Table of contents:
- What are benzodiazepine antidepressants?
- The harmful effects of benzodiazepines in the body
- So can this drug be used safely?
- What if you are dependent on benzodiazepines?
Have you ever heard of benzodiazepine antidepressants? Well, reported on the Livestrong page, dr. Malcom Thaler and dr. Ellen Vora explained that there is a danger behind antidepressant drugs, especially this type of benzodiazepine. This drug is effective in use. However, do not underestimate the side effects when choosing this drug. Why? Check out the reviews 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 that are included in this benzodiazepine. However, only a few are recognized by the FDA (which is the equivalent of the US Food and Drug Administration), namely:
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
These drugs are acquired drugs by prescription. Cannot be arbitrary. If anyone is taking it freely and using this drug as a sedative, this includes drug abuse.
By increasing the activity of a receptor called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain, this group of drugs will increase the calming effect on the brain. The brain needs to be calmed because when people experience anxiety or severe anxiety, the brain becomes too active so this hyperactivity needs to be slowed down. That way, the symptoms of anxiety that will arise can be avoided.
This type of drug will also have 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 supervised by a doctor will help reduce anxiety and even insomnia. In a dose that has been 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 that are used continues until he is over 65 years of age at risk of experiencing an increase in dementia.
According to dr. Malcom Thaler and Dr. Ellen Vora, the effects of benzodiazepines can even be seen in the lowest doses even though they are given by a doctor. Using this drug for three consecutive months can increase your risk of Alzheimer's by up to 50 percent.
At high doses, benzodiazepines can cause life-threatening respiratory suppression or result in coma.
In addition, the use of this drug is often abused. For example, mixed with opoids, alcohol, or tricyclic antidepressants. As a result, the effects of this drug can be fatal (cause death).
The most common symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose are central nervous system damage and poisoning accompanied by balance and motor problems. Talking becomes unclear, like gibbering.
Other effects that will be caused by benzodiazepine drugs that you need to be aware of are:
- Shaking or shivering
- Talk gibberish
- Coordination disturbances
- Visual disturbances
- Difficulty breathing
- Headache
- Coma
So can this drug be used safely?
Benzodiazepines are safe and can be used as effective antidepressant drugs, but their use must be very careful. Doctors who administer this drug must be very careful not to give too many doses. Benzodiazepines should also not be used as a first-line drug if there are 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). The types of SNRIs that can be used are venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medications may be the first choice for managing the general anxiety in patients who need treatment.
What if you are dependent on benzodiazepines?
Immediately consult your doctor. If a person has become dependent on drugs in this group, do not suddenly stop taking them, but slowly. Quitting a benzodiazepine suddenly has a dangerous effect known as a withdrawal symptom. This can cause tremors, muscle cramps, and life-threatening seizures.
You also shouldn't stop taking this drug without your doctor's knowledge. It is important for patients to always discuss the effects of medications with their doctor and tell them before you want to stop taking benzodiazepines. Your doctor will design a new dose and schedule for you to take your medication so you can stop slowly.
