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Is Prolonged Intake Of Valium Harmful?
Question: tell me this is right or not. I have had Parkinsons disease for 20 years and have was given Valium many Years ag(o(?) startng with 5 mg and now take l0 mg ( this was used to put me to sleep as i could not fall asleep.. Recently the valium started to put me to sleep but i would wake after two hours. CALLED my doctor and she ordered me 25 mg of Trazdone , i pill at night and cancelled my valium script/ I took the pill and I went to sleep but woke up 2 hrs later shaking terribly. I felt terrible the next day like i was over medicated. I feel I should have only been given 5 mg along with the valium. i have always told not to suddenly stop taking any medication. I was never called by her or her nurse but was called by the pharmacist ad said I had better call the dr and ask what they were doing. The nurse called and say that his is what the could do for me and i would have to come in if that did not work. I called and was unable to get a clloser appointment. i looked at what she had given me previously Amitripline hcl 10 mg. so i took 5 mg and 10 mg valium and i went to sleep and slept all night. i have not been back to the dr as my appointment is the 18th of Feb and i fear that she will not renew my valium. what is your opinion.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say on some points I agree with your doctor. Valium is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepine drugs are not recommended for long term use and I do not agree with you taking it for such a long time. The reason is that in time they develop dependence (hence the withdrawal effects) and tolerance - meaning over time the same dose is not effective anymore and you need to increase the dose to achieve previous effect. The tolerance is already developing in you, you need you first needed to increase to 10 mg from 5, and now even 10 is not enough anymore. So in the long term Valium is not the answer.
As for Trazodone being given at 25 mg instead of 25, 25 mg is the lowest dose used for trazodone. Even if one wanted to use 5mg they are manufactured only in 50 or 100 mg pills (at least in most countries) so how can you divide that to get 5 mg. So I do not think the dosage was wrong, it was the correct dosage. Of course side effects vary among individuals and you might experience more of them. In your case though I believe side effects were more due to Valium withdrawal.
As for Amitriptyline, it is a substance which I commonly use and with good efficacy. However in your particular case I am a little reluctant. That is because one the main side effects of it is orthostatic hypotension, low blood pressure episodes when standing which can lead to falls, so not commonly used in the elderly, over 65 years of age. Also in your particular case, there is Parkinson's which has the same orthostatic hypotension as one of its symptoms, so the risk is even greater.
Where I disagree with your doctor is the fact Valium was interrupted abruptly. In someone who has been using it for years like you that is not advised, it should be done very gradually over many weeks. So I suggest it is lowered gradually, say by 2.5mg every month up to interruption. As for what to substitute it with ... one alternative may be still Trazodone, if you do not interrupt Valium perhaps won't experience the effects you experienced. If you still feel side effects from Trazodone....another antidepressant may be considered, one with a sedative effect like mirtazapine.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
I must say on some points I agree with your doctor. Valium is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepine drugs are not recommended for long term use and I do not agree with you taking it for such a long time. The reason is that in time they develop dependence (hence the withdrawal effects) and tolerance - meaning over time the same dose is not effective anymore and you need to increase the dose to achieve previous effect. The tolerance is already developing in you, you need you first needed to increase to 10 mg from 5, and now even 10 is not enough anymore. So in the long term Valium is not the answer.
As for Trazodone being given at 25 mg instead of 25, 25 mg is the lowest dose used for trazodone. Even if one wanted to use 5mg they are manufactured only in 50 or 100 mg pills (at least in most countries) so how can you divide that to get 5 mg. So I do not think the dosage was wrong, it was the correct dosage. Of course side effects vary among individuals and you might experience more of them. In your case though I believe side effects were more due to Valium withdrawal.
As for Amitriptyline, it is a substance which I commonly use and with good efficacy. However in your particular case I am a little reluctant. That is because one the main side effects of it is orthostatic hypotension, low blood pressure episodes when standing which can lead to falls, so not commonly used in the elderly, over 65 years of age. Also in your particular case, there is Parkinson's which has the same orthostatic hypotension as one of its symptoms, so the risk is even greater.
Where I disagree with your doctor is the fact Valium was interrupted abruptly. In someone who has been using it for years like you that is not advised, it should be done very gradually over many weeks. So I suggest it is lowered gradually, say by 2.5mg every month up to interruption. As for what to substitute it with ... one alternative may be still Trazodone, if you do not interrupt Valium perhaps won't experience the effects you experienced. If you still feel side effects from Trazodone....another antidepressant may be considered, one with a sedative effect like mirtazapine.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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