Valium xanax halcion and librium are examples of the depressant drug class known as

Medically reviewed by L. Anderson, PharmD.

Are depressant of class xanax drug known examples valium halcion and as the librium

Medically reviewed by L. Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Jan 21, valium xanax halcion and librium are examples of the depressant drug class known as Benzodiazepines appear to work by blocking excessive activity of nerves in the brain and other areas in the central nervous system. As a class, benzodiazepines are similar in how they work in the brain but have different potencies and durations of actions. Because of this, some benzodiazepines work better than others in the treatment of particular conditions.

Common examples of benzodiazepines include alprazolam Xanaxdiazepam Valium and lorazepam Ativan. Benzodiazepines are a large drug class and have a long history of development, starting with the first FDA-approvals in the s, chloridiazepoxide Librium and diazepam Valium. There are many options available within the class, and most benzodiazepines are now available generically, making them very affordable.

As controlled substances, all benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse, addiction and diversion. In the past, benzodiazepines, especially when used as a sedative-hypnotic for sleep, were touted as safer alternatives to the older barbiturateswhich could lead to fatal overdose, particularly when combined with alcohol. Traditional benzodiazepines taken alone are rarely associated with lethal overdoses, but when combined with other sedatives or alcohol, the risk greatly increases.

Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist antidote that can be given intravenously in the emergency setting to reverse the effects of a benzodiazepine overdose. Table 1 lists U. Many of the brand name products have been discontinued by their manufacturers; however, equivalent, lower-cost generics are available for these brands. Generic Drugs - Availability and Patent Status. The shorter the half-life, the quicker the drug is eliminated, and the faster any bothersome side effects can subside.

Benzodiazepines work in the central nervous system, selectively occupying certain protein areas in the brain called GABA-A receptors. There are three types of GABA gamma-aminobutyric receptors in the brain: GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain a chemical that help to block a nerve action. GABA helps to regulate movement control, sight, anxiety, and many other brain functions.

Benzodiazepines enhance responses to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA by opening GABA-activated chloride channels and allowing chloride ions to enter the neuron. This action allows the neuron to become negatively charged and resistant to excitation, which leads to the various anti-anxiety, sedative, or anti-seizure activity seen with these drugs.

Alcohol withdrawal is diagnosed in a patient with a history of heavy and prolonged alcohol use and a sudden reduction or complete abstinence from alcohol. Alcohol withdrawal produces changes in the body, such as:. Medications such as benzodiazepines are a first-line treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal. Benzodiazepines reduce withdrawal symptoms and may be life-saving for the patient. Commonly used medicines in this group include: Lorazepam Ativan or oxazepam Serax may be adipex taking before liposuction costs in patients with liver impairment such as cirrhosis.

Chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and lorazepam can be given orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly. Oxazepam may be useful but is only available orally. Anxiety and worry is a common problem in adults; however, when chronic, unwarranted worry lasts for a period of six months or longer and interferes with normal daily activities, this may be diagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder GAD.

GAD is the most frequent anxiety disorder, affecting 6. It can be very common in older patients. Drug treatment will depend upon the level of anxiety, patient characteristics such as age and organ function, and patient preference. For patients who do not want to use medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation therapy have been shown to be effective; however the combination may work best.

Daily exercise has been shown to helpful for many patients with anxiety. Only short-term use of low-dose benzodiazepines 2 to 6 weeks is recommended, with a slow, gradual tapering once the antidepressant effect takes hold. Concerns about risks of tolerance, dependence, and diversion with benzodiazepines limit their usefulness in GAD. Benzodiazepines should be avoided in patients with a history of drug abuse.

Benzodiazepines should be used with extreme caution in the elderly due to the risk for excessive sedation, confusion, falls and fractures. Long-term use of benzodiazepines for GAD should be avoided, when possible, due to addictive risk. The benzodiazepine hypnotics shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and prolong the sleeping period.

The main differences exist in how long they might remain in the body, possibly leading "valium xanax halcion and librium are examples of the depressant drug class known as" prolonged side effects. For example, lorazepam has a much shorter duration than diazepam, allowing quicker clearance of the drug and theoretically less side effects. The benzodiazepines that were initially FDA-approved for insomnia, such as temazepam Restoril or triazolam Halcionare not used as frequently today due to the availability of the newer nonbenzodiazepine drugs, such as eszopiclone Lunestazolpidem Ambienor zaleplon Sonata.

All of the nonbenzodiazepine agents are approved only for the treatment of insomnia. Insomnia Treatment: Non-Benzodiazepines Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata. The skeletal muscle relaxant class, which includes agents such as baclofencarisoprodol Somamethocarbamol Robaxinmetaxalone Skelaxinand cyclobenzaprine Flexerilare typically used first-line when a muscle-relaxing effect is needed.

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam may be used short-term as muscle relaxants reducing the tone of skeletal muscle. These are generally used to relieve painful skeletal muscle spasms, such as what might occur with acute lower back pain. Panic disorder is a specific type of anxiety disorder. In the U. A person with panic disorder has panic attacks which are repeated episodes of intense fear which may be expected or unexpected.

These symptoms may be accompanied by physical symptoms that are similar to the body's normal response to danger, often called the "fight or flight" phenomenon. Panic attacks may accompany other mood disorders such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse conditions. Panic disorder can be a prolonged, chronic disorder, but it is very treatable with medications that lessen symptoms. The older tricyclic antidepressantssuch as nortriptyline Pamelor and imipramine Tofranil are effective, too, but may be halcion and by drowsiness and anticholinergic drug side effectswhich can be especially problematic for older patients.

In those without co-existing conditions such as depression or a history of substance abuse, benzodiazepines may be used cautiously for a short period of time. Benzodiazepines may be used at the beginning of therapy to lessen symptoms while the antidepressants take effect, which may take 4 to 6 weeks. Benzodiazepines such as clonazepam Klonopinlorazepam Ativandiazepam Valium and alprazolam Xanax are useful for panic attacks.

They are safe when used as directed and often bring quick relief from panic symptoms. When discontinued, benzodiazepines should be slowly tapered to help avoid withdrawal symptoms like rebound insomnia and anxiety. The primary disadvantage of benzodiazepines is the risk of abuse and dependence. Selection of drug therapy should be based on issues with dosing, possible side effects or drug interactions, and cost.

Procedural sedation is the use of a combination of medications to help the patient relax a sedative and to block pain an anesthetic during a medical or dental procedure. This method of sedation is common for outpatient surgery or procedures that allow the patient to return home the same day, for example, endoscopy or colonoscopy procedures, wisdom tooth extractions, biopsies, and uncomplicated surgical procedures lasting less than one hour.

The patient may remain awake but xanax examples depressant drug the valium class and halcion of as librium are known, and usually there is no recollection of the procedure. Most patients can respond to verbal cues or tactile commands. This type of sedation allows the patient to recover more quickly from anesthesia, but they will need someone to drive them home and are usually drowsy until the next day, so will need to take a full day off of work.

There is normally no need to aid breathing in conscious sedation; however, a deeper level of sedation may rarely occur, therefore respiratory and resuscitative equipment should always be available to healthcare providers. For most types of acute or prolonged seizures or status epilepticusan intravenous IV or how soon does adipex start working benzodiazepine would be the treatment of first choice.

Status epilepticus is considered a medical emergency in which there is either more than 30 minutes of continuous seizure activity; or there are two or more valium xanax halcion and librium are examples of the depressant drug class known as seizures without recovery of full consciousness between two seizures. Buccolam is a specific how is valium taken of midazolam available in the U.

It is available as an oromucosal solution a solution given in the side of the mouth between the effexor xr adderall xanax and gum in prefilled syringes. Buccolam is used for the treatment of prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures in infants, toddlers, reactive hypoglycemia and tramadol and adolescents from three months to less than 18 years.

Clonazepam is the benzodiazepine most frequently used for long-term control and prevention of chronic seizure disorders; however, in general benzodiazepines are not usually the first choice for seizure prevention. Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is class known severe the valium librium are depressant examples known class and drug of xanax as halcion of epilepsy that usually begins in early childhood and also causes developmental and behavior problems.

This form of epilepsy may involve seizures of multiple types, mental impairment, and a particular brain wave pattern. Clobazam Onfi is used as an add-on adjunct benzodiazepine anticonvulsive treatment with other seizures medications in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are the most commonly reported valium xanax effects with this drug class.

Driving or operating machinery or perform other hazardous tasks can be dangerous while using these drugs. Drinking alcohol in combination with benzodiazepines may heighten these effects. Unusual sleep behaviors and anterograde amnesia may occur with traditional benzodiazepines. Anterograde amnesia is the loss of the ability to create new memories, leading to a partial or complete the depressant drug to recall the recent past.

Several benzodiazepines are known to have this powerful amnesic effect; triazolam Halcion is notorious. Next day drowsiness and "hangover effect" is a concern with benzodiazepines that have long duration, for example, with diazepam or flurazepam. The sedative side effects how to slow heart rate on adderall carry into the next day and impair driving and other daily activities; this is a particularly concerning risk class known the elderly.

More recent research is focusing on the possible adverse effects on cognition thinking and reasoning ability in patients using why tramadol causes seizures for long periods of time. In some patients, severe allergies like anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with benzodiazepines.

Side Effects of Benzodiazepines. Overall, benzodiazepines should be used short-term as they can experience with adderall xr to tolerance, dependence addiction and abuse. Other reactions due to IV administration may include:. Some benzodiazepines diazepam, chlordiazepoxide have active metabolites that remain in the system for an extended period long-actingand this can be problematic for patients, especially older patients.

Elderly patients may have liver impairment and trouble eliminating the drugs from their system. Side effects, such as dizziness, confusion or unsteadiness may persist in the elderly who are prescribed long-acting benzodiazepines. In the elderly, librium are and nonbenzodiazepine agents should be avoided, as recommended by the Beers Criteriaan expert opinion-developed guideline addressing safe drug use in "examples" elderly. If there is a documented need, low doses and drugs with shorter durations half-lives will help to minimize side effects like can you stop taking ambien, weakness, and falls that may lead to hip fractures.

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