Guide To The Most Common Benzodiazepines

Temazepam (Restoril)

Temazepam (Restoril) is intended for insomnia treatment. It may help patients fall asleep faster, and it might make it easier for patients to stay asleep for longer periods. This medicine is typically prescribed for one to two weeks, and it is taken by mouth. Doctors advise most patients to take temazepam just before bedtime. They should also take each dose with some food. In rare cases, this medication can cause the patient to lose their short-term memory temporarily. Thus, doctors suggest that individuals avoid taking it on nights when they do not have at least seven to eight hours available to sleep.

Dizziness is the most common side effect of temazepam. As such, patients should get up slowly after lying down. Some individuals who take this medication experience drowsiness during the day. If this occurs, doctors may adjust the patient's dose to minimize this side effect. This medication might not be safe for patients with a history of sleepwalking, myasthenia gravis, breathing difficulties, kidney disease, or liver disease. It is not suitable or safe for women who are pregnant, and it passes into breastmilk. Individuals who are breastfeeding should talk to their physician about whether it is safe for their needs. This medication interacts with sodium oxybate, and patients should not use it with alcohol or cannabis.

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Alprazolam (Xanax)

Alprazolam (Xanax) treats panic and anxiety disorders, including anxiety caused by depression. Before prescribing this medication, doctors will need to know if the patient has ever experienced seizures, suicidal thoughts, addiction, or breathing problems. Patients should also let the prescribing doctor know about any history of liver or kidney disease. It is especially important to mention a history of alcoholic liver disease. No one under eighteen years old should use alprazolam. It should never be taken while pregnant or breastfeeding. It can cause congenital disabilities and dependency in infants. Individuals who have had an allergic reaction to other benzodiazepines should not take this medication. Additionally, it is not safe to use alongside itraconazole or ketoconazole.

This medication is typically prescribed for up to ten weeks to treat panic disorder. Doctors may prescribe it for up to sixteen weeks for anxiety disorders. Some of the most reported side effects include weight changes, blurred vision, fatigue, memory issues, drowsiness, and coordination difficulties. Diarrhea, insomnia, muscle twitching, and low blood pressure have also occurred.

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