AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.
The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to
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Question I had a question I was hoping you could help me with. I am a pharmacist now managing a new patient and was reviewing thier medication history. When/ why would you use 2 benzodiazepines specifically alprazolam and diazepam? Patient is not being withdrawn or switched from one agent to the other. Has been on decent doses of both for a number of months. Alprazolam 4mg daily and diazepam 20mg daily.
Answer Hi Naomi,
I have seen combination of benzos used before but not in these doses. Perhaps the intent is to take advantage of the differing duration of actions of these. Diazepam having a long half life wheras alprazolam having a short half life. We are only trying to second guess the prescriber. I would contact the prescriber and ask directly why this combination was chosen.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. pharm
