Dear janodesaintsauveur,
The drugs you named have legitimate uses, but all four are sedatives.
Xanax and Valium are prescribed specifically for anxiety attacks,
while Rivotril is indicated for convulsions. The least common drug
among these four is Dextropoxyphene, an opiate used to treat pain.
Like any narcotic, it is lethal in large doses on its own, and its
effects multiply if taken in combination with another sedative.
Although I have no medical training and the information I am
presenting is no substitute for the advice of a qualified professional
such as a doctor or pharmacist, I do find it unusual that someone
would possess all four of these drugs at the same time. In the first
place, all four of these are prescription drugs. If no doctor has
prescribed them, one should not be able to buy them. It is regrettable
that some unscrupulous websites allow people to circumvent the law. If
you do know of someone possessing these drugs without a prescription,
you may wish to get the police involved.
A second warning sign is that these are not complementary drugs. They
do not go well together at all. As I mentioned, all four are
sedatives. Xanax and Valium are prescribed for essentially the same
conditions, so it makes no more sense to take them simultaneously than
to use Aspirin and Tylenol at the same time. Of course, sedatives are
much more dangerous than mere analgesics. Rivotril is yet another
sedative, and Dextropoxyphene is an opium derivative. Below, I point
you to websites providing more detail on each drug.
Xanax
-----
I first heard of Xanax when I suffered anxiety attacks some years ago.
An anxiety attack is a very specific condition in which one has a
convincing yet false impression of imminent death. PSYweb.com
describes the uses of Xanax, while Drugs.com has a great deal to say
about its side effects. Take special note of the section headed, "What
other drugs will affect Xanax?"
"Alprazolam is an antianxiety agent [benzodiazepines]. Used primarily
for short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety and nervous tension.
Alprazolam is also effective in the treatment of activity depression
or panic attacks. It can be useful in treating irritable bowel
syndrome and anxiety due to a neurosis as well. Alprazolam may help
the symptoms of PMS if extreme, some [cancer] pains if given with
various narcotics, agoraphobia, essential tremor, and ringing ears."
PSYweb.com: Alprazolam (Xanax, Alprazolam Intensol, Novo-Alprazol)
http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/xanax.html
"Xanax may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness,
including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to
treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines,
and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you
are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your
doctor."
Drugs.com: Xanax
http://www.drugs.com/xanax.html
Valium
------
Valium, like Xanax, is used to treat anxiety attacks. It was popular
in earlier decades as an antidepressant, although Prozac is now the
prevalent treatment for depression. In the meantime, Xanax has
subsumed its anti-anxiety role. PSYweb.com states that Valium should
not be taken with other benzodiazepines such as Xanax.
"Diazepam is an antianxiety agent (benzodiazepines.) Used primarily
for short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety. It may also be used
to treat symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawals, to help control
epilepsy, or to relieve muscle spasms. ... Narcotics may increase the
sedative effects of this drug. Do not take other sedative,
benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills with this drug. The combinations
could be fatal. Do not drink alcohol when taking benzodiazepines.
Alcohol can lower blood pressure and decrease your breathing rate to
the point of unconsciousness."
PSYweb.com: Diazepam (Valium)
http://www.psyweb.com/Drughtm/valium.html
"Diazepam is not recommended in the treatment of psychotic or severely
depressed patients. Precautions are indicated for severely depressed
patients or those who show evidence of impending depression,
particularly the recognition that suicidal tendencies may be present
and protective measures may be necessary. Since excitement and other
paradoxical reactions may result from the use of the drug in psychotic
patients, it should not be used in ambulatory patients suspected of
having psychotic tendencies."
MentalHealth.com: Diazepam
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-v01.html
Rivotril
--------
This is an anticonvulsant agent prescribed for epileptics and others
who suffer from seizures. It should not be used in combination with
other sedatives. The following page supplies warnings in French.
Doctissimo: Rivotril
http://www.doctissimo.fr/medicament-RIVOTRIL.htm
Note that Rivotril is a highly addictive, prescription-only medication.
"RIVOTRIL can cause dependency. The risks are greater for patients on
higher doses or on long term treatment, or patients who have a history
of alcohol or drug abuse."
Government of New Zealand: Consumer Medicine Information: Rivotril
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/r/rivotril.htm
"The initial adult dose should not exceed 1.5 mg/day divided into 3
doses. Dosage may be increased in increments of 0.5 to 1 mg every 3
days until seizures are adequately controlled or until adverse effects
preclude any further increase. Maintenance dosage must be
individualized for each patient depending upon response. A recommended
adult maintenance dose is 8 to 10 mg/day in 3 divided doses. Dosages
in excess of 20 mg/day should be administered with caution."
MentalHealth.com: Clonazepam
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-r04.html
Dextropoxyphene
---------------
The following French page gives plenty of information on the hazards
of this powerful narcotic.
Esculape: Dextropropoxyphène
http://www.esculape.com/medicament/dextropoxyphene.html
I have found no other information that would be useful to a layman,
but I have learned from reading the above document that
Dextropropoxyphene is a very dangerous drug. According to the article,
it is one of the most common causes of death by accidental overdose in
the United States. It is rare for good reason, and I am surprised to
learn that someone would be able to order it through the web.
In conclusion, I would be very wary of the pharmacopeia your wife
seems to have assembled. If she has indeed ordered these drugs, you
should consult with your pharmacist and doctor and immediately follow
their recommended course of action.
I wish you all the best in this matter.
If you feel that my answer is incomplete or inaccurate in any way, please
post a clarification request so that I have a chance to meet your needs
before you assign a rating.
Regards,
leapinglizard |
