No guideline has been established for children between 6 and 12 years of age. For children over 12 years of age, use mg three to four times a day. Chlordiazepoxide: Dose adjustment may be needed in children with renal impairment. Diazepam: No dose adjustment needed Oxazepam: No dose adjustment needed. Most benzodiazepines can cause these side effects due to their inhibitory effects on brain neurotransmission: Anterograde amnesia Confusion Dizziness Depression Sedation Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines seizures, hallucinations, agitation, tremors are most common when using benzodiazepines with shorter half-lives.
Alprazolam: Changes in appetite decrease or increase , weight gain, reduced mucosal production leading to xerostomia and constipation, confusion, sedation, cognitive impairment, memory impairment, irritability Chlordiazepoxide: Edema, constipation, nausea, confusion, sedation, cognitive impairment, memory impairment, irritability Clonazepam: Depression, ataxia, dizziness, confusion, sedation, cognitive impairment, memory impairment, irritability, upper respiratory infection, respiratory depression Diazepam: Hypotension, ataxia, dizziness, confusion, sedation, cognitive impairment Lorazepam: Depression, ataxia, dizziness, confusion, sedation, cognitive impairment Oxazepam: Dizziness, headache, sedation.
Alprazolam: Decreased libido Chlordiazepoxide: Irregular menses, decreased libido Clonazepam: Suicidal ideation Diazepam: Muscle weakness, respiratory depression; rash and diarrhea can occur with rectal gel use Lorazepam: Delirium especially in elderly patients , weakness.
Benzodiazepine and alcohol can have a synergistic interaction, leading to CNS depression and death. Please refer to standard drug information resources to check for specific interactions. Drug-to-Drug Interactions. Alprazolam: 0. Excreted primary by kidneys and some via feces Chlordiazepoxide: Metabolized by the liver and excreted primary by kidneys Clonazepam: Metabolized by the liver CYP3A4: oxidation and reduction and excreted primary by kidneys Diazepam: Metabolized by the liver CYP2C19 and CYP3A4: glucuronidation, methylation, oxidation, and hydroxylation and excreted primary by kidneys Lorazepam: Metabolized by the liver glucuronidation.
Excreted primary by kidneys and some via feces Oxazepam: Metabolized by the liver and excreted primary by kidneys. Alprazolam: hours Chlordiazepoxide: hours Clonazepam: hours Diazepam: hours Lorazepam: hours Oxazepam: hours. Benzodiazepines may be more effective than antidepressants for social anxiety disorder [9] [10]. However, benzodiazepines may worsen symptoms in patients with comorbid depression or PTSD [10].
Although beneficial for the acute relief of anxiety, long-term use of benzodiazepines is not recommended due to the risk of dependence. Although tolerance to the anxiolytic effects is uncommon, avoid use in patients with a history of substance use disorder. The risk of dependence is increased with the agents that are rapidly absorbed and with shorter half-lives, i.
Benzodiazepines may be beneficial for long-term use in refractory cases. One may preferably choose lorazepam or oxazepam: both are metabolized through conjugation and do not produce active metabolites fewer CYP drug interactions. To view other topics, please log in or purchase a subscription. Krsiak M Effects of drugs on behavior of aggressive mice. Br J Pharmacol — Liss, New York, pp 93— Muller WE, Stillbauer AE Benzodiazepine hypnotics: time course and potency of benzodiazepine receptor occupation after oral application.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav — Download references. Purkynje, Tr. Obrancu miru 10, , Brno, Czechoslovakia. You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. While effective, benzos are a short-term solution and carry the risk of physical dependence and addiction.
Fortunately, alternatives to benzodiazepines for anxiety are available, giving hope to those hoping to avoid this type of anxiety medication. They are central nervous system depressants, similar to alcohol, but are only available by prescription in the U. Benzodiazepines treat anxiety disorders by increasing the effects of GABA , a natural chemical in the brain that regulates the activity in the brain that causes anxiety. Common benzos include Xanax alprazolam , Valium diazepam , and Klonopin clonazepam , to name a few.
Ultimately, benzodiazepines are most suitable for short-term use. This is due to the risk of side effects and benzo dependency, which can occur in as little as a few weeks to a month of regular use. Once a person is dependent, benzo withdrawals and potential rebound symptoms will occur if the medication is suddenly stopped.
The withdrawals from benzodiazepines can be uncomfortable and dangerous, underscoring the importance of alternatives to benzodiazepines for anxiety. Anxiety disorders are treatable. However, as awareness of benzo addiction becomes more commonplace, substitutes for anxiety treatment are being considered more often.
Some alternatives to Xanax and other benzos for anxiety treatment include lifestyle changes, non-benzo prescriptions, over-the-counter OTC remedies, and psychotherapy. Lifestyle adjustments are tried and true methods to address chronic anxiety. While lifestyle changes for anxiety may not be enough to treat severe anxiety disorders, they will always support other methods of anxiety treatments. Lifestyle modifications include things like prioritizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
To explain, restorative sleep balances brain function, thereby improving function and reducing anxiety. These include:. Like all forms of drug abuse, individuals who abuse benzodiazepines frequently experience an extreme loss of quality of life. Benzodiazepine abuse has been linked to increased risks of suicide and suicidal ideation thoughts of suicide.
Prolonged benzodiazepine abuse can cause some very problems the drugs are designed to treat. When a physically-dependent person quits benzodiazepines, withdrawal can set in. In certain cases, withdrawal may last for several months. This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome PAWS. Individuals facing PAWS experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Acute withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs can become very dangerous, to the extent that professional treatment is necessary medical detox.
Certain individuals may experience withdrawal so severe that their life is in jeopardy. In these instances, withdrawal may cause seizures or delirium tremens.
Benzodiazepine overdose is another huge risk associated with the abuse of these drugs. According to the CDC, from to , two of the top 10 drugs responsible for overdose deaths were benzodiazepines.
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