you don't have any luck with that, see another doc ASAP because this isn't something you want to 'take a chance' with! Seriously.
There is a really good manual written by Professor Heather Ashton in the UK which has a lot of info about tapering from different benzos and definately worth looking at. I would even take it to your doctor if they are convinced that cold turkey is ok. You can find the manual here.
As for how bad it will get will depend on a number of factors and varies from person to person - you said you've been taking it for 20yrs so the effect on the GABA would be quite substantial.
IMO, see your doc or another doc as soon as you can.
Hope that helps and let us know how you go!
Goodluck!
~pharm_friendly~
That's good they feel that way, there going to save some people a lot of pain and suffering. I gotta say as much as you fight to get benzo's because they help, once your hooked on them and want to quit, your screwed. Also when he said klonopin had a short half life, we all know the half life of klonopin is 36 hours. But the duration of it's effects tend to get a lot shorter the longer you take it. Eventually you'll need it a few times a day rather then just twice. It's a nasty addiction.
Benzos are good when used in very intense situations where anxiety and insomnia are out of control. But it's not a permanent fix, they will fuck you up more then help you after awhile, so as far as i'm concerned that's good these Dr.s feel that way. Of course you wont have to be on them for life, you can always quit and taper. But it will take you a lot of time, seizures arn't fun and your anxiety and insomnia will be worse then when you went on them.
IMO save benzos for panic attacks, extreme insomnia, opiate withdrawal, stimulant comedown, ect. Never take them for more then a week, you just dont want to get addicted to them. They are useful but it's like a double edged sword.
Sustanon
Bluelighter
the time I had 50 x 2mg alprazolams prescribed with like 3-4 repeats the doctor had to make a phone call. Would that be the authorization?
alpralanon
Greenlighter
Yep. it would have been, Sustanon. The authorization would be on the Department of Health and Medicare records, as mentioned above. So, if directed to take 2 daily, it could be up to 3 months before they allow another script, not to mention getting the attention of the authorities. Another double-edged sword.
Thnx pharm_friendly, I was a bit scattered that day, i went to my doc the next day and got my xanax, albeit a few days early. So, with my wife cut off from her last dr. we have to make one bottle last 25 days. Where before, I would have an average of 6mg /day, sitting on 2mg now. I find that having the 2mg in the morn. will help start the day, at least i can think straight and talk to people(if I have to), and at night, one sleep aid(25mg doxylamine suc.) will help me sleep if I'm distracted by a book. So, as bad as it feels now, I'm not going too bad, valiums are always at the back of the cabinet, in case, so at least I won't fit.
I recall(vaguely), how bad it can be. Tried jumping off years ago after a binge, after a week I thought the worst was surely over, on the 9th day I had a fit and stayed with my parents for three months on valium(almost none of which i remember). Anyway, you live & learn.