What Are The Common Benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are meds that affect the central nervous system. They calm the brain! They're also a short-term med, prescribed for 2 to 4 weeks. Why? To reduce the risk of dependency! Ladies, you might deal with dizziness, weakness, and sedation with this med. Forgetfulness, nausea, and vision issues are rarer, but do occur sometimes! Talk to a doctor before driving or using heavy machinery on this med. You'll be safe, ladies!
This type of med is the best treatment for seizures! They'll be under control before you know it. Guess what? They also are amazing in anxiety treatment. Panic disorder too! Sometimes, they're used to help you relax before surgery. The most common benzos deal with most uses. Talk to your doctor first, and you'll be right as rain!
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Alprazolam is so popular. Ladies, you know about it. It's normally called Xanax! It helps with anxiety disorders and even panic disorder. But before you can be prescribed it? Your doctor has to know about any breathing issues, seizures, or past suicidal thoughts. Tell them if you have liver or kidney disease too. Once again, it's not always suitable if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor if either applies to you! Allergic to other benzos? Your doctor has to know. Be safe and tell them about any meds you are already taking.
You'll take it for up to 10 weeks for panic disorder. If it's helping anxiety disorder, it'll be for up to 16 weeks. If you deal with side effects? Expect things like fatigue, memory issues, and blurry vision. Low blood pressure, twitching muscles, insomnia, and weight changes can also occur. Your doctor will review all side effects with you!
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Ladies, clonazepam will help you prevent and treat seizures! Dealing with panic disorder? It helps with that too! Children with certain conditions also benefit from this medication. But there are precautions! Have liver disease? What about narrow-angle glaucoma? You shouldn't take this medication. Allergic to lorazepam? Don't take this!
Yes, side effects are possible! The good news? The most common ones are mild. They include feeling drowsy, fatigue, and dizziness! If you experience a pounding heartbeat, seizures, or issues breathing? Call your doctor right away! Don't take this medication if you also take sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or cough medicine. Not without talking to your doctor first!
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Experience anxiety or seizures? Ladies, you might need lorazepam! However, if you're pregnant, you'll need something else. The same applies if you're breastfeeding! Your doctor needs more information before prescribing this med. Tell them about if you have liver disease, kidney disease, or depression. Have a mood disorder? They need to know about that too! And ladies? Avoid drinking alcohol if you're on this medication.
Ladies, you can deal with side effects. The most common are weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, and feeling a little unsteady! But don't worry, your doctor will help. Talk to them about other meds you take. Need antihistamines? This is one they need to know about! Taking something else for a mental health condition? Tell them.
Diazepam (Valium)
Valium is another common benzo. It's also called diazepam, and it treats muscle spasms, anxiety, and alcohol withdrawal. It even deals with seizures when its paired with other meds!if you are pregnant and have epilepsy, talk to your doctor before changing anything with this medication. You can't take it if you have liver disease, sleep apnea, or some other conditions too. You're going to be good, though, ladies! Your doctor has you covered! Talk to them if you want grapefruit, as it interacts with this med. Alcohol also impacts it, so avoid drinking. You can experience side effects. Ladies, look out for unsteadiness, drowsiness, and dizziness. Get up slowly to help with feeling dizzy and avoid falling!
Temazepam (Restoril)
Ladies, do you find it hard to fall asleep? What about staying asleep? Temazepam helps treat insomnia, so you're in luck! You'll take it for 1 to 2 weeks just before going to bed. Take this pill with food, you'll find it much easier! Unfortunately, you may deal with short-term memory loss with this med. But stay calm, it's only temporary! Just take this med on nights when you've got 7 to 8 hours available for sleep. It'll help you manage this!
You will likely feel a little dizzy if you take temazepam. Just get up slowly, and you'll feel much better! Your doctor will adjust your dose if you get drowsy during the day. So easy. However, there are more precautions. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ladies, you won't be able to take this medication. A history of sleepwalking, liver disease, and kidney disease are also among issues that may mean you can't take this either. And as always, you'll need to avoid alcohol! Talk to your doctor about the other meds you take too, ladies. Be safe!