| Benzodiazepams are one of the most common | | | | diarrhea etc. However if taken in high dosage, it can |
| groups of medicine used for anxiety disorder | | | | cause permanent damage to motor activities, and can |
| treatment. However, they are used for short term | | | | slow down the reflexes. It can also result in damaging |
| relief as opposed to treatments with long term goals. | | | | the general comprehension and the judgment abilities |
| They are used for fast, quick and effective treatment, | | | | of the patient. |
| but are also said to have various side effects. | | | | It is advisable that you gradually reduce your intake of |
| The benzodiazepams are mainly of two types. These | | | | the benzodiazepams so that there is no feeling of void |
| include the anxiolytics, which are used as anxiety | | | | and withdrawal. So, this group of medication is |
| disorder treatment and hypnotics, used for treatment | | | | genuinely effective in providing short term relief, but |
| of sleep related problems. | | | | you must take some cautionary approaches while |
| How Do They Work? | | | | using them. |
| Benzodiazepams act on the gamma-aminobutyric acid | | | | The seven most common types of benzodiazepams |
| or GABA, which are the neurotransmitters of the brain. | | | | used for treatment of anxiety disorders are as follows: |
| These medicines help in accelerating the action of the | | | | 1. Chlordiazepoxide |
| GABA, which can slow down the reactions of the | | | | This is the first discovered benzodiazepam and goes |
| brain and can control anxiety. The benzodiazepams | | | | by the brand name Librium. |
| generally work very fast and can have immediate | | | | 2. Diazepam |
| effect. They can also help prepare the patient for the | | | | This was first approved in 1963 and is used for |
| long term therapy. | | | | treatment of anxiety disorders. The brand name for |
| Words of Warning | | | | diazepam is Valium. |
| But benzodiazepams are also addictive and you must | | | | 3. Lorazepam |
| use them with certain caution and with proper medical | | | | This is also a common benzodiazepam and the brand |
| advice. Many people face severe withdrawal | | | | name for this is Ativan. |
| symptoms as they stop taking these medicines. So, | | | | 4. Oxazepam |
| they must be used only in cases of emergency and | | | | This medicine is available under different brand names |
| the patient needs to rely on therapies or anti | | | | like Alepam, Murelax, Serax etc. |
| depressant medicines for long term benefit. | | | | 5. Chlorazepate |
| Many users of benzodiazepams also complain that the | | | | This is another effective anxiolytics and is available in |
| anxiety can return with new vigor once the effect of | | | | the market as Tranxene and Novo-Clopate. |
| the medicine subsides. So, all these factors should be | | | | 6. Bromazepam |
| taken in to consideration before using this medicine. | | | | Various brands of this medicine are commonly |
| Possible Side Effects | | | | available in the market. The brands include Lexotan, |
| The side effects of benzodiazepams taken in | | | | Bromaze, Lectopam etc. |
| moderate dosage can include confusion, drowsiness, | | | | 7. Alprazolam |
| fatigue, lose of physical agility, slurring of the speech, | | | | The trade name for alprazolam is Xanax. |