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[6] [21] The long-term effects of benzodiazepines may differ from the adverse effects seen after acute administration of benzodiazepines. [22] An analysis of cancer patients found that those who took tranquillisers or sleeping tablets had a substantially poorer quality of life on all measurements conducted, as well as a worse clinical picture ...
Lorazepam's effects are dose-dependent, meaning the higher the dose, the stronger the effects (and side effects) will be. Using the smallest dose needed to achieve desired effects lessens the risk of adverse effects. Sedative drugs and sleeping pills, including lorazepam, have been associated with an increased risk of death. [60]
The high potency benzodiazepines alprazolam and triazolam and long-acting benzodiazepines are not recommended in the elderly due to increased adverse effects. Nonbenzodiazepines such as zaleplon and zolpidem and low doses of sedating antidepressants are sometimes used as alternatives to benzodiazepines.
[7] [8] Oxazepam is used for the treatment of anxiety, [9] [10] insomnia, and to control symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It is a metabolite of diazepam , prazepam , and temazepam , [ 11 ] and has moderate amnesic , anxiolytic , anticonvulsant , hypnotic , sedative , and skeletal muscle relaxant properties compared to other benzodiazepines.
With most benzodiazepines, noticeable effects usually wear off within a few hours. Nevertheless, as long as the drug is present it will exert subtle effects within the body. These effects may become apparent during continued use or may appear as withdrawal symptoms when dosage is reduced or the drug is stopped. [citation needed]
Improved reaction times were noted at 52 weeks in elderly patients free from benzodiazepines. This is an important function in the elderly, especially if they drive a car due to the increased risk of road traffic accidents in benzodiazepine users. [136] At the 24-week follow-up, 80% of people had successfully withdrawn from benzodiazepines.
Variation in potency of certain effects may exist amongst individual benzodiazepines. Some benzodiazepines produce active metabolites . Active metabolites are produced when a person's body metabolizes the drug into compounds that share a similar pharmacological profile to the parent compound and thus are relevant when calculating how long the ...
The Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults, commonly called the Beers List, [1] are guidelines published by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) for healthcare professionals to help improve the safety of prescribing medications for adults 65 years and older in all except palliative settings.