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Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, but overuse can lead to dependence and tolerance. Librium, Valium, and Xanax are well-known benzodiazepines. Anexate is used for overdose, and withdrawal symptoms can be physical and psychological.
A benzodiazepine is a drug that belongs to a group of drugs commonly called tranquilizers that are prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. If you exceed the recommended tranquilizer dosage or take a benzodiazepine for longer than prescribed, dependence and tolerance can occur. Tolerance refers to the body getting used to doses of a drug, which means that it requires larger amounts or more frequent use of the drug to get the same effects. Drug addiction is addiction to a substance. Xanax®, Valium® and Librium® are three of the best known benzodiazepines.
Librium®, or chlordiazepoxide, is the first benzodiazepine. It was created in 1954 by Dr. Leo Sternbach, an Austrian scientist. Sternbach was an employee of the pharmaceutical company Hoffmann-Laroche and had named his drug “Ro-5-0690”, but had left it for three years before returning to study it further. When he did, he discovered its he tranquilizing effects. Librium is sometimes prescribed to relieve acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but care should be taken so that it does not become a substitute for alcohol addiction.
Valium®, or diazepam, was approved for use as an anxiolytic in 1963 and can also be used in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Valium® can be used to treat muscle pain. For those with certain nervous or neurological diseases, Valium® can help control tremors or shaking, but paradoxically, it can cause these conditions if the user develops an addiction to it.
Xanax®, or alprazolam, was introduced into medical use in 1981 by Upjohn Laboratories. Upjohn later merged with Pharmacia and then Pfizer pharmaceutical companies. Xanax® is primarily prescribed for panic and anxiety disorders. It has become one of the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepines worldwide.
If a benzodiazepine is used for longer than recommended by a doctor, addiction is likely to result. Benzodiazepines should never be used for longer than four weeks. In some cases, the time limit should be closer to two weeks. If the drug is stopped abruptly, alcohol withdrawal-like side effects, such as severe tremors and confusion, are likely to be experienced from benzodiazepine abuse. Like alcohol, benzodiazepines depress the central nervous system (CNS), so alcohol and benzodiazepines should never be taken together as this makes overdose or death more likely.
A drug called Anexate®, or flumazenil, is usually given when a benzodiazepine overdose is suspected. The withdrawal effects of benzodiazepines are both physical and psychological. Tremors, sweating, insomnia, depression, and suicidal behaviors may occur during benzodiazepine withdrawal.
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