Benzodiazepines

Xanax is a benzodiazepine that is most often used to treat anxiety. The effects of benzodiazepines mainly come from their ability to alter the movement of the inhibitory transmitter known as GABAa. GABA is triggered to release when it then can bind to the GABAa receptor. The binding of the two causes the ion channel to open and chloride ions are sent across the cell membrane. This causes the inhibitory factor by depolarizing the membrane (Griffin et al., 2013).

Recent studies indicate that limiting the use of certain medications can improve a senior's life. One study, conducted by researchers at Indiana University, finds that the prolonged use of anticholinergics may cause physical changes within the brain that could lead to dementia. Furthermore, The Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) released information related to a program it started in 2014: This study examined how the discontinuation of antipsychotic medications affected the seniors who were taking them to treat dementia. The results indicate that seniors’ lives may improve when antipsychotic medications (that are being used to treat dementia) are discontinued.

Narcolepsy is when patients suddenly and uncontrollably fall asleep. Depressants are also used for anesthesia like benzodiazepines and barbiturates which are effective as sedatives. By depressing brain activity, these depressants are able to help patients fall asleep. Barbiturates can be used to treat sleep disorders, as can benzodiazepines. Because both medications can take hours to get out of the body, however, another class of medications has been developed for the treatment of sleep disorders. Zolpidem and eszopiclone are two different medications that can treat only some of the parts of the brain that respond to benzodiazepines. Depressants can also be used medically as anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants work to lower the overall activity in the brain, thus helping prevent the abnormal electrical

High dosages of benzodiazepines creates a massive clinical concern as patients can be easily dependent. Benzodiazepines are an incredibly abused drug in the U.S. Withdrawal treatment is recommended; however, it is sometimes unsuccessful for a large portion of patients. While ceasing the administration the drug all at once can be incredibly difficult for the patient and often times detrimental to the patient’s health, tapering is recommended by most doctors for allowing patients to successfully be independent from the drug and therapy during the tapering process is widely recommended and incredibly successful.

Möller (1999) has critically examined and analyzed the effectiveness, risk, and safety measures of using benzodiazepine that is consistent with Batelaan, Van Balkom & Stein (2012) idea. Moller (1999) argues that as much as benzodiazepine has many survival values, the drug is crammed with notable side effects and risks that can jeopardize the health of the patient. The author presented traceable basic pharmacotherapy of benzodiazepines that has played an imperative role in accounting the side effects of it. In addition, the author has provided pharmacological properties of benzodiazepines and linked the properties with side effects and potential risks. The author has analyzed the clinical indications and

Also known as Xanax and Klonopin. They both had side effects, but were meant to help me stay calm. Xanax sends you into a high state. It makes it so you cannot focus on what's causing you to worry or panic, But it made me unable to focus at all for that matter. Klonopin started to give me nightmares. Not even my sanctuary, sleep, kept its innocence from the irrational terrors. My determined path to relief kept me going. I wouldn't give up just yet. I still take both medications. If I wasn't so determined, I would have been a lost cause by now. As Jackie Robinson once said, "Above anything else, I hate to

I enjoyed reading your post. Brett and Murnion (2015) recognizes the harm of benzodiazepine dependence; it is accounted for cognitive decline and falls in the elderly, not to mention, increased mortality and morbidity rate due to overdosing with these type of medication. I agree with Celso, these drugs are commonly used for insomnia and anxiety.

Potent pharmaceuticals like Haldol (haloperidol), Roxanol (morphine sulfate oral suspension), and Ativan (lorazepam) have clear benefits in Advanced Dementia (AD) patients. Though often contraindicated in elderly and demented patients, these and similar medications are frequently used in hospice and palliative care settings for terminally ill patients. Elderly and demented patients can frequently have reactions to these medications that are the opposite of their intended effect, which can discourage providers from utilizing these medications.

Treatment for aloprazalam drug toxicity consists of cardiac monitoring and oxygen. Naloxone can be administered at a lower dose with a gradual increase if needed to reverse respiratory depression which happens in most patients. Another treatment is the use of flumazenil which is the specific antidote for benzodiazepines. (Gershman, 2014). However, the use of this drug is controversial and does have some contraindications. It is contraindicated in patients with long-term benzodiazepines, patients who have ingested a substance that lowers the seizure threshold, or in patients who have tachycardia. The contraindications increase risk of seizures, cardiac arrest and possibly death. Because of the contraindications, most of the time flumazenil is not used for the treatment of benzodiazepine overdose. Although flumazenil is contraindicated and not used often, it can be very effective in reversing central nervous system depression associated with benzodiazepine toxicity but not effective in reversing respiratory depression. Flumazenil has a short half life of less than one hour and multiple doses may be needed for treatment. When flumazenil is used risk can be reduced by a slow dose titration of the drug

Both benzodiazepines and barbiturates are highly addictive and when prescribed the patient can become dependent, but benzodiazepines are much more worse and why it is only used in clinical areas under close surveillance. A new medication called buspirone (BuSpar), is used to help increase the efficiency of the bodies own emotion-regulating chemicals. This drug has by far many more advantages than other anxiolytics, it does not cause dependency, does not interact with alcohol and it does not affect the individual's ability to drive or operate heavy machinery (Narins, 2013). The downfall of long term medication is that it may cause can cause liver issues, dependency, and the price of medication in today's economy is

Recently published study revealed that dementia patients who are taking antipsychotics drugs are more on risks of death. And the risk increased as dose increased. Patients, families and their care teams deserve better to prevent and treat distressing dementia symptoms. So it better to avoid this drug in dementia patient. When treating behavior problems in dementia patients, non-medicinal strategies are often more effective; however, they require time, energy, and,

Agitation is often managed with the use of medications or restraints. The implementation of these methods can cause both psychological and physiological problems. Medications given to a person with brain damage can lead to unpredictable responses. It has been found that specifically, Benzodiazepine medications, which often result in sedation or relaxation can cause agitation, insomnia or aggression in those patients with Dementia. The treatment then for these behaviors is usually more sedative drugs; thus continuing a vicious cycle of unresolved behavior. Other side effects common in sedatives are confusion, disorientation, and blurred vision; resulting in safety concerns for the individual. Improvement in communication and modification in

Sedative-hypnotics, including benzodiazepines, are a group of drugs used to treat the symptoms of anxiety, panic disorders, and insomnia.

They are tranquilizers, but have a higher therapeutic index than Barbiturates. Benzo’s have an effect on the mind, they are habit forming and can alter the thinking process. Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams.

The efficacy and safety of the drug in patients under the age of 18 years is not established. With renal / hepatic insufficiency and long-term treatment, control over the picture of peripheral blood and liver enzymes is necessary. Patients who did not take previously psychoactive drugs respond to the drug at lower doses compared to patients taking antidepressants, anxiolytics or alcohol. With endogenous depression, alprazolam can be used in combination with antidepressants. With the use of alprazolam, patients with depression have seen cases of hypomanic and manic development. Like other benzodiazepines, alprazolam has the ability to induce drug dependence in long-term admission in large doses (more than 4 mg / day). With a sudden discontinuation of alprazolam, there may be comeback syndromes, such as depression, irritability, insomnia, increased sweating, especially with prolonged admission (more than 8-12 weeks). When patients develop such unusual reactions as increased aggressiveness, acute excitations, feelings of fear, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, increased muscle cramps, difficult sleep, superficial sleep, treatment should be discontinued. During pregnancy Xanax is very dangerous due to its toxic effect on the fetus and increases the risk of congenital malformations when applied in the first trimester of pregnancy. Admission of therapeutic doses in later periods