Benzodiazepines: A Perspective American Journal of Psychiatry

Panic attacks may accompany other mood disorders such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse conditions. People with benzodiazepine tolerance may take supratherapeutic doses because the recommended range no longer provides relief for their symptoms. The higher dose may help ease your symptoms, but it can also increase your risk of overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms. Systems limitations in prescription monitoring in Australia reduce our ability to identify ‘doctor shopping’ so the presence of any aberrant drug-related behaviours should prompt further assessment and treatment. Taking these medications exactly as prescribed makes that unlikely, but it’s still possible.

Which benzodiazepines are available outside the U.S.?

Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Several types of benzodiazepines are sold under popular brand names like Valium, Xanax, and Klonopin. While a standard urine drug screen (UDS) should be ordered, it comes with many limitations. Qualitative immunoassays for benzodiazepines in benzodiazepine withdrawal urine are readily available but do not typically aid in acute management decisions. Most of these screening tests detect only benzodiazepines that are metabolized to oxazepam glucuronide. Some benzodiazepines such as clonazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, and alprazolam will not show up on many urine drug screens as a result.

Benzodiazepine Addiction and Abuse

Consequently, sufficient time should exist between doses to avoid over-sedation. Any patient who has taken a benzodiazepine for longer than 3–4 weeks is likely to have withdrawal symptoms if the drug is ceased abruptly. The risk of inducing dependence can be reduced by issuing prescriptions limited to 1–2 weeks https://ecosoberhouse.com/ supply. Unless the patient is elderly, it is helpful to switch to a long-acting benzodiazepine in both withdrawal and maintenance therapy. The dose should be gradually reduced over weeks to lower the risk of seizures. Alcohol can interact with these drugs, causing dangerous side effects or complications.

Long-Term Treatment for Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

This information is for people affected by mental illness in England who are 18 or over. It’s also for their carers, friends and relatives and anyone interested in this subject. Descriptions of studies performed on specific treatments of benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos)

This is more significant than the study by Weich et al. [47] which found a 2-fold increased hazard of death in 7 years. It was also reported that the risk of death in patients using less than 18 pills per year is increased by 3.6-fold [48]. Under the direction of a physician, certain benzodiazepines may be given in very serious and life-threatening situations like status epilepticus.

• Patients should not stop using any medications, including benzodiazepines, without first contacting their doctor.
• If you take an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, like alprazolam, or a long-acting benzodiazepine, like diazepam, it may take longer for withdrawal symptoms to appear.
• One study compared the mainstay of treatment with a standardized interview/counselling approach to treatment [72].
• In some areas, providers can’t prescribe these medications without first seeing you for a follow-up visit.

Do benzodiazepines affect other medications?

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

• Taking too much of a benzodiazepine can be dangerous, and mixing it with alcohol or other substances can be fatal.
• The benzodiazepine hypnotics shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and prolong the sleeping period.
• It is essential to follow the doctor’s instructions for stopping the use of these drugs.
• That said, if one can do as well or better with agents or methods less fraught with concerns, it would be a most reasonable decision.

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