Benzodiazepine withdrawal
Benzodiazepine withdrawal
It’s a cluster of symptoms that appear, in adicteted benzodiazepine patients, when they stop taking drug(s), or during dosage reductions. Some patients, who’ve taken benzodiazepines for long periods of time, have a dependence to the drug. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is similar to alcohol withdrawal syndrome and barbiturate withdrawal syndrome and can be severe in some cases. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can cause life threatening withdrawal symptoms such as seizures. Severe symptoms are limited to over-rapid dosage reduction from a higher dosage. Most comon drug syndrome developed in patients with symptoms such as: anxiety, irritability and insomnia. In a small number of people it can be severe and can induce serious psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia or mania. A serious side effect of benzodiazepine withdrawal can be suicide.
Some of the benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms are very similar to the symptoms for which the medication was originally prescribed. It’s very important during the benzodiazepine withdrawal phase to determine the difference between relapse and rebound, being so similar can often lead to a misdiagnosis. The benzodiazepine withdrawal usually last 6–12 months and as well improve over that time period.
The most often benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms occur during dosage reduction. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can also occur due to the “tolerance withdrawal” phenomenonn from on a stable dose of benzodiazepine, patients seek to increase the doses to feel normal and can lead to dosage escalation. Patients may experience what is known as interdose benzodiazepine withdrawal, this happen in patients who are physically dependent on short-acting anxiolytic benzodiazepines. Interdose withdrawal are withdrawal symptoms which occur between benzodiazepine doses when the preceding dose fades.
Some of the most comon benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, experienced by patients are: cramps, diarrhea, bloatedness, diarhea, constipation, cramping, dry throat, indigestion, dental pain, band around head, teeth grinding, difficulty eating or swallowing, increased or decreased saliva, painful or tingling scalp, migraines, headaches, aching muscles, shaking, severe muscle rigidity, aggressive behavior, agitation, hyperactivity, hysterical or inappropiate laughter, irrational rage, irritability, obsessive behavior, agoraphobia, fear of insanity, fear of losing control, fear of water, monophobia, impotence, libido disturbances, neck and shoulder pain, loss of control of movement, muscle spasms, muscular aches and pains, pains in neck and shoulders, perspiring, night sweats, severe sweating, pseudo-Multiple sclerosis, tremor, feeling of inner vibration. It’s absolutely necessary to consult your health care provider if any changes appear on your system due to benzodiazepine withdrawal.
Here are some of the most common tranquilizers and sleeping pills, and their generic names that should not be taken when you are experiencing a benzodiazepine withdrawal:
- Valium (diazepam)
- Ativan (lorazepam)
- Xanax (alprazolam)
- Klonopin or Rivotril (clonazepam)
- Restoril (temazepam)
- Rohypnol (flunitrazepam)
- Dalmane (flurazepam)
- Imovane (zopiclone)
- Ambien (zoldipem)
- Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Every drug has different effects on everyone. Some drugs can cause physical withdrawals(alcohol, opiates and tranquilizers) and some emotional withdrawals(cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy). Every persons benzodiazepine withdrawal pattern differs. You may experience a little physical withdrawal but that does not mean you are addicted. Like I mentioned earlier benzodiazepine can be an addictive drug when used on a long term period. It’s best to try and prevent than to combat a benzodiazepine withdrawal.