Homemade liquid titration compared to liquid Diazapam??

[[Ma...]]

I would love to hear people's experiences switching to liquid Diazapam.  Right now I use 100% whole milk and 2 mg pills but keep wondering about the liquid Diazapam.  Also, if anyone has trouble getting their insurance to help cover it.  Thanks for all replies!  Mary 💜

[[An...]]

Hi Mary, I just posted asking about milk versus alcohol. I used liquid valium last taper towards the end. Don't know about insurance cover though sorry; mine is mostly covered here in Australia with disability pension.

[[bu...]]

I would love to hear people's experiences switching to liquid Diazapam.  Right now I use 100% whole milk and 2 mg pills but keep wondering about the liquid Diazapam.  Also, if anyone has trouble getting their insurance to help cover it.  Thanks for all replies!  Mary 💜

 

Liquid diazepam was what enabled me to finally get off of diazepam.  Zero problems switching.

 

Insurance probably won't pay for it (mine didn't) but how important is that, really.  IIRC, 500ml/mg was about $100.

[[Li...]]

If I had a choice between using a FDA-approved, professionally manufactured prescription oral solution and using a homemade liquid, I would definitely chose the former. 

 

For me, the reassurance of knowing that the drug formulation had been tested for safety and effectiveness and was manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (guidelines for manufacturing, testing, and quality assurance to ensure the finished product is safe for human consumption) would be well worth any additional cost.

[[bu...]]

^^

 

Yes, if you have a cooperative doc and Rx liquid is an option, that would certainly be the optimum choice.

[[Ma...]]

I would love to hear people's experiences switching to liquid Diazapam.  Right now I use 100% whole milk and 2 mg pills but keep wondering about the liquid Diazapam.  Also, if anyone has trouble getting their insurance to help cover it.  Thanks for all replies!  Mary 💜

 

Liquid diazepam was what enabled me to finally get off of diazepam.  Zero problems switching.

 

Insurance probably won't pay for it (mine didn't) but how important is that, really.  IIRC, 500ml/mg was about $100.

 

No, $100 isn't a problem but I thought I read someone was told it was much more than that.  I have a pdoc app Monday, I will talk to her about it.  I think I am at one of those spots, it's going to take something special to get me past it.  I knew you used it builder, which is one of the reasons I kept wondering about it.  Thanks for the replies 

[[Ma...]]

Hi Mary, I just posted asking about milk versus alcohol. I used liquid valium last taper towards the end. Don't know about insurance cover though sorry; mine is mostly covered here in Australia with disability pension.

 

Thanks for replying.  .  Can you tell me how you did with the liquid Diazapam?

[[Li...]]

Hello, M5588!  Good to “see” you on the boards.

 

I thought it might be helpful for you to know there are two FDA-approved oral solutions in the US.  One has a concentration of 5mg/5mL (i.e. 1 mg/1mL).  The other is a concentrate (Intensol) with a concentration of 5mg/1mL.  For tapering purposes, the former is preferable.  I know of someone who lives in your neck of the woods and is using it for her taper — so it’s available in your area.

 

A good manufacturer to look for is West-Ward (the US subsidiary of Hikma). West-Ward used to be Roxane Laboratories (Roxane was acquired by Hikma in 2016).

 

According to Good Rx and America’s Pharmacy, the cost of the Intensol is quite reasonable.  Unfortunately, neither of those web sites gave prices for the formulation with the lower concentration.

[[Ma...]]

Hello, M5588!  Good to “see” you on the boards.

 

I thought it might be helpful for you to know there are two FDA-approved oral solutions in the US.  One has a concentration of 5mg/5mL (i.e. 1 mg/1mL).  The other is a concentrate (Intensol) with a concentration of 5mg/1mL.  For tapering purposes, the former is preferable.  I know of someone who lives in your neck of the woods and is using it for her taper — so it’s available in your area.

 

A good manufacturer to look for is West-Ward (the US subsidiary of Hikma). West-Ward used to be Roxane Laboratories (Roxane was acquired by Hikma in 2016).

 

According to Good Rx and America’s Pharmacy, the cost of the Intensol is quite reasonable.  Unfortunately, neither of those web sites gave prices for the formulation with the lower concentration.

 

Oh, thank you for looking all that up for me  . You are such a nice person.  Yes, I was doing pretty well until July, wasn't going too fast, I swear, felt good unti 3rd day into taper and out of no where started feeling bad, held a couple weeks tried again, same thing, held a month, really no better, so then decided to try and creep by it, doing .01 mg a day, just kept feeling a little worse.  Going to pdoc Monday to discuss 3 month hold.  I have been doing this for 2 and 1/2 years, longest I have held is 40 days.  Brain and body, I believe need a real hold.  Wish me luck.  Will print out your post to take to pharmacist this weekend.  Thanks again!  Mary 💜

[[Li...]]

You’re most welcome, M5588!  You devote considerable time and effort to helping others in this community so I am delighted to have the opportunity to “return the favor” in some small way.

 

FYI You and your pdoc can look up the drug information pamphlets from the different manufacturers of a diazepam oral solution at:

 

DailyMed

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/

 

Just enter “diazepam” in the search box.  When the new page opens, look for the entries that have the word “solution” in them (there are also injections and, of course, regular tablets).  Most of the manufacturers make both a 5mg/5mL solution and an Intensol (concentrate).  You want the former.  (I’ve just read that diluting Intensols further with water to achieve a lower concentration may cause turbidity or separation by lessening the alcohol concentration.)

[[Ma...]]

You’re most welcome, M5588!  You devote considerable time and effort to helping others in this community so I am delighted to have the opportunity to “return the favor” in some small way.

 

FYI You and your pdoc can look up the drug information pamphlets from the different manufacturers of a diazepam oral solution at:

 

DailyMed

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/

 

Just enter “diazepam” in the search box.  When the new page opens, look for the entries that have the word “solution” in them (there are also injections and, of course, regular tablets).  Most of the manufacturers make both a 5mg/5mL solution and an Intensol (concentrate).  You want the former.  (I’ve just read that diluting Intensols further with water to achieve a lower concentration may cause turbidity or separation by lessening the alcohol concentration.)

 

:smitten: 

[[Ma...]]

Bump

[[bu...]]

"5mg/5ml Diazepam Oral Solution

 

from $64.10 for 500 mls"

 

https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/diazepam

[[Ma...]]

"5mg/5ml Diazepam Oral Solution

 

from $64.10 for 500 mls"

 

https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/diazepam

 

Wow builder, that was so nice of you, as busy as we keep you  . Thank you very much!

[[Li...]]

Hi, M5588.

 

Are you considering using a combination of regular tablets and the prescription oral solution?

 

Based on what I’ve read, some members have found this approach to be helpful.

 

L

[[Ma...]]

Hi, M5588.

 

Are you considering using a combination of regular tablets and the prescription oral solution?

 

Based on what I’ve read, some members have found this approach to be helpful.

 

L

 

Yes, pills and liquid is what we were thinking but I was going to ask some people around the forum.  I know that's what builder did.  Were going to talk to pharmacist this afternoon, but the one we really like and trust wasn't there, so going to try again tomorrow.  She worked at VA, where they no longer prescribe benzo's for this very reason.  I sure do appreciate you taking such an interest, that's so nice of you💜  Also, going to get flu shot Monday after pdoc appointment, ugh!!  How are you doing with the shingles's shot 

[[Qu...]]

Anyone know how this cost would compare with having a compounding pharmacy make a liquid klonopin/Xanax/whatever’s)?

[[or...]]

Hi Mary.

 

I made my own liquid tapering solution as I couldn't tolerate the taste of the pharm stuff. But many others like it!!

 

I switched to pills and liquid at about 3mgs and used them both until I got down to 1 mg. It worked out very well.

 

Wishing you success!

 

Katz

[[Ma...]]

Hi Mary.

 

I made my own liquid tapering solution as I couldn't tolerate the taste of the pharm stuff. But many others like it!!

 

I switched to pills and liquid at about 3mgs and used them both until I got down to 1 mg. It worked out very well.

 

Wishing you success!

 

Katz

 

Thanks Katz, you are always helping me, thank you  :smitten:  .  Mary

[[Li...]]

Anyone know how this cost would compare with having a compounding pharmacy make a liquid klonopin/Xanax/whatever’s)?

In my neck of the woods, it’s in the $20-30 range. Very reasonable. Plus one compounding pharmacy I spoke with even has a discount program for customers who use their service on a regular basis.

[[Qu...]]

Wow! That’s great news! Is there  anything that makes the home liquid titration method superior?

[[Ma...]]

Wow! That’s great news! Is there  anything that makes the home liquid titration method superior?

 

Oh QQ, that is a tough question.  Everyone is so different, there is no perfect answer for anyone.  I used pills and 100% whole milk for a good while and did okay, even had a 3 week window, but all of a sudden in July, hit a nasty spot I have not been able to find my way around.  I wasn't going too fast, I was watching my symptoms and hit that  :brickwall: anyway.  So, started thinking a lot about liquid Diazapam, can only hope it helps.  No one can know for sure.  Going to hold for 3 months if Dr agrees before I start titrating again.  .  Keep your fingers crossed for me.  You have to study and find what you think maybe a good path for you.  Ask a lot of questions on the threads that apply most to what you are thinking 

[[bu...]]

Wow! That’s great news! Is there  anything that makes the home liquid titration method superior?

 

2 things to keep in mind:

 

Locally compunded liquids are usually suspensions, NOT solutions. 

 

 

Functionally, the home-made solutions should work just as well as the pharma liquids.  But  a pharma liquid already prepared, and has been mfgd under tightly controlled conditions.  I would have absolutely ne reservations about using home-made. but if I have the option, I would choose Rx. 

[[Qu...]]

So, if a locally compounded version was a suspension, does that mean it would

Not need to be shaken or agitated in some way? But if it was a solution it would?

[[Ca...]]

So, if a locally compounded version was a suspension, does that mean it would

Not need to be shaken or agitated in some way? But if it was a solution it would?

 

It’s the other way around . Suspensions should be agitated, solutions need not be.