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Suggest Ways To Reduce Anxiety Levels Inspite Of Being On Librium For Alcohol Withdrawal

Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2015

Question: I am taking Librium for alcohol withdrawel. Is there anything that will increase the anti-anxiety effects so the I won't have to take three Librium tablets per day?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
lifestyle changes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

Lifestyle changes can be incorporated to reduce the anxiety levels:
1. Practicing slow and deep breathing and meditation.
2. Eating green vegetables and fruits in diet.
3. Avoiding excessive tea and coffee.
4. Taking nutritional supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids.

In my opinion, adding another drug to increase the effects of one drug will lead to increased side effects.

Also, three tablets of librium for alcohol withdrawal is adequate dose and not excessive.

I think you can continue with same dose of librium along with these lifestyle changes. This should help.

Feel free to discuss further.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (11 hours later)

I've heard about grapefruit juice or grapefruits. Is there any effect from that? Positive or negative? Thank you for the above list. Many of these things I am already doing such as the omega-3. XXXXXXX XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
grapefruit juice not advisable.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

Grapefruit juice is said to increase the blood concentration of some drugs. Among benzos, the common interactions reported are with xanax and midazolam.
It is said to increase the side effects of the drug.

But there are no evidences/literature reports or drug interactions with librium.

Based on the medical literature available and my clinical experience, I would not recommend the use of grapefruit juice with librium. There are more chances of negative effects.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to discuss further.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (6 minutes later)

I think this is my last question. I've heard that omeprazole and Zantac can interfere. I have been taking one or the other for GERD. I know that antacids like Tums can reduce the effects of benzos, but I'm confused about acid reducers. I have been taking the acid reducers only as needed.
Thanks for your great advice. XXXXXXX XXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
no serious drug interactions.

Detailed Answer:
Happy that you found my suggestions useful.

There is no reported interaction between zantac and librium.

Biologically, omeprazole can increase blood levels of librium by inhibiting drug metabolism. But this interaction is clinically insignificant.
Since you take omeprazole occasionally, the risk of interactions reduces further.

I have been using the two drugs (librium and omeprazole) together in number of patients, but I have not seen even a single serious drug interaction in my patients.

Hope this answers your query satisfactorily.

Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries.

Hoping for a positive feedback from you.

I wish you good health.

Thanks.
Dr. Shubham Mehta, MD

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar