Are benzodiazepines good?

Are benzodiazepines good?

Yes, and they usually work very well. In general, they are good for treatment of many types of anxiety problems over short (but not long) periods of time. Benzos are very helpful for treating panic attacks, at least for the first 1 to 2 months.

What is the problem with benzodiazepines?

Many patients underestimate the degree of impairment caused by benzodiazepines. 8 Benzodiazepines increase the risk of addiction, withdrawal, cognitive decline, motor vehicle crashes, and hip fracture. The risk of overdose is particularly great when combined with sedative drugs such as opioids or alcohol.

Why you should not take benzodiazepines?

Using benzodiazepines, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening. Using benzodiazepines can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of benzodiazepines increases your risk of overdose and death.

Are benzodiazepines safer than antidepressants?

In trials that compared benzodiazepines with the newer antidepressants, the benzodiazepines “resulted in comparable or greater improvements and fewer adverse events in patients suffering from GAD or panic disorder,” Offidani and colleagues added.

Are benzodiazepines anti anxiety?

Anti-anxiety medications help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or extreme fear and worry. The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep.

What are the long-term effects of taking benzodiazepines?

The long-term use of benzodiazepines may have a similar effect on the brain as alcohol, and is also implicated in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mania, psychosis, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, delirium, and neurocognitive disorders.

Are benzodiazepines safe long-term?

While benzodiazepines are highly effective in the short term, adverse effects associated with long-term use, including impaired cognitive abilities, memory problems, mood swings, and overdoses when combined with other drugs, may make the risk-benefit ratio unfavourable.

What is the action of benzodiazepines?

Pharmacology. Benzodiazepines are a group of CNS depressants which induce feelings of calm (anxiolysis), drowsiness and sleep. They act by facilitating the binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at various GABA receptors throughout the CNS.

Can you be on Benzos for life?

Generally speaking, when used as directed under supervision from a doctor, benzodiazepines are relatively safe for short periods of time. They are not, however, meant to be taken for longer than a few weeks to a few months at most.

What are the most common side effects of benzodiazepines?

Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are the most common side effects reported. This can make it dangerous for people taking benzodiazepines to drive or operate machinery or perform other hazardous tasks. Alcohol may potentiate these effects.

Is it safe to take benzodiazepines?

When prescribed by a doctor and used for short periods of time, such as the day of surgery or for less than two weeks to aid sleep, benzodiazepines are safe to take. Problems start to arise when benzodiazepines are taken at higher dosages than recommended, or when they are taken for more than two to four weeks.

Can Tolerance develop with the use of benzodiazepines?

In addition, tolerance can develop with their use. This is when the same dose no longer gives the same effect, and a dosage increase is needed to ease symptoms again. Benzodiazepines should only be taken at the lowest dose for the shortest possible length of time.

What is the best generic for benzodiazepines?

List of Benzodiazepines: Drug Name Avg. Rating Reviews Xanax ( Pro) Generic name: alprazolam 8.8 843 reviews Klonopin ( Pro) Generic name: clonazepam 8.5 688 reviews Ativan ( Pro) Generic name: lorazepam 8.0 424 reviews Valium ( Pro) Generic name: diazepam 8.6 294 reviews