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Benzodiazepines  (Systemic)

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Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Alprazolam Intensol1
  • Ativan12
  • Dalmane9
  • Diastat7
  • Diazepam Intensol7
  • Dizac7
  • Doral16
  • Halcion18
  • Klonopin5
  • Librium3
  • Lorazepam Intensol12
  • Paxipam10
  • ProSom8
  • Restoril17
  • Serax14
  • Tranxene-SD6
  • Tranxene-SD Half Strength6
  • Tranxene T-Tab6
  • Valium7
  • Xanax1

In Canada—

  • Alti-Alprazolam1
  • Alti-Bromazepam2
  • Alti-Clonazepam5
  • Alti-Triazolam18
  • Apo-Alpraz1
  • Apo-Chlordiazepoxide3
  • Apo-Clonazepam5
  • Apo-Clorazepate6
  • Apo-Diazepam7
  • Apo-Flurazepam9
  • Apo-Lorazepam12
  • Apo-Oxazepam14
  • Apo-Temazepam17
  • Apo-Triazo18
  • Ativan12
  • Clonapam5
  • Dalmane9
  • Diazemuls7
  • Frisium4
  • Gen-Alprazolam1
  • Gen-Bromazepam2
  • Gen-Clonazepam5
  • Gen-Triazolam18
  • Halcion18
  • Lectopam2
  • Mogadon13
  • Novo-Alprazol1
  • Novo-Clopate6
  • Novo-Dipam7
  • Novo-Flupam9
  • Novo-Lorazem12
  • Novo-Poxide3
  • Novo-Temazepam17
  • Novo-Triolam18
  • Novoxapam14
  • Nu-Alpraz1
  • Nu-Loraz12
  • PMS-Clonazepam5
  • PMS-Diazepam7
  • Restoril17
  • Rivotril5
  • Serax14
  • Somnol9
  • Tranxene6
  • Valium7
  • Vivol7
  • Xanax1
  • Xanax TS1

Note:

For quick reference, the following benzodiazepines are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Alprazolam (al-PRAZ-oh-lam)
2.  Bromazepam (broe-MA-ze-pam)*
3.  Chlordiazepoxide (klor-dye-az-e-POX-ide)
4.  Clobazam (KLOE-ba-zam)*
5.  Clonazepam (kloe-NA-ze-pam)
6.  Clorazepate (klor-AZ-e-pate)
7.  Diazepam (dye-AZ-e-pam)
8.  Estazolam (ess-TA-zoe-lam)
9.  Flurazepam (flure-AZ-e-pam)
10.  Halazepam (hal-AZ-e-pam)
11.  Ketazolam (kee-TAY-zoe-lam)*
12.  Lorazepam (lor-AZ-e-pam)
13.  Nitrazepam (nye-TRA-ze-pam)*
14.  Oxazepam (ox-AZ-e-pam)
15.  Prazepam (PRAZ-e-pam)*
16.  Quazepam (KWA-ze-pam)
17.  Temazepam (tem-AZ-e-pam)
18.  Triazolam (trye-AY-zoe-lam)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

Benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens) belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system).

Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.

Some benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.

Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For benzodiazepines, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to benzodiazepines. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain benzodiazepine products may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.

Pregnancy—Chlordiazepoxide and diazepam have been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines are related.

Studies in animals have shown that clonazepam, lorazepam, and temazepam cause birth defects or other problems, including death of the animal fetus.

Too much use of a benzodiazepine during pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Also, use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy, especially during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems, difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.

Benzodiazepines given just before or during labor may cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses (especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature problems in the newborn infant.

Breast-feeding—Benzodiazepines may pass into the breast milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing babies of mothers taking these medicines.

Children—Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of benzodiazepines.

It is possible that using clonazepam for long periods of time may cause unwanted effects on physical and mental growth in children. If such effects do occur, they may not be noticed until many years later. Before this medicine is given to children for long periods of time, you should discuss its use with your child's doctor.

Older adults—Most of the side effects of these medicines are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines.

Taking benzodiazepines for trouble in sleeping may cause more daytime drowsiness in elderly patients than in younger adults. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking or receiving benzodiazepines it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of benzodiazepines. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

For caregivers administering diazepam rectal gel:

For patients taking clorazepate extended-release tablets :

For patients taking alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam concentrated oral solution:

For patients taking lorazepam sublingual tablets:

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence).

If you think this medicine is not working properly after you have taken it for a few weeks, do not increase the dose. Instead, check with your doctor.

For patients taking this medicine on a regular schedule for epilepsy or other seizure disorder:

For patients taking this medicine for insomnia:

For patients taking flurazepam:

Dosing—

The dose of benzodiazepines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of benzodiazepines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets, or the amount of solution that you take, or the number of injections you receive, depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking benzodiazepines.

Missed dose—

If you are taking this medicine regularly (for example, every day as for epilepsy) and you miss a dose, take it right away if you remember within an hour or so of the missed dose. However, if you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If you will be taking a benzodiazepine regularly for a long time:

If you are taking a benzodiazepine for epilepsy or another seizure disorder:

If you are taking a benzodiazepine for insomnia (trouble in sleeping):

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses. Some signs of dependence on benzodiazepines are:

If you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on this medicine, check with your doctor. Do not stop taking it suddenly.

If you have been taking this medicine in large doses or for a long time, do not stop taking it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects, including seizures. Stopping this medicine suddenly is most likely to cause seizures if you have been taking it for epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system, possibly causing drowsiness). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop taking this medicine. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of a benzodiazepine or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with the benzodiazepine may lead to unconsciousness and possibly death. Some signs of an overdose are continuing slurred speech or confusion, severe drowsiness, severe weakness, and staggering.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of the metyrapone test may be affected by chlordiazepoxide.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, agitation, and hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there).

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

For patients having chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, or lorazepam injected:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for each of these medicines, but they have been reported for at least one of them. All of the benzodiazepines are similar, so any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. During this time, check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, some of the benzodiazepines are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

Revised: 04/05/2001

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