List of Common Benzodiazepines + Uses & Side Effects

benzodiazepine treatment

Care should be taken in interpreting the results as some metabolites are themselves parent compounds. For example, temazepam and oxazepam are metabolites of diazepam, which may lead the practitioner to conclude that the patient had been taking other benzodiazepines during diazepam treatment. Urine drug screening should be used as a tool to engage the patient rather than as a punitive measure.

What are the differences between benzodiazepines?

benzodiazepine treatment

This drug has also been studied in the context of both BZD replacement and withdrawal as a potential treatment 70. One study showed that replacing BZD with a 45 day captodiamine led to a decrease in severity of withdrawal symptoms in patients taking BZD for six months 70. Another interesting finding was that after the discontinuation of captodamine treatment, there was no emergence of withdrawal symptoms, suggesting that captodiamine might have a different mechanism of anxiolysis than BZD 70. Additionally, during captodiamine treatment, psychomotor function improved in all areas tested from beginning to end of treatment 70. It must be noted that these patients were taking relatively low doses of BZD pre-treatment 70.

benzodiazepine treatment

4. Special Populations and Withdrawal

benzodiazepine treatment

Only short-term use of low-dose benzodiazepines (2 to 6 weeks) is recommended, with a slow, gradual tapering once the antidepressant effect takes hold. Concerns about risks of tolerance, dependence, and diversion with benzodiazepines limit their usefulness in GAD. The beta-blocker propranolol has shown mixed results when it comes to treating BZD withdrawal and dependence. One study found that propranolol attenuated some withdrawal symptoms in patients who stopped taking either diazepam (a long-acting BZD) and those who took lorazepam (a short-acting one) abruptly 69. However, in the same study, 27–45% of patients experienced withdrawal symptoms even while taking propranolol 69.

Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use

  • Approximately one-half of patients with alcohol use disorder who abruptly stop or reduce their alcohol use will develop signs or symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
  • There is room in the research body for further exploration into alternative methods of treating withdrawal that does not include the BZD itself.
  • They may prescribe them only for use as needed, not daily, and they may prescribe lower doses or pick benzodiazepines that aren’t as strong.
  • On the other hand, diazepam can remain in the system for days and boost the risk for long-term side effects, especially in the elderly.

However, it still carries the risk for abuse and dependence since this is also a BZD, albeit a slow-acting one 67. GABA is the most common neurotransmitter in the CNS, and Sober living house BZDs primarily work on the GABA-A receptor subunit 1. The GABA-A receptor has various subunits, and the most important in this case is the alpha (A) submit unit. The alpha subunit has various isoforms, which dictate a BZD’s effects on the CNS. The A1 subunit is believed to be responsible for the sedative effects and anterograde amnesia, and some of the anticonvulsive impacts of diazepam 1.

To learn more about Reyvow and antidepressants, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have concerns about avoiding alcohol while you’re taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor before starting treatment. Your doctor will likely recommend that you not drink alcohol while taking Reyvow. This is because the combination of alcohol and Reyvow may cause extreme https://ecosoberhouse.com/ sleepiness and dizziness. Admissions reporting benzodiazepine and narcotic pain reliever abuse at treatment admission. The ten most common benzodiazepines are listed alphabetically in the table below, along with their characteristics and most prevalent uses.

Are benzodiazepines commonly prescribed?

Many clinical studies have been conducted to assess the severity and treatment of withdrawal systems, while others assess more long-term effects of chronic BZD use. The mainstay of BZD withdrawal treatment at this time is a slow taper off the drug to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms; however, many patients cannot tolerate this taper without experiencing rebound anxiety and other symptoms. Current studies are aimed to decrease this rebound anxiety effect while also decreasing relapse into BZD use using different medications, counseling, BZD dosing strategies, or different tapering techniques. Pregnant women and fetuses are at increased benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome risk for adverse effects of withdrawal; they both metabolize BZD slowly, and the drug can cross the placenta to cause concentrations to build up to significant levels in the neonate 18. While a therapeutic dose has not been proven teratogenic, use during pregnancy has been linked to low birth weight, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction.

benzodiazepine treatment

Adverse effects

  • Working through underlying issues through talk therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy with a licensed psychologist, as well as having a supportive network is essential for managing anxiety and panic disorders.
  • This call to action proves especially relevant, as those seeking treatment for BZD dependence and withdrawal are on the rise in the United States 3.
  • One of the studies showed an increase in mortality with increased dosage and frequency of use which could be attributed to increased toxicity, another showed a positive correlation among older adults 43.
  • Mclean et al. 2011 reported that the diagnosis of anxiety and stress disorders has a higher prevalence in women, which can explain the discrepancies in the prescription for men vs. women 30.
  • Additionally, in this study, approximately 80% of patients experience withdrawal symptoms, which is much greater than the rate in other studies 65.
  • Before any diagnostic tests are ordered in the patient presenting with altered mental status with suspected overdose or toxicity, any respiratory or abnormal vital signs should be addressed first.

Depending on patient characteristics, benzodiazepines can be withdrawn or the patient stabilised on a maintenance program. Because addiction can look different in everyone, there is a wide range of treatment options available to meet your individual needs. An evaluation by a medical professional to discuss your symptoms can help to determine your appropriate level of care and the type of setting that best suits your treatment needs. If you are concerned that you are presenting symptoms of tolerance, dependence, or addiction because of benzo use.

  • Antidepressants are prescribed for depression and other mental health conditions.
  • The quick results from benzodiazepines make them unique from most anti-anxiety medications, such as SSRIs, which take several weeks of treatment to reach full effectiveness.
  • Alprazolam is widely used as monotherapy for panic disorder and anxiety and was found superior to other forms of monotherapy for these conditions including other BZD, non-SSRI antidepressants, and buspirone.
  • Benzodiazepines are a class of medications that slow down activity in your brain and nervous system.
  • Further well-designed research from other populations as well as a biologically plausible mechanism is required to confirm this association.

benzodiazepine treatment

Benzodiazepine drug molecules mimic the naturally occurring neurotransmitter GABA and bind to this receptor. This allows chloride ions to enter the neuron cells, which results in CNS depression. It’s also important to read the Reyvow label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Reyvow.

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