Benzodiazepines

Near about 15 benzodiazepines are marketed in US, and 20 are marketed in the other countries. These drugs are controlled in Schedule IV of CSA. You will found these benzodiazepines in two categories: short acting benzodiazepines and long acting benzodiazepines.

Uses of benzodiazepines: These drugs are used for therapeutic purpose for a wide range of medical problems. This drug is used for treating the following conditions:

• Anxiety disorders like panic attacks, acute anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobia, post-traumatic disorder.
• Convulsive disorder: tetanus, neonatal seizures, preeclampsia, adjunct to other anticonvulsants.
• Anxiety associated with medical illness like cardiovascular, somatoform disorder, and gastrointestinal problems.
• Given before surgery
• Spastic disorders and other types of muscular spasms like multiple sclerosis, paraplegia
• Insomnia
• Detoxification from alcohol and other substances
• They are also used in surgery, cardioversion, and chemotherapy

These are only some of the uses of the drug. It can have other uses other than the ones mentioned above.

Generally, short-acting benzodiazepines are used for the sleep onset insomnia patients without daytime anxiety. These types of benzodiazepines are used to manage insomnia, include flurazepam (Dalmane), estazolam (ProSom), triazolam (Halcion), and temazepam (Restoril).

Midazolam (Versed) is one of the short acting benzodiazepines, is used for anxiety, sedation and amnesia prior to anesthesia and in critical care settings. This drug is available as syrup and as an injectable preparation basically, for pediatric patients.

Long-acting benzodiazepines provides longer duration of action and are used to treat insomnia patients with daytime anxiety. These types of benzodiazepines are clorazepate (Tranxene), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (librium), halazepam (Paxipam), oxazepam (Serax), lorzepam (Ativan), quazepam (Doral) and prazepam (Centrax). Diazepam, Clonazepam (Klonopin), and clorazepate are also utilized as anticonvulsants.

Effects of Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs that are usually prescribed for not more than four weeks as patients can become dependent and tolerant towards this drug. This drug is, therefore, prescribed in low doses.

The following are some of the common side effects of benzodiazepines:

• Patients have a strong tendency of getting addictive to this drug. They are easily available in the market.
• Some of the side effects include loss of concentration, drowsiness and slurred speech, and reduced alertness. The patients may also suffer from depression. Some less common side effects include changes in the appetite, blurred vision, nausea, confusion, changes in personality like increased aggression, and even nightmares in some cases.
• Although it is prescribed for insomnia, it can reduce deep sleep and increase light sleep in patients.
• The short-acting benzodiazepines can cause breakthrough seizures and so cannot be prescribed for outpatients seeking treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
• They can have an adverse effect on the elderly, as they are more sensitive. Some side effects include: amnesia, confusion, night wandering, ataxia, hangover effects, and pseudodementia.
• These drugs are never recommended for pregnant women as they can harm the fetus.

Even with the increases use of the drug, these symptoms may dissipate after the long period of time. But with increased use, comes tolerance and with tolerance comes addiction. At this stage, the person is continuously abusing the drug to get the initial calming effect which was once he had experienced.

Some additional side effects of benzodiazepine addiction are; nausea, depression, anxiety, skin rashes, memory loss, sexual problems, drowsiness, muscle cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lack of muscle coordination.

The very dangerous form of benzodiazepine is an injecting benzodiazepine that can be result in serious health problems. Most of the benzodiazepines are for oral use but some people inject them and it's savior side effects are: red, swallow, infected skin, collapsed veins, damage to organs, due to poor circulation there is amputation of limbs, stroke and even death.

Treatment for patients Addicted to Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines are one of the highly addictive drugs. Many patients may require medical treatment to stop them from using it. Those who consume benzodiazepine are usually advised by doctors to undergo treatment from centers that specialize in prescription drug rehabilitation. The treatment can be given both as inpatients as well as outpatients. There are number of treatment options available for the people who use benzodiazepine for non medical purposes. The different options include, group therapy, counseling, and supervised or home withdrawal.