If you have had a time of anxiety, worry, or stress, your doctor may have prescribed benzodiazepine medications for these conditions. These include Oxazepam, Valium, Xanax, and the like.

What are benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are one of the most commonly used groups of drugs in developed countries. They are very useful in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia and as anesthetics for minor medical procedures (dental and endoscopic). Also used as muscle relaxants and for alcohol syndrome.

There is a wide group of drugs, but they are all divided into short-acting and long-acting benzodiazepines. Depending on the effect, their effect can last more or less than 12 hours.

Why should you be careful with them?

Despite the fact that this is a group of fairly safe drugs, long-term use can cause many undesirable effects, including poor memory and deterioration of cognitive functions, emotional imbalance, and depression. Ultimately, these drugs can cause tolerance and dependence.

The effectiveness of benzodiazepines decreases significantly after several weeks or months of use. The effect they produce in the body becomes less and less noticeable, and the dose must be increased to achieve results. A kind of “dependence” arises on them.

It is important to avoid their inappropriate use in the first place, and certain measures can be taken to prevent addiction:

• use drugs by determining the minimum effective dose and for the shortest possible period;
• if there is no improvement in the second week of treatment, rethink treatment;
• regularly monitor the effectiveness of taking benzodiazepines and monitor the emergence of tolerance;
• if a long period of use is expected, it is better to be treated with drugs with a long duration of action;
• Benzodiazepines should not be taken by patients with a history of drug abuse or use of benzodiazepine-like drugs.

What and how are they used?

Typically, benzodiazepines are used to improve symptoms associated with mood disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, or muscle spasms. This is usually symptomatic rather than curative treatment. It is important to emphasize that it is always best to take the minimum effective amount for the shortest possible time. Thus, most side effects, which tend to increase with high doses and long durations, are avoided. In the vast majority of cases, the duration of treatment should not exceed 12 weeks.

When is it time to stop treatment?

Use should be tapered off gradually to avoid possible withdrawal symptoms resulting in sleep disturbances, irritability, agitation or anxiety, especially if treatment has been continued for more than 6 months. It is recommended to reduce the total daily dose by 10-25% every two weeks.

Sometimes the end of treatment with benzodiazepines is accompanied by insomnia, increased vulnerability to stress, irritability and anxiety. In this case, you will need to see a doctor who will assess the advisability of continuing long-term treatment and determine the optimal time for rehabilitation.