Benzodiazepines Research Paper

The purpose of this paper is to go into extensive research on Alprazolam aka “Xanax” in the duration of this paper, it will be evident the impact that this drug can have on the human body and in my instances, it will be apparent not only how helpful it can be but how life damaging it can be, if not taken safely and carefully. This report will go into extensive detail on the psychodynamics of the drug as well as the pharmacokinetics. Alprazolam is quite powerful and mind altering the affects that it can have on the body can be very intense, especially if not taking carefully which is why it is vital to make sure that you take the recommended doses taken by your doctor, failure to do so can result in death.

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).

Antipsychotic medications may be prescribed as a means to control aggressive behavior that is brought on by dementia: Nearly 30 percent of Canadian seniors residing in long-term care facilities take antipsychotic medications despite the fact that they do not have psychosis. A report from the CFHI suggests that discontinuing these medications for an alternative treatment may be more beneficial to these seniors.

Psychotropic medications are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily for the treatment of psychosis and mood disturbances associated with schizophrenia or bipolar disorders (Grunier, 2008). Despite FDA black box warnings related to the “off-label” use of these medications in the dementia population, a survey conducted by the Office of Inspector General in 2011 found that 86% to 95% of nursing home residents received these medications for other indications, such as managing behavioral disturbances associated with dementia (Chiu, 2015). It is the overuse and misuse of psychotropic medications, in particular as a strategy to subdue residents, that has designated these drugs to be labeled

Nearly half of seniors do not take their medications when or how they were prescribed. There are mistakes on dosages, methods of delivery, time of delivery, what they should be taken with, and even if they should still be taken. Compounding the issue, most seniors over the age of 65 are taking between 8 and 13 different medications. Put these numbers together and it is no wonder that problems with medication management are one of the leading reasons seniors end up in the emergency room, and is the number one reason seniors end up back in the hospital after being recently discharged. According to a study published in "Pharmacotherapy", nearly 70 percent of hospitalized seniors suffered from at least one

Methaqualone, is also referred to as Disco Biscuits, Down And Dirties, Jekyll-and-Hyde, Joe Fridays, Lemmon 714, Lemons, Lennon's, Lovers, Ludes, Mandies, Mandrake, Q, Qua, Quack, Quad, Quaaludes, Soaper, Supper, Vitamin Q, The Love Drug, Wallbangers, Whore Pills, and Sopor. This list of street names for the drug goes on and on.

What drug is the antagonist and may be used to treat benzodiazepine overdose? What is the dosage in adults? Pediatric patients? What is the risk for complication with its use?

These drugs have the ability to reduce CNS activity causing the drug to promote fatigue which allows for a more productive sleep. Benzodiazepines that are intended to treat insomnia are classified as hypnotics. Some benzodiazepines are considered sedatives because they are prescribed to relax and calm patients which allows successful treatment for anxiety. Benzodiazepines are considered to substantially less dangerous than barbiturates because there are usually lower doses prescribed which lead to fewer instances of addiction. However, these drugs can be considered dangerous when they are combined with alcohol. Mixing barbiturates with alcohol can cause heightened and harmful

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are utilized for their ability to reversibly block the reuptake of serotonin in the synaptic cleft. In order to understand the importance of these drugs, it is crucial to review the various regions of the brains that are influenced by serotonin and the implications of impaired functioning. A dysfunction in the hypothalamus region of the brain might lead to weight or appetite changes. Sleep disturbances are characterized by a dysfunction in the hypothalamus as well, along with the thalamus, basal forebrain, and prefrontal cortex. Thoughts of suicide and perceived feelings of guilt or worthlessness are associated with a dysfunction in the brain regions connected to our emotional well-being, including the amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, and orbitofrontal cortex. Psychomotor agitation is linked

I would explain to my client what can occur while on benzo’s for a long period of time. I would explain to her that for their best interest that we need to start slowly taking them off the pill. I would explain to my client that after a certain period of time benzo’s are not always effective. Take anxiety, for example, symptoms may seem to worsen before their medication is due. An individual may feel that they have to take two instead of one just to get by. I would also explain to my client that I do not want to take them off the medication right away, however, ween them off the medication. When an individual stops taking benzo’s suddenly they may feel some discomfort. This discomfort may seem like the original problem returning, but is actually due to your body getting used to not having the drug any longer.

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

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

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

Benzo(a)pyrene undergoes metabolic activation by the cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase system and is converted to reactive, toxic metabolites that bind covalently to cellular elements such as DNA. Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide specifically targets the protective p53 gene [21] This gene is a transcription factor that regulates the cell cycle and hence functions as a tumor suppressor. By inducing G (guanine) to T (thymidine) transversions in transversion hotspots within p53, there is a probability that benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide inactivates the tumor suppression ability in certain cells, leading to

Alprazolam is also classified as a benzodiazepine that helps facilitate sleep by producing a calming effect that helps in muscle relaxation and motor coordination. The drug also affects the Central Nervous System and the limbic and subcortical levels of the brain. The drug binds to specific receptors at several different sites in the brain. An anti-anxiety effect is produced by the drug increasing the force of the neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid on its receptor which enhances inhibition and blocks the stimulation of the limbic and cortical portions of the brain. The effects of the drugs range from mild cognitive change to complete mood changer depending on the how high or low of the dose the patient is taking (“DrugBank: Alprazolam”,