Max diazepam dosage

[Ashley]

I was wondering what the maximum prescribed dosage of diazepam is. The reason that I ask is because I have been prescribed 2mg diazepam prn for social anxiety disorder, however it isn't helping me, I even once took 20mg before class and it didn't have any effect on me so it seems that the amount I've been prescribed is very low?

[LeftArm]

For Social Anxiety Disorder 2mg prn is the norm. Has the doctor stated a max daily allowance? Although technically you can take more it will not help your condition and could in fact make things worse due to the very real risk of addiction and the negative side effects (drowsiness, slow reactions etc.)

If it's not working go back to the doctor. Do NOT take large doses this is drug abuse.

[roper]

Addicts can take large amounts and still seem to function, but if you are not a drug addict, and don't want to be treated as one, don't!

[Ashley]

For Social Anxiety Disorder 2mg prn is the norm. Has the doctor stated a max daily allowance? Although technically you can take more it will not help your condition and could in fact make things worse due to the very real risk of addiction and the negative side effects (drowsiness, slow reactions etc.)

If it's not working go back to the doctor. Do NOT take large doses this is drug abuse.

I plan on going back to the doctor, I'm waiting for a psychiatric referral, I'm just wondering what the maximum doseage a GP is willing to prescribe in the UK is, because if 10x the dose has no effect on me I wonder if asking for a more potent benzodiazepine like clonazepam or alprazolam would be more benefical rather than titrating the dose by small amounts every 2 weeks which could take me months to reach an effective dose.

[culchie82]

Just straying from the issue slightly, have you tried anything besides medication, because believe me benzodiazepines are not the answer due to the problems with addiction and withdrawal. I'm talking about things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques eg deep breathing, meditation, yoga, aerobic exercise etc etc. These techniques are away more effective than any mind altering drug, it's just a pity a lot of GP's are still only coming round to this fact.

[LeftArm]

Although low strength benzodiazepines can be used as a short term treatment for Anxiety conditions their long term use is not recommended due to the risk of dependance. As time goes by you will require higher doses to achieve the same effect. The withdrawl symptoms of Benzodiazepines include anxiety. This leads to a vicious cycle of dependance as one tablet wears off you require another to get over the withdrawal symptoms.
If the 2mg dose is not working for you then you need to talk to your doctor about possible alternative treatments.

[DavidS]

Just straying from the issue slightly, have you tried anything besides medication, because believe me benzodiazepines are not the answer due to the problems with addiction and withdrawal. I'm talking about things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques eg deep breathing, meditation, yoga, aerobic exercise etc etc. These techniques are away more effective than any mind altering drug, it's just a pity a lot of GP's are still only coming round to this fact.

Hurrah.

Any kind of interpersonal therapy, in fact. Not just CBT.

[Ashley]

Just straying from the issue slightly, have you tried anything besides medication, because believe me benzodiazepines are not the answer due to the problems with addiction and withdrawal. I'm talking about things like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques eg deep breathing, meditation, yoga, aerobic exercise etc etc. These techniques are away more effective than any mind altering drug, it's just a pity a lot of GP's are still only coming round to this fact.

I'm currently doing CBT now, judging by the long term remission rates though I'm certainly not relying on it and need a pharmacological backup, even if it's something that's limited to once a week or so due to tolerance. There are a few medications I've tried that immediately alleviate my anxiety like Xyrem and Dexedrine but they are not available on the NHS unfortunately, even widely used antidepressants like bupropion and tianeptine are't available on the NHS which is why I've been trying to find a private psych.

[johnep]

You seem to have an extensive knowledge of psychotropics. What is your background.?
Xyrem is available if local PCT approves. Dexedrine was a wonder drug of the 50s, used for anxiety, obesity, narcolepsy. Even formulated into a popular antidepressant ---- Drinamyl.(Purple Hearts).(combination of amylobarbitone and dexamphetamine)
Are you from the USA? as bupropion used here in UK as smoking cessation aid.
Dexedrine is available from Drs who specialise in substance abuse. Had one chap on 16 tabs a day.
johnep

[Ashley]

I'm just your typical teenage comp sci student, I have an interest in psychopharmacology though because of my anxiety disorder so I've been reading psychiatry and psychopharmacology books in the library recently. I've lived in the UK all my life, but after reading how popular bupropion is in America I was stunned to hear from my GP that it isn't approved in the UK for depression/anxiety so he wouldn't prescribe it, despite it being one of the only chronic medications that has an acceptable side effect profile for me.