Benzodiazepines (spec Clonazepam) + #Nicotine#

[Reminisant B]

I've been trying to find out how Nicotine interacts with benzodiazepines as I'm positive of a very annoying side effect involving the combination of benzo's + nicotine.

Whenever I use or have been using benzo's in combination with either smoking cigarettes or even more so nicotine patches I get this strange side effect that can only be summed up by a kind of micro-muscle spasm/high BP/twinge repeating randomly every so often. (Higher Nicotine => more s/e)

I am quite aware nicotine is the more complicated in terms of its action on many different receptors etc + I've also read mention of effects concerning the actual benzodiazepine receptors but what I can't understand is...

NOWHERE does there seem to be a well known interaction between the concurrent use of the two. Seeing as they are very common drugs I would have thought if this was a normal reaction there would be more direct info on this.

Anyway after that ramble was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this effect? or had more definitive information on the interactions between Nicotine + Benzo's

 

[Jamshyd]

In my experience, benzo withdrawal (even from small doses) causes the muscle spasms that you are describing. My only guess is that Nicotine's cholinergic effects would add to that.

That is, however, assuming that you are physically dependant on benzos and are taking a dose lower than your tolerance needs. I hope someone else will be more helpful.

 

[Reminisant B]

Yeah I wouldn't say I'm reliant on them, have reliable script for them when needed (but haven't overused the reason too much) + also had access to number of different ones for "testing" as it were but never use for prolonged periods + take regular long breaks after any period of use for fear of addiction.

That said my tolerance for them has always been high.

It's also Clonazepam that seems the worst + just noticed there is a thread similar in "other drugs". It's just shame the interaction is so vague.

Anyway, cheers.

- RB

 

[Irate_Scotsman]

Nicotine induces the metabolism of benzodiazepines... people who smoke cigarettes should mention this to their doctor so that they can be prescribed 'the correct dose' of benzos...

 

[Dr. Beat]

Nicotine induces the metabolism of benzodiazepines... people who smoke cigarettes should mention this to their doctor so that they can be prescribed 'the correct dose' of benzos...

i thought it was other chemicals in the cigarette smoke (like harmalines ?) that did that, not nicotine.

eg. your liver enzymes do not increase if you are on patches or eating nicotine lollies or gum.

 

[blase deviant]

Whenever I'm on benzos (especially benzos + alcohol), a cigarette will give me a buzz/relax me whereas it doesn't really normally that much, but then like 10-20 min. later a lot of the benzo effect will be gone/taken away.