What are benzodiazepines used for?
Benzodiazepines in current use, with their initial brand name and year of approval, include alprazolam (Xanax, 1981), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, 1960), clonazepam (Klonopin, 1997), clorazepate (Tranxene, 1972), diazepam (Valium, 1963), estazolam (ProSom, 1990), flurazepam (Dalmane, 1970), lorazepam (Ativan, 1977), midazolam (Versed, 1985), oxazepam (Serax, …
What are the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines?
Dec 01, 2003 · Some of the other medications and herbs that can cause interactions with benzos include: 3 1 Antidepressants Antihistamines 4 Anticonvulsants Certain antifungals Certain antibiotics Opioid cough medicine 19 Other sedatives St. John's Wort
What are the treatment options for benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome?
Nov 10, 2021 · A comparison of cyamemazine to bromazepam after 3 month treatment with benzodiazepines. Cyamemazine was found to be as effective as bromazepam in treating withdrawal symptoms: Standardized counselling protocols: Comparison of a slow taper to counselling on the dangers of benzodiazepines and alternatives to treatment.
Are benzodiazepines safe to take?
Thirty-two of the patients with insomnia were receiving benzo … [The indications for benzodiazepines in the treatment of insomnia] Med Clin (Barc) .
When are benzodiazepines indicated?
Indications for benzodiazepine administration include, but are not limited to, anxiety disorders, insomnia, acute status epilepticus, induction of amnesia, spastic disorders, seizure disorders, and agitation.
What medication can be given to reverse the effects of a benzodiazepine?
Flumazenil is administered to reverse the effects of benzodiazepines. Flumazenil inhibits activity at benzodiazepine receptor sites, blocking the action of benzodiazepines.
What reverses effects of Xanax?
Doctors may give people with severe benzodiazepine toxicity a flumazenil injection to treat the overdose. Flumazenil is an injectable drug that reverses the effect of a benzodiazepine by blocking the benzodiazepine receptor. A doctor may give adults flumazenil injections if they have overdosed on benzodiazepines.
What is flumazenil used for?
Flumazenil injection is indicated for a complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in conscious sedation and general anesthesia in adult and pediatric populations.Sep 7, 2021
What is a benzodiazepine?
The benzodiazepines are a large class of medications that have multiple clinical uses including therapy of anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal and seizures.
What are the effects of benzodiazepines?
The pharmacological effects of the benzodiazepines are a result of their interaction with the central nervous system, their effects being sedation, hypnosis, decreased anxiety, muscle relaxation, anterograde amnesia and anticonvulsant activity. At high doses, when given intravenously, the benzodiazepines may also cause coronary vasodilation ...
Can benzodiazepines cause vasodilation?
At high doses, when given intravenously, the benzodiazepines may also cause coronary vasodilation and neuromuscular blockade. The CNS effects of benzodiazepines are believed to be mediated by activation of GABA A receptors and modulation of their inhibition of neurotransmission.
What is benzodiazepines used for?
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs known as central nervous system depressants, used to treat a variety of mood disorders and other health conditions including seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal.
What are the properties of benzodiazepines?
They can act as a muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant and also have sedative (relaxing), hypnotic (sleep-inducing), and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
Can you stop taking benzodiazepine?
If you use any of these drugs for too long, you can experience symptoms of withdrawal if you suddenly stop. Don't ever stop taking a benzodiazepine without talking to your doctor first.
How long can you take benzodiazepines for anxiety?
As such, they shouldn't be used for longer than two to four weeks due to the risk of dependence.
Can benzodiazepines help with anxiety?
Some of their indications for use include: Alcohol withdrawal symptoms, particularly agitation and anxiety, may sometimes be relieved with a short-term course of benzodiazepines, although the response can vary from person to person.
Is Xanax a long acting medication?
Some are short-acting, some are long-acting, and they vary in potency. The most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines and the conditions they're typically prescribed to treat include: 2 . Xanax (alprazolam) treats anxiety disorders and panic disorder, and sometimes agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), depression, and premenstrual syndrome.
What is the difference between Valium and Ativan?
Valium (diazepam) is used to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal, as well as IBS and panic attacks. Ativan (lorazepam) is primarily prescribed for anxiety, but may also be used for seizures, IBS, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, and to help nausea and vomiting in people receiving cancer treatments.
What are some examples of benzodiazepines?
Common examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam (brand: Xanax), diazepam (brand: Valium) and lorazepam (brand: Ativan). Benzodiazepines are a large drug class and have a long history of development, starting with the first FDA-approvals in the 1960s, chloridiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium).
How do benzodiazepines work?
Benzodiazepines appear to work by blocking excessive activity of nerves in the brain and other areas in the central nervous system.
What is Clobazam used for?
Clobazam (Onfi) is used as an add-on (adjunct) benzodiazepine anticonvulsive treatment with other seizures medications in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Nayzilam (midazolam) and Valtoco (diazepam) are nasal sprays now approved for the treatment of seizure clusters (also known as acute repetitive seizures).
What is the purpose of Flumazenil?
Flumazenil (Romazicon - brand discontinued) is used to reverse the sedative effect of a benzodiazepine when used for a medical procedure and for treatment in a benzodiazepine overdose. Flumazenil blocks the central effect of benzodiazepines by competitive interaction at the benzodiazepine receptor site.
Can benzodiazepines be used for sleep disorders?
Under the care of a clinician, there may be appropriate uses for benzodiazepines in the elderly, such as for seizure disorders, certain sleep disorders, benzodiazepine or alcohol withdrawal, severe anxiety, procedural anesthesia, and end-of-life care.
Why is a drug interaction screen important?
Important: Many drug interactions can occur with benzodiazepines; therefore, a drug interaction screen completed by a healthcare provider is an important step each time a new drug is added or discontinued in any treatment regimen.
Is benzodiazepines a controlled substance?
There are many options available within the class, and most benzodiazepines are now available generically, making them very affordable. All benzodiazepines are listed as DE A schedule IV controlled substances. As controlled substances, all benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse, addiction and diversion.
What is the best treatment for benzodiazepines?
Detox or residential treatment centers are usually the best settings for people taking high doses of benzodiazepines. Types of treatment centers available to help with benzodiazepine withdrawal include the options below. Detox and inpatient or residential treatment centers that incorporate detox protocols are usually the best settings ...
How to treat withdrawal from benzodiazepine?
The most common treatment for benzodiazepine withdrawal is to taper the person down from the dose they were taking. In some cases, they may switch from one benzodiazepine to another. 2 If a person was taking a short-acting benzodiazepine, a healthcare provider may prescribe a longer-acting benzodiazepine at an equivalent dose. An equivalent dose may not be literally equivalent. Rather, it is a quantity that will produce similar effects. 3
How long does detox last?
Treatment typically includes group therapy, sessions with an individual counselor, and 12-step meetings, and it can last 28 days or longer.
What is detox center?
Detox centers are medically supervised facilities. A person in detox for benzo withdrawal may be given certain medications to ease the process and minimize unpleasant symptoms or other medical complications. Medical staff are on hand to safely supervise the person through withdrawal.
Is benzodiazepine a medication?
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Medications. No medication is specifically FDA-approved for the treatment of benzodiazepine dependence. However, some medications are used off-label to treat benzodiazepine withdrawal or used to manage the spectrum of symptoms that can arise during withdrawal. Some of these medications include: 2.
What is the best medication for withdrawal symptoms?
4. Clonidine may be used to maintain normal blood pressure if the person’s blood pressure becomes too high during withdrawal. 2. Ondansetron can be given to treat nausea or vomiting during withdrawal. 2.
Can you stop taking benzos?
Benzodiazepine withdrawal treatment can be crucial for a person trying to stop using benzos because the withdrawal symptoms can be severe. 1. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can have serious side effects such as seizures, insomnia, tremors, and hallucinations, 6 and it can even be fatal. 3 In rare instances, seizures have even been reported ...
What are the main actions of benzodiazepines?
The main actions of benzodiazepines (hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, myorelaxant and amnesic) confer a therapeutic value in a wide range of conditions. Rational use requires consideration of the large differences in potency and elimination rates between different benzodiazepines, as well as the requirements of individual patients. As hypnotics, benzodiazepines are mainly indicated for transient or short term insomnia, for which prescriptions should if possible be limited to a few days, occasional or intermittent use, or courses not exceeding 2 weeks. Temazepam, loprazolam and lormetazepam, which have a medium duration of action are suitable. Diazepam is also effective in single or intermittent dosage. Potent, short-acting benzodiazepines such as triazolam appear to carry greater risks of adverse effects. As anxiolytics, benzodiazepines should generally be used in conjunction with other measures (psychological treatments, antidepressants, other drugs) although such measures have a slower onset of action. Indications for benzodiazepines include acute stress reactions, episodic anxiety, fluctuations in generalised anxiety, and as initial treatment for severe panic and agoraphobia. Diazepam is usually the drug of choice, given in single doses, very short (1 to 7 days) or short (2 to 4 weeks) courses, and only rarely for longer term treatment. Alprazolam has been widely used, particularly in the US, but is not recommended in the UK, especially for long term use. Benzodiazepines also have uses in epilepsy (diazepam, clonazepam, clobazam), anaesthesia (midazolam), some motor disorders and occasionally in acute psychoses. The major clinical advantages of benzodiazepines are high efficacy, rapid onset of action and low toxicity. Adverse effects include psychomotor impairment, especially in the elderly, and occasionally paradoxical excitement. With long term use, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal effects can become major disadvantages. Unwanted effects can largely be prevented by keeping dosages minimal and courses short (ideally 4 weeks maximum), and by careful patient selection. Long term prescription is occasionally required for certain patients.
How long does it take to take diazepam?
Diazepam is usually the drug of choice, given in single doses, very short (1 to 7 days) or short (2 to 4 weeks) courses , and only rarely for longer term treatment. Alprazolam has been widely used, particularly in the US, but is not recommended in the UK, especially for long term use.
How Do Benzodiazepines Work?
- Benzodiazepines exert their effects based on actions within the central nervous system. They are typically classified as central nervous system depressants. Specifically, they bind to an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain known as GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid). When drugs bind to t…
Benzodiazepine Effect on Sleep
- One of the most common uses of benzodiazepines is for sleep. When taken before bedtime, they reduce what is known as sleep latency, otherwise known as the time to fall asleep. They also decrease the number of times you wake up during sleep and decrease stage 0 sleep (which is a sleep stage in which you are considered "awake"). According to sleep studies, they also reduce s…
Side Effects of Benzodiazepines
- Most users of benzodiazepine drugs experience some sort of side effect, at least initially. At usual dosages, you may experience varying degrees of light-headedness, slowed motor function, slowed reaction time, impairment of mental functioning and confusion. It is extremely important to note that when combined with alcohol, these side effects become much more pronounced. These sid…
Dependence and Withdrawal
- Chronic use of benzodiazepines can cause a physiological dependence and occurs as a natural consequence of regular use over a long period of time. Being dependent on these drugs does not automatically imply the abuse of drugs. It's tough to put a specific time period of use that puts people at risk for dependence. Sometimes it can happen in as short as 3-6 weeks while other ti…
Metabolites
- In our chart at the beginning of the article, we had a column for metabolites. Drugs that last a long time in the body and have many active metabolites are usually not recommended for people with liver problems or the elderly. These two groups will have a harder time eliminating the drug from their body and over time, these metabolites, which are products of the parent drug after being br…
Is There A 'Best' benzodiazepine?
- There really is no "best" benzodiazepine, since they are really only differentiated by how fast they work and how long they work in the body. There are some recommended ones for certain indications which we will list here:
Overview
Introduction
Prevention
Prognosis
Mechanism of action
Signs and symptoms
Treatment
- Medications such as benzodiazepines are a first-line treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines reduce withdrawal symptoms and may be life-saving for the patient. Commonly used medicines in this group include: chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan). Lorazepam (Ativan) or oxazepam (Serax) may be preferred ...
Epidemiology
Medical uses
Effects
Side effects
Contraindications
Interactions
Examples
Adverse effects