Why benzodiazepines work

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Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? It is generally recommended that people who are taking benzodiazepines and who wish to come off the drug should reduce the dose by small amounts on a weekly or fortnightly basis, on the advice of their doctor — even if after only a few weeks of benzodiazepine use.

Sticking to a plan to reduce benzodiazepines slowly allows the body and mind to adjust to each level and gradually return to normal. Australian Medicines Handbook Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. The treatment of anxiety disorders: clinician guides and patient manuals.

Current Opinion in Psychiatry — Sign up below for regular emails filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones. Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepines are a class of drug commonly known as minor tranquillisers and sleeping pills. How do benzodiazepines work?

Benzodiazepines and anxiety Research shows that psychological therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy CBT are the most effective in helping people with anxiety conditions. Benzodiazepines and older people In addition to the risks of dependency, when older people take benzodiazepines long-term, they are vulnerable to problems including: over-sedation increased risk of falls impaired blood pressure regulation exacerbation of respiratory conditions nocturnal incontinence problems thinking clearly.

Benzodiazepines and sleep Benzodiazepines can be useful, occasionally, to induce sleep, but they have a limited role in helping people with established sleep problems.

Benzodiazepines and side effects Benzodiazepines are generally safe to use. Pregnancy and breastfeeding It's generally best to avoid or limit the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and use them intermittently or for short periods under medical supervision if they're necessary — for example for the treatment of severe anxiety during pregnancy. Benzodiazepine dependency Benzodiazepines are potentially addictive drugs. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines People who have been taking benzodiazepines for many years can have symptoms of withdrawal most of the time, even when they have not reduced the dose.

What are the symptoms of withdrawal? Common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include: anxiety insomnia feeling detached from reality heightened sensitivity to noise, light, smell and touch muscle pain headaches shaking dizziness feeling depressed nausea loss of memory loss of appetite seizures may occur with sudden and complete stopping of benzodiazepines. How long does withdrawal last? How to come off benzodiazepines For a variety of reasons, many people find that they have been taking benzodiazepines for a lot longer than the period recommended as being safe.

Next steps Who can assist Find a health professional Publications and resources. The content in this section was developed by Beyond Blue and reconnexion. References 1 Rossi, S. They include :. Taking too much of a benzodiazepine can be dangerous, and mixing it with alcohol or other substances can be fatal. This article looks at how benzodiazepines work, their uses, and the related side effects and risks.

Benzodiazepines alter the activity of the neurons that trigger stress and anxiety reactions. The type of benzodiazepine will determine the potential uses. Doctors may also prescribe these drugs off-label for various other conditions and issues, including:.

Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that communicate messages between brain cells. These messages can have either a stimulating or a calming effect.

GABA is a neurotransmitter that sends calming messages to the body. When a person feels anxious, overstimulation occurs in the brain. When people take benzodiazepines, the brain will send messages to counter this overstimulation. This activity can reduce the symptoms of anxiety. There are many different benzodiazepines.

They differ in terms of potency, how quickly the body absorbs them, and their uses. This table shows some examples and their uses:. FDA requiring boxed warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class. Updated October 2, Vinkers CH, Olivier B. Mechanisms underlying tolerance after long-term benzodiazepine use: A future for subtype-selective GABA A receptor modulators? Adv Pharmacol Sci. National Institute of Mental Health. Mental health medications.

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We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. How They Work. Side Effects. Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal. Potential for Overdose When used as directed, benzodiazepines are generally safe and effective. Symptoms and signs of overdose include: Extreme sedation Confusion Impaired coordination Diminished reflexes Difficulty breathing Coma If benzodiazepine overdose is suspected, immediate medical attention is required.

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