Contents:
- Medical Video: CAN YOU TAKE PRESCRIBED BENZODIAZEPINES Every Day? (For Depression & Anxiety)
- What are benzodiazepine antidepressants?
- The harmful effects of benzodiazepines in the body
- So can this medicine be used safely?
- What if it's benzodiazepine dependent?
Medical Video: CAN YOU TAKE PRESCRIBED BENZODIAZEPINES Every Day? (For Depression & Anxiety)
Have you ever heard of a benzodiazepine antidepressant? Well, reported on the Livestrong page, Dr. Malcom Thaler and Dr. Ellen Vora explained that there was a danger behind antidepressant drugs, especially this type of benzodiazepine. This medicine is indeed effective to use. However, do not underestimate the side effects when choosing this drug. Why? Check out the review below.
What are benzodiazepine antidepressants?
Like other antidepressant drugs, benzodiazepines are used to help treat a variety of anxiety, anxiety, and panic disorders.
There are various types of drugs included in this benzodiazepine. However, which is recognized by the FDA (which is equivalent to the POM from the United States) there are only a few, namely:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
These drugs are drugs that are obtained by prescription. Can't be careless. If there are people who get freely and use these drugs as tranquilizers, this includes drug abuse.
By increasing the activity of a receptor named GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) which is present in the brain, this group of drugs will add to the calming effect on the brain. The brain needs to be calmed because when people experience anxiety or severe anxiety, the brain becomes overactive so this hyperactivity needs to be slowed down. That way, symptoms of anxiety that will arise can also be avoided.
This type of drug will also provide a relaxing effect on the muscles. Therefore, you may feel weak after taking this antidepressant drug.
The harmful effects of benzodiazepines in the body
Benzodiazepines at normal doses that are given and monitored by a doctor will help reduce anxiety and even insomnia. In doses calculated by doctors and pharmacists, the body can tolerate the harmful effects of this type of drug.
Reporting from the Medical News Today page, the use of low-dose benzodiazepines used continues until he is over 65 years of age at the risk of increasing dementia.
According to Dr. Malcom Thaler and Dr. Ellen Vora, the effects of benzodiazepines can even be seen in the lowest doses even if given by a doctor. The use of this drug for three consecutive months can increase the risk of Alzheimer's by 50 percent.
At high doses, benzodiazepines can cause respiratory stresses that are life threatening or result in coma.
In addition, the use of this drug is often misused. For example mixed with opoid, alcohol, or tricyclic antidepressants. As a result, the effect of this drug can be fatal (causing death).
The most common symptom of benzodiazepine overdose is central nervous system damage and poisoning accompanied by balance and motor disorders. Talking becomes unclear, like raving.
Other effects that will be caused by benzodiazepine drugs that you need to be aware of are:
- Shaking or shivering
- Talk about raving
- Impaired coordination
- Visual impairment
- Breathless
- Headache
- Coma
So can this medicine be used safely?
Benzodiazepines are safe and can be used as effective antidepressant drugs, but their use must be very careful. The doctor who gives this drug must be very careful not to give too much dose. Benzodiazepines should also not be used as the first treatment drug if there are still other types of drugs that can be given.
Alternatively, use other types of drugs such as SSRIs and SNRIs. SSRIs that can be used are sertaline (Zoloft) or escitalopram (Lexapro). SNRI types can be used such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These drugs can be the first choice for managing anxiety that is common in patients who need treatment.
What if it's benzodiazepine dependent?
Immediately consult your doctor. If someone has become dependent on drugs in this group, don't suddenly stop consuming it, but slowly. Stopping drinking benzodiazepines suddenly will have a harmful effect known as drug withdrawal symptoms. This can cause tremors, muscle cramps, and life-threatening seizures.
You also cannot stop taking this drug without the doctor's knowledge. It is important for patients to always discuss the effects of the drug on the doctor and notify you before you want to stop taking benzodiazepines. The doctor will design the dosage and schedule for taking the new medication so you can stop slowly.
