Clinicians have come to realize that Benzodiazepine drugs poses significant problems. Which are they?

Essentials of Pharmacology for Health Professions
7th Edition
ISBN:9781305441620
Author:WOODROW
Publisher:WOODROW
Chapter22: Anticonvulsants, Antiparkinsonian Drugs, And Agents For Alzheimer’s Disease
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Clinicians have come to realize that Benzodiazepine drugs poses significant problems. Which are they?

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Step 1

The fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring forms the molecular structure of benzodiazepines, a class of psychotropic medicines. They are recommended to treat problems like anxiety, sleeplessness, and seizures as depressants, or medications that suppress brain activity. Benzodiazepines are sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants because they increase the influence of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABAA receptor. Anterograde amnesia and dissociation can occur with high doses of certain shorter-acting benzodiazepines.

Step 2

While benzodiazepines are quite helpful in the short term, the risks of long-term usage, such as reduced cognitive abilities, memory issues, mood swings, and overdoses when mixed with other medicines, may outweigh the benefits. Furthermore, benzodiazepines have reinforcing characteristics in some people, making them addictive medicines, particularly in people who engage in "drug-seeking" behavior; further, physical dependency can develop after a few weeks or months of use. Many of the negative consequences of long-term benzodiazepine use improve three to six months following discontinuation.

Dose escalation, benzodiazepine use disorder, tolerance, and benzodiazepine dependence, as well as benzodiazepine withdrawal issues, are some of the other side effects linked with long-term benzodiazepine usage. The negative effects of benzodiazepines might be worsened by physiological tolerance and reliance. The usage of benzodiazepines for a long time has been linked to an increased risk of death.

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