Etizolam withdrawal. Different than benzos by being a thienodiazepine?

[Fixed5217]

Etizolam is cross tolerant with benzodiazepines. Don't let the name of the chemical class fool you.

to further relevance [maybe redundant] benzos are cross tolerant with alcohol

 

[Jakeperson]

It would be really interesting for a benzo addict to switch to Etizolam and compare the withdrawal effects as to their other benzo of choice.

This one may (highly unlikely but there's always hope) have different withdrawal effects and may even be far more manageable than regular benzo withdrawal.

 

[Jakeperson]

If you are having trouble stopping this or any other benzo, (Warning: this is just me personally) I find that after big benzo binges that it is easier to swap to drinking and taper off using that to fight the comedown and anxiety.

This is a much easier method for me however because I am not a big alcohol fan and find it easy to regulate my intake and ween down.

 

[mydrugbuddy]

Here's the abstract from one study about etizolam withdrawl vs other benzos that ive just found

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16107249

"The effects of prolonged exposure to and subsequent withdrawal of the thienotriazolobenzodiazepine etizolam on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor gene expression and function were compared with those of the benzodiazepine lorazepam. Exposure of rat hippocampal neurons in culture to 10 microM etizolam for 5 days reduced the amounts of alpha5 and gamma2S receptor subunit mRNAs, whereas etizolam withdrawal was associated with a persistent reduction in gamma2S mRNA and an increase in alpha2 and alpha3 mRNAs. Neither chronic exposure to nor withdrawal of etizolam affected the acute modulatory effects of etizolam or lorazepam on GABA-evoked Cl- current. Treatment with 10 microM lorazepam for 5 days reduced the amounts of alpha1 and gamma2S subunit mRNAs and increased that of alpha3 mRNA, whereas lorazepam withdrawal was associated with persistence of the changes in alpha3 and gamma2S mRNAs and an increase in alpha2 and alpha4 mRNAs. Parallel changes in the abundance of alpha1 and alpha4 subunit proteins induced by chronic exposure to and withdrawal of lorazepam, but not etizolam, were detected by immunocytofluorescence analysis. Chronic lorazepam treatment resulted in a reversible reduction in the modulatory efficacy of this drug and conferred on flumazenil the ability to potentiate GABA-evoked Cl- current. The anticonvulsant action of etizolam was not altered in mice chronically treated with this drug, whereas lorazepam-treated animals became tolerant to the acute anticonvulsant effect of this benzodiazepine. These data suggest that etizolam is endowed with a reduced liability to induce tolerance and dependence compared with classical benzodiazepines."

Now I dont really follow most of that, but atleast the final sentence is clear enough and looks like good news.

Despite my best intentions not to start developing a habit, foolishly i have somehow managed to end up using etizolam every night for about 3-4 weeks now. Fortunatley I have only been taking low doses ; usually just 1 mg to help me get to sleep. But more than that on those occasional days when ive been taking stimulants.

I want to get this sorted out before it carries on any longer. Does any one know if taking 1mg for about 4 weeks would cause any withdrawl problems ? I'm thinking about cutting down to 0.5 mg for a few nights, and then stopping the nightly dosing alltogether.

Is taking relatively low doses for a relatively short period of time like this anything to worry about ? or will it probably just be a case of rebound insomnia and anxiety for a few days ?

All responses would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Psychedelic Jay]

Here's the abstract from one study about etizolam withdrawl vs other benzos that ive just found

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16107249

"The effects of prolonged exposure to and subsequent withdrawal of the thienotriazolobenzodiazepine etizolam on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor gene expression and function were compared with those of the benzodiazepine lorazepam. Exposure of rat hippocampal neurons in culture to 10 microM etizolam for 5 days reduced the amounts of alpha5 and gamma2S receptor subunit mRNAs, whereas etizolam withdrawal was associated with a persistent reduction in gamma2S mRNA and an increase in alpha2 and alpha3 mRNAs. Neither chronic exposure to nor withdrawal of etizolam affected the acute modulatory effects of etizolam or lorazepam on GABA-evoked Cl- current. Treatment with 10 microM lorazepam for 5 days reduced the amounts of alpha1 and gamma2S subunit mRNAs and increased that of alpha3 mRNA, whereas lorazepam withdrawal was associated with persistence of the changes in alpha3 and gamma2S mRNAs and an increase in alpha2 and alpha4 mRNAs. Parallel changes in the abundance of alpha1 and alpha4 subunit proteins induced by chronic exposure to and withdrawal of lorazepam, but not etizolam, were detected by immunocytofluorescence analysis. Chronic lorazepam treatment resulted in a reversible reduction in the modulatory efficacy of this drug and conferred on flumazenil the ability to potentiate GABA-evoked Cl- current. The anticonvulsant action of etizolam was not altered in mice chronically treated with this drug, whereas lorazepam-treated animals became tolerant to the acute anticonvulsant effect of this benzodiazepine. These data suggest that etizolam is endowed with a reduced liability to induce tolerance and dependence compared with classical benzodiazepines."

Now I dont really follow most of that, but atleast the final sentence is clear enough and looks like good news.

Despite my best intentions not to start developing a habit, foolishly i have somehow managed to end up using etizolam every night for about 3-4 weeks now. Fortunatley I have only been taking low doses ; usually just 1 mg to help me get to sleep. But more than that on those occasional days when ive been taking stimulants.

I want to get this sorted out before it carries on any longer. Does any one know if taking 1mg for about 4 weeks would cause any withdrawl problems ? I'm thinking about cutting down to 0.5 mg for a few nights, and then stopping the nightly dosing alltogether.

Is taking relatively low doses for a relatively short period of time like this anything to worry about ? or will it probably just be a case of rebound insomnia and anxiety for a few days ?

All responses would be gratefully appreciated.

It says basically you are clear to take it longer than most benzodiazepines without significant withdrawal. But, if you do, it is on par with Lorazepam.

 

[scottishdnb]

Try cutting down from 1mg to 0.75 instead of 0.5. It's all about
reducing it gradually.

 

[nAON]

Old thread, closing.