Category:Benzodiazepines

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Doctors and Psychiatrists prescribe benzodiazepines for several reasons. Among these are anxiety, stress, seizures, muscle spasms, insomnia, alcohol or drug withdrawal, bringing about amnesia for uncomfortable procedures such as CAT scans or MRI's, or before an anesthetic for surgery. Benzodiazepines are psychoactive prescription drugs that have an effect on the central nervous system, cause sedation and muscle relaxation, and reduce anxiety and stress levels.^[1] Specifically, they enhance the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, an essential brain chemical that has as a calming effect.^[2] GABA can slow down or block certain nerve signals in the brain.^[3]

Benzodiazepines have a history of having been used illicitly to ease the "crash" that follows the use of stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamine, and is increasingly being sought out by people seeking a "high." Benzodiazepines are considered "controlled substances" by the FDA.^[4]

Contents 1 Benzodiazapenes and Contemporary Culture 2 Benzodiazapenes: Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal 3 Benzodiazapenes: Chemical Structure 4 References

Benzodiazapenes and Contemporary Culture

The first benzodiazapene, Librium, was discovered entirely by accident in 1955. The pharmaceutical company Hoffmann–La Roche first marketed Librium in 1960, followed shortly thereafter by diazepam - Valium - in 1963.^[5] Valium soon rocketed in popularity, perfectly acceptable to both middle class housewives and over-stressed businessmen. Estimates are that as many as a million people or more who were prescribed benzodiazepines in the 1960s and 1970s remain dependent on them today. Many of these people suffer from debilitating mental and physical and side-effects such as loss of memory, fear of going out, depression, and in some cases the symptoms that they were prescribed the drugs to begin with: sleeplessness and anxiety.^[6] In 1966, benzodiazapenes officially entered the stratosphere of popular culture, when the Rolling Songs released their hit song "Mother's Little Helper". Mick Jagger admitted that the song was about drug dependence, with its famous lyric about "a little yellow pill" - Valium.^[7] The underlying point was that respectable British housewives could be addicts, just like rockers and hippies.

Benzodiazapenes: Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal

Benzodiazepines are highly addictive drugs. Both physical and psychological dependence can emerge within just a few weeks or months of regular use. According to one recent study, roughly two per cent of adults in the US have used prescribed benzodiazepines for five years or more. The statistics are similar in England, most of Europe and in some Asian countries. Many studies show that fifty to one hundred per cent of long-term benzodiazapene users have difficulties stopping because of withdrawal symptoms.

The other trap with benzodiazapenes is their tendency to produce tolerance - a gradual decline in effectiveness. The desire to compensate for tolerance with increased or more frequent doses is a path to addiction. The best solution to this dilemna is the gradual, systematic tapering off of the dosage by a doctor. Common symptoms of benzodiazapene withdrawal include difficulty concentrating, nervousness, difficulty falling or staying asleep, seizures, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, depression, headaches, irritability, blurred vision, changes in the sense of smell, aggressive behavior, increased sensitivity to light or sound, sweating, cramps or muscle twitches. Patients withdrawing from benzodiazapenes might also have gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, and a decrease in appetite and weight loss.^[8]

Benzodiazapenes: Chemical Structure

The essential chemical structire of all of the benzodiazapene drugs consists of a benzene ring combined with a diazapene ring.^[5]

References

1. ↑ http://www.emedicinehealth.com/benzodiazepine_abuse/article_em.htm
2. ↑ http://insomnia.emedtv.com/halcion/halcion.html
3. ↑ http://anxiety.emedtv.com/xanax/how-does-xanax-work.html
4. ↑ http://www.emedicinehealth.com/benzodiazepine_abuse/article_em.htm
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} http://www.springerlink.com/content/p067463653t88154/
6. ↑ http://www.benzo.org.uk/facefax.htm
7. ↑ http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=460
8. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000807/