Benzodiazepines : Before Using

Benzodiazepines - Systemic

Benzodiazepines *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For benzodiazepines, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy 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 care

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

Studies in pets 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 drug. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth. Always 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 problem

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

Use for Children

Most of the side side effects of medication are more likely to occur in child, especially the very young. These diseaseds 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 child. If such effects do occur, they may not be noticed until many years later. Before this drug is given to children for long periods of time, you must discuss its use with your child's family doctor.

Elderly care

Most of the side side effects of medication 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 diseaseds than in adults people. In addition, falls and related injuries are more likely to occur in elderly diseaseds taking benzodiazepines.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family 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:

Central nervous system - CNS depressants - medication that cause drowsiness The CNS depressant effects of either these medication or benzodiazepines may be increased; your family doctor may want to change the dose of either or both medication

Fluvoxamine - Luvox
Itraconazole - Sporanox
Ketoconazole - Nizoral
Nefazodone - Serzone Higher blood levels of benzodiazepines may occur, increasing the risk that side effects will occur; your family doctor may want to change the dose of either or both medication, or give you a various drug

Other Information for using

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

Alcohol abuse - or history of
Drug abuse or dependence - or history of Dependence on benzodiazepines may be more likely to develop

Brain disease CNS depression and other side effects of benzodiazepines may be more likely to occur

Difficulty in swallowing - in child
Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease
Glaucoma
Hyperactivity
Mental depression
Mental illness - severe
Myasthenia gravis
Porphyria
Sleep apnea - temporary stopping of breathing during sleep Benzodiazepines may make these conditions worse

Epilepsy or history of seizures Although some benzodiazepines are using in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treat with these medication may increase seizures

Kidney or liver disease Higher blood levels of benzodiazepines may result, increasing the risk that side effects will occur