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Efficacy of anxiolytic medications (non-benzos)

sweethome

sweethome

Bluelighter
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
89
Location
Illinois, USA
I have a rather tough time battling anxiety. I've done my share of researching and trying herbal remedies (too many to mention) and really only found results with Kava Kava and Bacopa. Unfortunately, while Kava seems to relieve some of my anxiety, I hate how it makes me feel and the effects of Bacopa are minimal.
While I have records to backup a legit prescription of Valium, I'm a recent college graduate who is recently uninsured. it's too bad because valium certainly did the trick. Xanax was a miracle as well.
But I digress, while researching other possible remedies, I learned that Chlorpheniramine has off-label use for the treatment of anxiety, albeit, it has minimal effects.
Also, I read that Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) is used in Mexico for the treatment of anxiety and anti-depression.

I have never heard of either of these until now.... I was hoping some light could be shed on either.

Pineapple sage seems to be something found in an herbal store... can someone tell me more about this? Have you tried it and does it work?
Is Chlorpheniramine worth trying, in your opinion? What products is it more commonly known as? What brand name can I find it under?
 
Although I cant say much about the two things you listed I can say it is a good thing you are looking for other things besides benzos. Benzos are really just a short term bandaid for anxiety(a good one at that) but you do not want to be addicted/dependant on/to benzos trust me.

Keep looking until you find something don't give up. also, try passion flower.
 
ive grown and ingested pineapple sage and didnt find it to have a noticible effetct on ym anxiety or depression.but if u think it could help you u shud try it.
 
Although it is prescription, hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that has been used to treat anxiety. Have you tried it?
 
^I second the above suggestion and don't think chlorpheniramine maleate will be very beneficial. If you want to try antihistamines as anxiolytics than I would go for the other 2 common first generation OTC antihistamines- diphenhydramine (benadryl, tylenol PM, etc.) or doxylamine (unisom)... I have to qualify my suggestion though, MOST people do not recieve adequate anxyiolysis from these, but I would definitely recommend them over CPM.

Nothing compares to the lack of side effects and lasting effects of good cognitive behavioral therapy... truly learning how to cope with the anxiety and live with it (if not straight up get over it). Drugs are a stop gap that will never "cure you" (as I'm sure you know) but good therapy might actually be able to let you live life content without a dependencies on pharmaceuticals.
 
dokomo said:
Although it is prescription, hydroxyzine is an antihistamine that has been used to treat anxiety. Have you tried it?
Click to expand...

No, I have not. IIRC, you're speaking of Atarax? Correct?
My shrink went from Buspar, which I hated... to Valium, which worked wonders.
When I stopped the Valium, the W/Ds were awful. I was only on 5mg/day too! Not something I'd like to go through again in this lifetime.
How would the anti-histamine contained in Hydroxine differ from that which is contained in other anti-histamine containing products? Do they work on different receptors? Is this why only specific anti-histamines work for anxiety while others don't?
 
^hydroxyzine (atarax, vistaril) is considerable more sedating and less anticholinergic than many other anithistamines... namely, CPM (hardly sedating) and diphenhydramine and doxylamine (VERY sedating but also very anticholinergic which can be quite uncomfortable).
 
sweethome said:
No, I have not. IIRC, you're speaking of Atarax? Correct?
My shrink went from Buspar, which I hated... to Valium, which worked wonders.
When I stopped the Valium, the W/Ds were awful. I was only on 5mg/day too! Not something I'd like to go through again in this lifetime.
How would the anti-histamine contained in Hydroxine differ from that which is contained in other anti-histamine containing products? Do they work on different receptors? Is this why only specific anti-histamines work for anxiety while others don't?
Click to expand...

Atarax is one of the brand names for hydroxyzine. I don't know that much about it, Wikipedia has alot of info though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxyzine

Its a fairly old drug, I'm only really aware of it because my grandmother had a severe brain aneurysm like 25 years ago and its part of the medication regimen that she takes. The doctor apparently replaced xanax with it to prevent anxiety that might exacerbate the trauma.
 
dokomo said:
Atarax is one of the brand names for hydroxyzine. I don't know that much about it, Wikipedia has alot of info though. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxyzine

Its a fairly old drug, I'm only really aware of it because my grandmother had a severe brain aneurysm like 25 years ago and its part of the medication regimen that she takes. The doctor apparently replaced xanax with it to prevent anxiety that might exacerbate the trauma.
Click to expand...

If benzodiazepines work to cure a person's anxiety but lead to unwanted cognitive effects (impaired memory recall), would hydroxyzine be a good alternative choice? It seems like it has few contraindications and a decent HL.
 
aberrant said:
If benzodiazepines work to cure a person's anxiety but lead to unwanted cognitive effects (impaired memory recall), would hydroxyzine be a good alternative choice? It seems like it has few contraindications and a decent HL.
Click to expand...

It certainly seems like it would. Its worth a shot at least, and I think a physician would feel perfectly comfortable trying it because of its low index for abuse if a patient requested it.
 
Word. Thanks for the quick reply, I might have to look into this stuff myself.
 
phatass said:
try hydroxyzine... i use it to potentiate opiates but its a decent anxiolitic, the best of the anti-histamines and its not very sedating, far less than diphen or doxy...
Click to expand...

It isn't very sedating at all really, yea.
I can't remember what dose I was on when I was scripted it, but it didn't seem high enough. I didn't get effective anxiolytic effects from it at all and it was no help with sleep.
Could help you though. I was on Dosulepin at the time so I guess there may have been some cross-tolerance??? Not sure.
 
aberrant said:
If benzodiazepines work to cure a person's anxiety but lead to unwanted cognitive effects (impaired memory recall), would hydroxyzine be a good alternative choice? It seems like it has few contraindications and a decent HL.
Click to expand...

They don't cure anxiety, they prevent it from occuring. Go off the benzos again and those latent issues will still be there if you haven't dealt with them.
 
Being healthy is part of it. Eat right and exercise, play a sport or two, whatever.
Hydroxyzine might also help too. At least its not going to be a bitch to WD off of like valium was.

The OP should assess his situation and see whats works best for him.
 
SSRI's worked for me, but that was during extreme social/generalized anxiety and depression, and this was years ago.

I don't really recommend people try SSRI's for anxiety alone unless it is severe enough to warrant a trial of SSRI's. Most people would benefit more from mild use of a benzodiazepine.

I find diazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam to be the most efficient for anxiety. When I say this, I will point out that benzos aren't great for generalized anxiety, because you'll always take a benzo when anxious, it'll be great for a while when it works, then it won't and you'll get tolerant/addicted in a psychological and/or physical way. When I say "these benzos are the most efficient for anxiety", I mean that they are great for episodic anxiety, such as a panic attack, or a NDE. I don't think responsible benzodiazepine usage entails daily use. I have seen people go down this road, only to not realize the addiction they soon entered. I advise you only use benzos when they are absolutely necessary. Clonazepam is good but too sedating for functioning in my opinion. Any benzo can be extremely sedating (especially xanax and ativan) but lower dosing with these (I usually take no more than 0.5mg of xanax, 1mg of ativan at the very, very most) I find them very efficient. Also, flurazepam is great for anxiety. Initially it is a hypnotic and will help you fall asleep (if that's what you're intending), and the next day you have an afterglow, which I find to be partially enjoyable. I don't think flurazepam is a great idea for anxiety due to it's long half life though, unless you 'need' or are looking for long-term anxiety relief, such as an occasional manic episode.

Antihistamines don't really help for anxiety for me, they just make me tired/pass out, and can be OK for potentiating opiates.

johanneschimpo said:
Being healthy is part of it. Eat right and exercise, play a sport or two, whatever.
Click to expand...
QFT; exercise can be an anxiolytic in its own way. After stress gets me riled up, a nice work out session can nicely counteract it.
 
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