Combinations - Benzodiazepines and Antihistamines

[jackdeth]

SWIM was just wondering if anyone has combined the two or if SWIY would advise against it. SWIM has only started with 20mg of Valium recently, but not had much effect - probably room for higher dosage SWIM is aware...

SWIM does enjoy the chilled/zoned out feeling from 100mg of Diph, any major risk of using the two at the same time? Thanks.

[Psych0naut]

They are both CNS(Central nervous system) depressants, combining them will cause respiratory depression, and in larg doses respiratory failure. Please just stick to one of them, not both, it's a very real risk.

[jackdeth]

Thanks, SWIM thought as much, but SWIM wanted to make sure. By the sound of it, Diph doesn't really go well with anything (alcohol even?) and isn't very well regarded. SWIM wonders how much of a gap one would have to allow between use of the two - if SWIM took say 30mg of Valium on Monday would it be OK to use Diph on the weekend? Basically is there still a risk even when the Valium is out of SWIM's system?

[Psych0naut]

Well not the risk of combining the two. Valium(diazepam) is the second longest acting benzodiazepine, which can stay in your blood for days, so if SWIY has taken Valium than it would be safes to wait a few days before doing diphenhydramine, though SWIM also disadvices to do diphenhydramine due to it's deliriant effects. If one wants a OTC(over the counter) high, SWIY is better out doing DXM, or in SWIY's case codeine or dihydrocodeine.

[Politicalchalk]

Hey all. SWIM has been switching off between clonazepam and lorazepam, all legit. prescribed. Doc has even spoke of alprazolam. Still trying to figure what works. Anyways, I read on a different thread that, to potentiate benzos alcohol should not be used, but instead antihistamines. SWIM is currently on hydroxyzine and was wondering was dose might probably be sufficient (from one's own experience) with antihistamines. This is not over the counter, but Rx. SWIM has it prescribed to help with sleep, and has noticed he can handle large amounts of the antihistamine. still experiementing with the others...about 6mg lor and 4mg cloz....actually it's withing my prescribed range.

Anyways, SWIM would just love some thoughts, fragments, or interjections and the reader's behealf.

peace.

[piesrtasty]

swim took 20mg of valium and was curious if adding some hydroxyzine into the mix is safe/recreational or if this combo is dangerous...any timely responses would be greatly appreciated!

[Panthers007]

From Wiki:

"Other contraindications include the administration of hydroxyzine alongside depressants and other compounds which affect the central nervous system, such as narcotics, non-narcotic analgesics and barbiturates, as well as alcohol, and if absolutely necessary, should only administered concomitantly in small doses as any pre-existing grogginess from these substances may be enhanced. If administered in small doses with other substances, such as mentioned, then patients should refrain from using dangerous machinery, motor vehicles or any other practice requiring absolute concentration, in accordance with safety law."

See article here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroxyzine

[Politicalchalk]

Panthers does have a point, however, this is a standard "Be careful when mixing CNS depressants" in general. 1 dep. + 1 dep. = 3 deps.

Now, Swim has seen in practice hydroxyzine prescribed EXCLUSIVELY for moderately strong opiate painkillers: "Take 2 (Hydroxyzine) with Lortab (hydrocodone/apap)." It does indeed potentiate CNS depressants, and actually is analgesic sparing (helps the analgesic). Its analgesic in it's own right. It has an oddly abundant list of indications, a prominant one which includes anxiolysis -- helping with anxiety. Swim's dog regularly combines Hydroxyzine Pamoate with his daily Lorazepam, and finds some benefit. He does have a wee bit o tolerance to the benzos, and has been on Hydroxyzine about a year. Stay with low doses and the genuia pig won't die, as long as he's familiar with both. Never try for heroic doses, in anything, that's kryptonite. One last note: Atarax (Hydroxyzine Hydrochloride) vs. Vistaril (Hydroxyzine Pamoate). Swim finds the former to be more sedating and the latter more soothing.