While benzodiazepines are highly effective in the short term,
adverse effects associated with long-term use
, including impaired cognitive abilities, memory problems, mood swings, and overdoses when combined with other drugs, may make the risk-benefit ratio unfavourable.
Which benzodiazepine is least addictive?
Librium
produces a calming effect, which is why the drug is used to treat many anxiety disorders. Librium is considerably less potent than most other Benzos, making the drug somewhat less addictive than similar drugs.
Which Benzo is best for long term use?
With sustained levels of anxiety, long-acting benzodiazepines such as
diazepam and clorazepate
What is chronic prescription benzodiazepine use?
For purposes of the study, long-term benzodiazepine use was defined as a
medication possession ratio (MPR) greater than 30% in the year following the initial prescription
, and 26.4% of the patients were identified as falling into that category.
What is the longest acting benzodiazepine?
| Long-acting drugs | Generic name Trade names Half-life | alprazolam Xanax 12 to 15 hours | lorazepam Ativan 10 to 20 hours | oxazepam none 6 to 20 hours |
|---|
Can I take Benzos everyday?
Benzodiazepines are likely to be most effective if you take them as a one-off dose. They can also be effective as a short-term treatment for a few weeks. Doctors will usually advise that you should:
avoid taking them every day
.
What is a good substitute for benzodiazepines?
- SSRIs (antidepressants)
- SNRIs (antidepressants)
- Beta-Blockers (blood pressure medications)
- Buspirone (anti-anxiety)
- Hydroxyzine (brand name Vistaril, a prescription antihistamine).
What Benzo is most addictive?
Alprazolam and diazepam
, the two most prescribed benzodiazepine anxiolytics in the United States, have potential for addictive use. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) indicates they are the most mentioned benzodiazepines, and the National Household Survey indicates significant abuse of tranquilizers.
What is the best Benzo for anxiety?
Both
alprazolam (Xanax)
and lorazepam (Ativan) are considered intermediate-acting benzodiazepines, and when used for the right reasons, they’re quite effective for anxiety.
What is the best non Benzo for anxiety?
SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, beta-blockers, pregabalin, gabapentin, hydroxyzine, PanX and diphenhydramine
are all options for anxiety that are alternatives to addictive benzodiazepines.
Will doctors prescribe Xanax long term?
Although Xanax was designed to be a short-term drug (prescriptions up to six weeks),
doctors continue to prescribe Xanax long after its intended use
. As a result, you may experience long term side effects of Xanax if you continue to use it.
How long does benzo belly last?
“Benzo belly” itself usually begins in the protracted withdrawal phase. It may continue for several weeks after the last dose of a benzodiazepine. Symptoms usually get better with time, but
may last a year or more for some people
.
What are the long term effects of chronic benzodiazepine use?
Chronic use of benzodiazepines has demonstrated multiple side effects including
cognitive impairment, decreased motor coordination, concentration, social phobia, and depression
.
Which Benzo is best for sleep?
Benzodiazepines that have been approved by the FDA for treating chronic insomnia include
estazolam, flurazepam (Dalmane)
, temazepam (Restoril), quazepam (Doral), and triazolam (Halcion). Rapidly acting drugs with shorter half-lives (i.e., estazolam, triazolam, and temazepam) are preferred.
Is Bromazepam like Xanax?
Bromazepam is not prescribed in the United States but is
a benzodiazepine similar to
many others that are available such as Valium and Xanax.
Which benzodiazepine is the shortest acting?
Clorazepate (Tranxene),
midazolam (Versed), and triazolam (Halcion)
are short-acting agents with durations of action of 3 to 8 hours. Alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), estazolam (Prosom), and temazepam (Restoril) are intermediate-acting agents with durations of action of 11 to 20 hours.
