Dangers of long-term benzodiazepine use
Posted 04-21-2008 at 09:14 PM by ladypam
Ever since benzodiazepines have been introduced as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety, people prescribed for it became stuck with it since it makes them dependent on it. Because doctors before were not much knowledgeable about the effects of taking benzodiazepines for a long time, they prescribed it to patients for as long as they need it. Unfortunately, it took a patient’s initiative for the doctor to find out how serious it is to take benzodiazepines for a long time.
Benzodiazepines are fast acting medications. They can provide relief from the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia in a matter of several hours. In fact, it is ideally given for only 2 to 4 weeks at most since this is the time that it is most effective; longer than this decreases the efficacy of the medication. Going beyond this time frame may also cause several conditions to occur such as dependence and tolerance, with extremely serious and debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepines
Since the prescribed period of taking benzodiazepines is only up to four weeks, an extension of this can have the person produce a tolerance to it. When tolerance occurs, the dosage of the medication is increased because its original dose is rendered less effective, sometimes even to the point of taking 2 benzodiazepines simultaneously. The degree of tolerance of the drugs given vary according to brand and type of benzodiazepine used.
Tolerance occurs when the body adjusts itself to having the drug present in the body at all times, and thus overcomes its effects. With benzodiazepines, the receptors for GABA and benzodiazepines are decreased therefore a decrease in its activity occurs. Consequently, excitatory neurotransmitters are restored. Each individual has their own personal development of tolerance to medications, especially benzodiazepines. Tolerance is a major reason for making this medication habit forming, which is usually addressed when withdrawal symptoms are being treated.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepine Effect on Sleep
On the other hand, the tolerance that develops on the various benzodiazepine actions are at different rates and degrees. A tolerance to its ability to make you sleep easily develops as seen in recordings made on sleep patterns that show a return in levels before treatment following a number of weeks of using benzodiazepine. Those who use benzodiazepines during the day time to treat anxiety are also seen to be alert following several days of using benzodiazepine.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepine Effect on Anxiety
On its effects on the treatment of anxiety, it develops more gradually but after a few months of use, it is found not to be as effective as before. There is even evidence pointing to an aggravation in anxiety after using it for longer periods of time. A lot of patients even develop panic attacks. This is actually a form of a withdrawal symptom that occurs even while taking benzodiazepine because of a developed tolerance to it.
Tolerance to other Benzodiazepine effects
Becoming tolerant to the effects of benzodiazepines on convulsions make it harder for them to receive treatment for epilepsy. A tolerance on the effects on motor skills by benzodiazepines results in having the ability to ride a bike even while taking large doses of the medication. But, a tolerance on its effect on cognition and memory is non-existent. It remains damaged with a slow incomplete recovery after gradual stopping of taking benzodiazepines.
Dependence on Benzodiazepines
Dependence on benzodiazepines can occur even if you take them for therapeutic purposes. As long as it is taken into the body for an extended period of time, regularly or repeatedly, there is always the chance of becoming dependent on benzodiazepines. And dependence in benzodiazepine can overlap in type.
Dependence from Therapeutic doses
There are certain characteristics that can describe people who are dependent on benzodiazepines therapy, wherein they are known to take low doses of benzodiazepines for several months to even years. These people feel a need to take benzodiazepines to be able to function normally in their daily routine, even if the condition it was prescribed for has already been treated. Most of them would rather take the drug than stop or reduce its dosage because the alternative symptoms of withdrawal are harder to endure. They usually crave to take the next dose or become more anxious whenever they are taking benzodiazepines that have a short period of action. They even try to bring their medications even if they are out for fear that they may not be able to take it on time. Sometimes, they resort to taking an extra dose in anticipation of a stressful event. These people usually have regular contact with their doctor to be able to keep their prescriptions filled and to request an increase in dosage. And a most distinct characteristic is the presence of the symptoms that has pushed them to taking benzodiazepines in the first place such as anxiety, agoraphobia, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and other physical symptoms that manifest even while taking the medication.
Dependence from High Doses
Several people who are on benzodiazepines usually end up seeking for an increase in dosage, first from their doctor, to other doctors and hospitals who would be wiling to give them the needed amount. These are also the same people who mix benzodiazepines with alcoholic drinks. They are frequently seen to be depressed, extremely anxious, and have certain difficulties about their personalities. They also have a previous history of drug and alcohol abuse.
Other Risks and Effects of Using Benzodiazepine for Long Periods
It also has several socioeconomic risks associated with using benzodiazepine for a long period of time. There is an increase in the risk of accidents occurring at home, at work and in traffic. There is also an increase in the risk of dying from an overdose, especially when specific drugs may have combined with it. An increase in suicide attempts and depression may also result from taking benzodiazepines as well as a higher incidence of assault and aggressive behavior. People addicted to benzodiazepines have been seen to shoplift, and other acts of antisocial behavior. For couples, taking benzodiazepine contributes to misunderstandings between spouses, including an emotional breakdown and impairment of cognition. These people cannot hold on to a steady job because of these symptoms affect the way they work and yet they need to work because of the increase in cost of hospital bills, including its consultations and admissions.
Benzodiazepines are not also indicated for pregnant women, since it can affect even the newborn. There is also the risk of repeating the same problem due to dependence and recreational. Aside from these physical factors, there is also the matter of the cost of litigation and other drug prescriptions.
Benzodiazepines are a good class of anxiety medications that work effectively during a short period of time. But there is always a risk of becoming dependent on it. If you feel that you are one of those attached to benzodiazepine, consult your doctor for advice on medications and to help you withdraw from your own dependence from benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines are fast acting medications. They can provide relief from the symptoms of anxiety and insomnia in a matter of several hours. In fact, it is ideally given for only 2 to 4 weeks at most since this is the time that it is most effective; longer than this decreases the efficacy of the medication. Going beyond this time frame may also cause several conditions to occur such as dependence and tolerance, with extremely serious and debilitating withdrawal symptoms.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepines
Since the prescribed period of taking benzodiazepines is only up to four weeks, an extension of this can have the person produce a tolerance to it. When tolerance occurs, the dosage of the medication is increased because its original dose is rendered less effective, sometimes even to the point of taking 2 benzodiazepines simultaneously. The degree of tolerance of the drugs given vary according to brand and type of benzodiazepine used.
Tolerance occurs when the body adjusts itself to having the drug present in the body at all times, and thus overcomes its effects. With benzodiazepines, the receptors for GABA and benzodiazepines are decreased therefore a decrease in its activity occurs. Consequently, excitatory neurotransmitters are restored. Each individual has their own personal development of tolerance to medications, especially benzodiazepines. Tolerance is a major reason for making this medication habit forming, which is usually addressed when withdrawal symptoms are being treated.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepine Effect on Sleep
On the other hand, the tolerance that develops on the various benzodiazepine actions are at different rates and degrees. A tolerance to its ability to make you sleep easily develops as seen in recordings made on sleep patterns that show a return in levels before treatment following a number of weeks of using benzodiazepine. Those who use benzodiazepines during the day time to treat anxiety are also seen to be alert following several days of using benzodiazepine.
Tolerance to Benzodiazepine Effect on Anxiety
On its effects on the treatment of anxiety, it develops more gradually but after a few months of use, it is found not to be as effective as before. There is even evidence pointing to an aggravation in anxiety after using it for longer periods of time. A lot of patients even develop panic attacks. This is actually a form of a withdrawal symptom that occurs even while taking benzodiazepine because of a developed tolerance to it.
Tolerance to other Benzodiazepine effects
Becoming tolerant to the effects of benzodiazepines on convulsions make it harder for them to receive treatment for epilepsy. A tolerance on the effects on motor skills by benzodiazepines results in having the ability to ride a bike even while taking large doses of the medication. But, a tolerance on its effect on cognition and memory is non-existent. It remains damaged with a slow incomplete recovery after gradual stopping of taking benzodiazepines.
Dependence on Benzodiazepines
Dependence on benzodiazepines can occur even if you take them for therapeutic purposes. As long as it is taken into the body for an extended period of time, regularly or repeatedly, there is always the chance of becoming dependent on benzodiazepines. And dependence in benzodiazepine can overlap in type.
Dependence from Therapeutic doses
There are certain characteristics that can describe people who are dependent on benzodiazepines therapy, wherein they are known to take low doses of benzodiazepines for several months to even years. These people feel a need to take benzodiazepines to be able to function normally in their daily routine, even if the condition it was prescribed for has already been treated. Most of them would rather take the drug than stop or reduce its dosage because the alternative symptoms of withdrawal are harder to endure. They usually crave to take the next dose or become more anxious whenever they are taking benzodiazepines that have a short period of action. They even try to bring their medications even if they are out for fear that they may not be able to take it on time. Sometimes, they resort to taking an extra dose in anticipation of a stressful event. These people usually have regular contact with their doctor to be able to keep their prescriptions filled and to request an increase in dosage. And a most distinct characteristic is the presence of the symptoms that has pushed them to taking benzodiazepines in the first place such as anxiety, agoraphobia, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, and other physical symptoms that manifest even while taking the medication.
Dependence from High Doses
Several people who are on benzodiazepines usually end up seeking for an increase in dosage, first from their doctor, to other doctors and hospitals who would be wiling to give them the needed amount. These are also the same people who mix benzodiazepines with alcoholic drinks. They are frequently seen to be depressed, extremely anxious, and have certain difficulties about their personalities. They also have a previous history of drug and alcohol abuse.
Other Risks and Effects of Using Benzodiazepine for Long Periods
It also has several socioeconomic risks associated with using benzodiazepine for a long period of time. There is an increase in the risk of accidents occurring at home, at work and in traffic. There is also an increase in the risk of dying from an overdose, especially when specific drugs may have combined with it. An increase in suicide attempts and depression may also result from taking benzodiazepines as well as a higher incidence of assault and aggressive behavior. People addicted to benzodiazepines have been seen to shoplift, and other acts of antisocial behavior. For couples, taking benzodiazepine contributes to misunderstandings between spouses, including an emotional breakdown and impairment of cognition. These people cannot hold on to a steady job because of these symptoms affect the way they work and yet they need to work because of the increase in cost of hospital bills, including its consultations and admissions.
Benzodiazepines are not also indicated for pregnant women, since it can affect even the newborn. There is also the risk of repeating the same problem due to dependence and recreational. Aside from these physical factors, there is also the matter of the cost of litigation and other drug prescriptions.
Benzodiazepines are a good class of anxiety medications that work effectively during a short period of time. But there is always a risk of becoming dependent on it. If you feel that you are one of those attached to benzodiazepine, consult your doctor for advice on medications and to help you withdraw from your own dependence from benzodiazepines.
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