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Anxiety: Benzodiazepines
Brand Names (In Canada)
- Alti-Alprazolam
- Alti-Bromazepam
- Alti-Clonazepam
- Alti-Triazolam
- Apo-Alpraz
- Apo-Chlordiazepoxide
- Apo-Clonazepam
- Apo-Clorazepat
- Apo-Diazepam
- Apo-Flurazepam
- Apo-Lorazepam
- Apo-Oxazepam
- Apo-Temazepam
- Apo-Triazo
- Ativan
- Clonapam
- Dalmane
- Diazemuls
- Frisium
- Gen-Alprazolam
- Gen-Bromazepam
- Gen-Clonazepam
- Gen-Triazolam
- Halcion
- Lectopam
- Mogadon
- Novo-Alprazol
- Novo-Clopate
- Novo-Dipam
- Novo-Flupam
- Novo-Lorazem
- Novo-Poxide
- Novo-Temazepam
- Novo-Triolam
- Novoxapam
- Nu-Alpraz
- Nu-Loraz
- PMS-Clonazepam
- PMS-Diazepam
- Restoril
- Rivotril
- Serax
- Somnol
- Tranxene
- Valium
- Vivol
- Xanax
- Xanax TS
Description
Benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens) belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system). Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life. Some benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.
Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure.
Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For benzodiazepines, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain benzodiazepine products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy — Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.
Too much use of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding. Benzodiazepines may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children
Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of benzodiazepines.
Older adults
Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines.
Missed dose
If you are taking this medicine regularly (for example, every day as for epilepsy) and you miss a dose, take it right away if you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
If you will be taking a benzodiazepine regularly for a long time:
- Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine does not cause unwanted effects. If you are taking a benzodiazepine for convulsions (seizures), this is also important during the first few months of treatment.
- Check with your doctor at regular visits to see if you need to continue taking this medicine.
If you are taking a benzodiazepine for epilepsy or another seizure disorder:
- Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card or bracelet stating that you are taking this medicine.
If you are taking a benzodiazepine for insomnia (trouble in sleeping):
- If you think you need this medicine for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.
- You may have difficulty sleeping (rebound insomnia) for the first few nights after you stop taking this medicine.
Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence)
- A strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
- A need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
- Withdrawal effects (for example, irritability, nervousness, trouble in sleeping, abdominal or stomach cramps, trembling or shaking) occurring after the medicine is stopped.
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