Article by MIke Argiro

Like most other drugs, Lorazepam has its set of side effects and while some of these can be quite common and can be observed in most users, some are rare and need to be brought to the notice of a medical practitioner so that immediate action can be taken.Common Side Effects of LorazepamBefore we start talking about the specific side effects of Lorazepam it might be of interest to know how exactly side effects of a drug are tested. The process though might be complicated depending on the drug being tested; the fundamental system is pretty straight forward. The clinical trials to test the side effects involve two groups of people. While one group is exposed to the effects of the drug the other group is not administered any such drug. Over a period of time, the former group will show effects on their body, both physical and psychological, that will not be evident on the latter group. Any of these effects that were not initially desired when designing the drug will be termed as a side effect. This is how researchers and pharmaceutical companies gather the knowledge of the side effects. Of course both the groups are made up of volunteers who have willingly joined to allow the test being carried out on their body.In such clinical trials, the most frequently observed side effects of Lorazepam have been found to be sedation where the person under the drug feels a calming effect, often hampering his working abilities (this side effect has been observed in about 16 percent of all the people clinically tested), a certain dizziness (again found in high proportion of users of almost 7 percent), unsteadiness and weakness has been complained by around 4 percent of users.There is a whole list of other side effects in using Lorazepam. These would include drowsiness and a general feeling of lethargy, fatigue and getting easily tired from minor exertion, a short term memory loss (especially of events that have happened recently), a lack of ability to decide and focus and a general sense of confusion, a feeling of disorientation, hallucinations including visual and auditory ones, severe headaches, slurred speech resulting from an impairment of motor activities, nausea, constipation, vertigo (not just fear of heights but the sense of the head spinning continuously), a loss of libido or other changes in sex drive, erectile dysfunction or impotence, minor levels of low blood pressure and hair loss in some cases.Serious Side Effects of LorazepamWhile the common side effects of Lorazepam can be ignored for a few days and most of them are not that serious, the rarer side effects of Lorazepam must be informed to the doctor who has prescribed the drug so that the issue is settled before it gets out of hand. Most of these side effects are sorted out by changing the dosage of the drug. Some of these side effects are extreme depression, suicidal tendencies, seizures, breathing difficulty, allergies, aggression or violent behavior and insomnia.

                 Dr. GHAZAL SABREEN

               Doctor of Pharmacy,  Sharjah UAE

What is drug abuse and drug addiction?

Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, involves the repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve a certain effect.

These substances may be “street” or “illicit” drugs, illegal due to their high potential for addiction and abuse. They also may be drugs obtained with a prescription, used for pleasure rather than for medical reasons.

A pharmaceutical preparation or a naturally occurring substance used primarily to bring

about a change in the existing process or state (physiological, psychological or

biochemical) can be called a ‘drug’

When drugs are used to treat an illness, prevent a disease and improve health condition, it

is termed drug use.

Intake of drugs for reasons other than medical in a manner that affects physical or mental

functioning is termed drug abuse. Any abuse can lead to addiction.

Participating jurisdictions reported a number of prescription and overthecounter (OTC) drugs involved in drug abuse deaths; most were benzodiazepines or narcotic analgesics.

■ A benzodiazepine, identified as diazepam, alprazolam,

■ Diazepam

■ Alprazolam

■ Methadone

■ Codeine

■ Hydrocodone ranked

■ Propoxyphene

■ Fentanyl

Alprazolam is a drug belongs to benzodiazepines , it is normally used to overcome the anxiety and panic attacks. Now a days it is being misuse by many person thus my topic is related to abuse of alprazolam based on past observation.

Alprazolam possess sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant properties.

Alprazolam Abuse – who is at Risk?
On the black market, this highly potent 2mg dosage is often referred to as ‘coffins’, ‘bars’, or ‘french fries’. Alprazolam can kill you if you frequently take such high doses without the care of advice of a medical doctor. The drug already works to sedate the brain somewhat so as to move it from hyperactivity to a state of medicated calm.

Alprazolam abuse is common among recreational users of the drug. Although they aren’t manufactured for this purpose, abusers tend to illicitly use these and other anxiety meds for the state of relaxation, and dis-inhibition that these drugs induce. Those who engage in Alprazolam abuse often combine it with other drugs, thereby increasing the dangers involved.

Patient at more risk of Alprazolam Abuse:

 Alprazolam abuse generally occurs in the cases of patients who have chronic pain, severe emotional instability or personality disorders, or a history of drug or alcohol dependence.

Alprazolam Abuse Effects
An overdose can cause the body to become too calm, slowing breathing and heart rates to lethally slow rates. Such retardation can lead these natural functions to cease completely, causing Alprazolam to kill you.

One of the greatest effects of Alprazolam abuse is the onset of addiction and subsequent withdrawal symptoms that occur when one tries to quit Alprazolam

Treating Alprazolam Abuse

Individuals involved with Alprazolam abuse should be admitted to a detox center where they can receive professional treatment from qualified physicians. Alprazolam abuse is best treated by an addictionoligist, a medical doctor trained to treat drug addictions. The patient typically goes through 10 to 14 days of detox. The entire residential treatment for Alprazolam abuse is about three weeks long. After this period, the patient can choose to continue treatment with private therapy, on an outpatient basis, or by attending day treatment.

According to my point of view alprazolam should be band to dispensed without prescription this will greatly prevent the abuse of this drug. And secondly if it is prescribed to patient for any treatment purpose than dispensed on the basis of prescription by highly qualified pharmacist. And as there are many cases of alprazolam abuse so it should undergo with proper treatment.

 From Internet and seniors.

More Alprazolam Articles

CNS depressants are those that slow up the usual function ate of the human brain. When taken in high dosages, certain CNS depressants may work as general anaesthetic too. Sedatives and tranquilizers may also be examples of CNS depressants. These might be separated up into two categories, based on their pharmacology and chemistry.

Barbiturates just like Nembutal (pentobarbitalsodium) and Mebaral (mephobarbital) are recommended in the therapy for sleep disorder, tension, and anxiety. Benzodiazepines, like Valium (diazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide HCl), and Xanax (alprazolam), can all be approved for treatment of panic attacks, acute stress reactions, and anxiety. These have a stronger sedation effect. Thus, those similar to ProSom (estazolam) are generally recommended in treatment of temporary sleep disorder.

There are several sorts of CNS depressants. The majority of them could work in your brain and have an effect on your GABA neurotransmitters. They are chemicals of the brain which help in facilitation of communication among cells of the brain. GABA functions through decrease in brain activity. Inspite of various groups of these depressants functioning in different ways, it’s their ultimate capability for rise of GABA activity that could determine how deep the calming or drowsiness outcome it. Although this might be good for those who are afflicted by sleep or anxiety disorders, benzodiazepines and barbiturates are addictive. They should not be used except if a physician recommended them. Even then, it’s safer to stay away from them if you can.

You must not combine CNS depressants with ingredients or medicines that could trigger sleepiness and sedation, such as recommended pain medications, certain cold meds obtained over-the-counter, allergy meds, and alcohol. If you blend it, it could slow down your breathing or perhaps your heart rate. This can be lethal.

If extended use of CNS depressant high doses is stopped, there may be withdrawal indications. Given that they get through delaying of brain activity, the side effects of stopping usage are quite serious. Among the possible outcomes of CNS depressant abuse is the fact that when the individual gives up taking it, his or her brain activity rebounds and causes a seizure to happen. Someone thinking of termination of CNS depressant consumption or who is presently suffering the withdrawal symptoms should immediately meet with a physician or medical practitioner for proper treatment method.

Together with medical direction, in-patient and out-patient setting counselling can also help individuals to overcome their dependence on CNSdepresseants.com One example lies in how psychotherapy has effectively been utilized in the treatment of benzodiazepines abuse. Generally, these therapy methods will target adjustment on the patient’s thinking abilities and habits while, concurrently, improving their abilities to cope with various stressors in life.

Generally, CNS depressant abuse occurs together with substance abuse of some other substance such as cocaine or alcohol. In such cases where poly-drug abuse happens, numerous addictions should be deals with in the treatment procedure. In spite of the several beneficial effects, both the kind of CNS depressants may be potentially abused and, thus, must simply be utilized if recommended. Sleeping pills that are non-benzodiazepine weren’t reviewed as extensively yet. Even so, certain concerns do exist over their risk to become misused as well.

More Estazolam Articles