Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are prescribed and used commonly in Australia as sleeping tablets or muscle relaxants (i.e. anti-anxiety or sedative type medication).

Benzodiazepines are usually prescribed, so there is very little of the drug available that has not been produced in hygienic situations. Benzodiazepines are most often prescribed in tablet or capsule form. They are usually taken orally or injected.

If taken according to directions benzodiazepines should have the following effects:

• Relaxation, calmness and relief from tension and anxiety
• Sometimes side effects such as drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness and lethargy can occur
• Blurred or double vision, impairment of thought processes including depression and memory, vertigo and stuttering can be more unpleasant effects.
• If higher doses are taken over-sedation can occur leading to drowsiness or sleep.

Long term use of benzodiazepines (2 weeks to a few months or more) usually leads to addiction. It is not recommended to use them for longer than two or three weeks. They can provide short term relief for sleeping and anxiety problems, but it is advised that these problems be dealt with properly with the guidance of a health professional.

Long term benzodiazepine use can cause:

• Difficulty sleeping and disturbing dreams
• Nausea, headaches, skin rash, sexual problems, menstrual problems, weight gain, greater appetite and increased risk of accidents.
• Drowsiness, lack of motivation, difficulty thinking clearly, memory loss, and may even cause such side effects as personality change, changes in emotional response and anxiety problems

Depending on dose taken and amount of time that benzodiazepines have been taken for it will usually take approximately 1-4 days for the drugs to be cleared from the system.

Oxazepam Chemical Structure