Benzodiazepines Uses Indications And Side Effects
Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs known as central nervous system depressants, used to treat a variety of mood disorders and other health conditions including seizures, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. While they’re effective in treating these conditions for a short time, benzodiazepines may cause frustrating side effects like drowsiness, loss of libido, and lack of coordination. Long-term use can lead to adverse behavioral symptoms and drug dependence.
Effects On Bodily Functions And Brain
- Risk factors: Age 65 years or older
Dry mouth, increased thirst, flushing, dry skin, difficulty urinating, and constipation can happen while taking dicyclomine. Some of these symptoms can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke when you’re exposed to hot weather. Stay hydrated while taking this medication. Dicyclomine can also impair your ability to think, focus, and react. If you notice any changes in mood or behaviors such as increased agitation, confusion, or hallucinations, let your provider know right away.
What Do People Use Them For
Xanax is a useful medication for people who experience panic attacks. The drug helps relieve the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Some doctors prescribe Xanax for depression, but there is limited evidence to suggest that it is effective unless the person also has anxiety.
Clonazepam is also a benzodiazepine. Doctors use it to treat seizure disorders in both adults and children. It can help address chemical imbalances in the brain and reduce the number of panic attacks.
Taking clonazepam increases a persons levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid , which is a chemical that sends signals around the CNS.
A lack of GABA activity can cause people to become excitable and may lead to panic attacks or seizures. Having more GABA activity in the body helps reduce instances of panic attacks and seizures.
Clinical Studies For Depression
Some studies have found that Xanax to be just as effective as several other antidepressants, including amitriptyline, clomipramine, and imipramine, for the treatment of moderate depression, but not for severe depression.
However, these studies only addressed short-term effects and were considered poor quality in a review published in 2012. It was also not clear if the effects of Xanax was due to an actual antidepressant effect or rather a general positive effect on anxiety and sleep issues.
With the arrival of newer antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , the number of clinical trials evaluating Xanax in depression has significantly decreased. There have been no clinical trials directly comparing Xanax to SSRIs or other newer antidepressants for treating depression.
Rated For Panic Disorder / Agoraphobia Report
Xanax saved My Life About 11 yrs ago I had my 1st panic/anxiety attack on my job. I thought I was going to die, I also thought I was losing my mind. I have been on Xanax for 11 yrs now, & yes they are very addictive, but I do not care. Xanax gave me back my life. Without them I would never venture out of my home. Thank God for Xanax!
What Are Possible Risk Factors For Ibs
Currently, we dont know what actually causes IBS, and theres a good chance it depends on the person. Anxiety and other mental health conditions, like depression, may increase your risk for IBS, but other possible risk factors for IBS include:
- Being younger than 50 years of age
- Having had a severe gut infection in the past
- Experiencing chronic psychological stress, whether caused by traumatic life events or frequent alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Experiencing changes in your gut bacteria after taking certain medications
How Do They Differ
At first glance, Xanax and clonazepam are very similar. Both medications are benzodiazepines, CNS depressants, and ways of treating anxiety or panic attacks.
Both are short acting drugs, but clonazepam stays in the body for longer than Xanax. The half-life of Xanax is 625 hours , while for clonazepam, it is 2254 hours.
Clonazepam can also treat seizures, whereas Xanax does not. Both drugs have their different off-label uses, which the sections below will look at in more detail.
Dosages usually differ depending on the individual and the condition that a doctor is trying to treat.
Rated For Insomnia Report
Xanax – Great My doc prescribed Xanax “as needed” for anxiety while taking Lexapro daily. I’ve heard that Xanax can be addictive, so I’ve only taken it when I’ve felt very anxious. It does work – and it didn’t make me terribly drowsy. I’ve only taken it in the evening and on weekends when needed. It’s been over a week since I took it last, and I’ll continue to take it only when/if I’m feeling overly anxious. But frankly, my real problem was/is alcoholism, and since I’ve stopped drinking, my anxiety and depression have severly decreased, thereby eliminating the need to take anything at all. Though I really, REALLY miss my scotch and wine, my inner balance is back on track, and I’m much happier – and so is my family.
How To Take Cbd For Ibs
CBD has various formats that allow patients to use it for IBS in several ways. These include:
- CBD oils and tinctures CBD may be applied under the tongue for more efficacy. More experienced users prefer this type of administration because they have control over their CBD dosage.
- CBD capsules, gel caps, gummies, or edibles CBD may be mixed with food or beverages. This approach is helpful for those who dislike the grassy taste of CBD.
- CBD vape pens Effects are instantaneous when CBD is inhaled. However, vaping may cause lung damage. IBS patients who also take CBD via vape pens have no way of determining the amount of CBD they take for each draw.
- CBD topicals These CBD formats include salves, balms, lotions, and creams. IBS patients may apply CBD topically during massages to help alleviate abdominal pain. However, it is challenging to apply consistent doses of CBD when an individual uses CBD topicals.
Stress Anxiety And Ibs: Coping Techniques
Ever had an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal issues before a test, a first date, or a job interview? Youre not alonefor some, this is such a regular occurrence that they anticipate these events and pack extra Pepto-Bismol or locate the nearest restroom in advance.
Medical experts have long thought that excess stress may worsen underlying gastrointestinal issues. The good news: There are a number of effective strategies for dealing with these troublesome symptoms.
What About Probiotics For Anxiety And Ibs
If the bacteria in your gut can affect your mind and body, does that mean probiotics could be good for IBS? The fact is, researchers have looked into it, but there is no definitive evidence to say if probiotics would be helpful, no matter what kind of IBS you have.
Probiotics are products that contain bacteria and other microorganisms and are marketed as being helpful for digestion, among other health benefits like strengthening your immune system and keeping your heart healthy. Youll see these claims on product labels for probiotic supplements. But some foods like yogurt, tempeh, and kimchi also contain probiotics.
After reviewing 35 clinical studies on probiotics and IBS symptoms, researchers concluded that more data and higher quality studies were needed to support the use of probiotics for IBS, so they cant recommend them yet. Most of the studies were on small groups of people, and while some showed overall symptoms benefits, other studies showed no benefit.
Before you take probiotic supplements, its important to remember that they are not closely regulated by the FDA. This means that their marketing claims could be false and that they may not have been checked for safety. The FDA states that probiotics seem to be safe in healthy people, but we dont have much evidence on how they affect people with health conditions or if they can cause harmful side effects. Some products can also contaminants that may be dangerous. So, always talk to your provider first.
Xanax Interaction With Other Drugs
Xanax has the potential to interact with many other medications:
- Opioid pain medications: Xanax shouldnt be taken in conjunction with opioid pain medications due to the risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
- Other CNS depressants: Using Xanax with other medications that provide sedation, like antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and alcohol could result in additive CNS depressant effects. This can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems , coma and death.
- Cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors: Xanax is removed by the body through a pathway known as cytochrome P450 3A . Drugs that block this pathway make it harder for your body to eliminate Xanax. This means that the effects of Xanax will last longer. Examples of cytochrome P450 3A inhibitors include:
- azole antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole or ketoconazole
- the antidepressants fluvoxamine and nefazodone
- macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin and clarithromycin
- grapefruit juice
Xanax Mechanism Of Action For Ibs
ryand123 said:I have severe IBS-D and have been perscribed 1mg xanax 3 times daily. It has helpes significantly. Upon doing countless hours of research I still dont understand exactly what is helping so much. I know that as an allosteric modulater of GABA it inhibits stress in the body causing relaxation, but is is also a CCK antagonist in the gut. Does anybody know which one is more likely to be helping my condition? Or is it just a combination of both? Very curious as i dont know too much about cck antagonism.
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Brett, Jonathan, and Bridin Murnion. Management of Benzodiazepine Misuse and Dependence. 2015. Accessed Aug 21, 2019.
Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Have You Tried Valium To Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome ?
Irritable bowel syndrome is a relatively common chronic health condition affecting the large intestine . IBS can cause patients to experience severe cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, bloating and constipation. An estimated 10-15% of the world population has some form of IBS, and roughly 2 out of 3 IBS sufferers are female. An IBS diagnosis can also lead to secondary health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Unlike some forms of inflammatory bowel disease , IBS does not raise the risk of colorectal cancer or affect the bowel tissue, and some people can successfully manage their IBS symptoms with basic lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. For more severe cases, however, medication may be needed, and in some instances, doctors recommend an anti-anxiety medication like Valium to treat IBS symptoms and any accompanying anxiety symptoms.
What Factors Lead to an IBS Diagnosis?
There is no single test for diagnosing IBS. Your physician will likely run several tests to rule out other ailments before offering an IBS diagnosis. Tests often include x-rays, blood tests and stool sampling. Some doctors may also recommend a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, particularly in patients over 40.
What Causes IBS?
The root cause of IBS is unknown. However, experts speculate that there are certain triggers which may lead to the development of symptoms. These include infections, diet and inflammations.
How is IBS Treated?
References
How Can I Manage My Stress To Feel Better
Unpredictable symptoms can leave you stressed and anxious, which can lead to more problems. But when you learn ways to worry less, that can break the circle.
Talk therapy. Two types tends to help treat IBS. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you change negative thoughts and actions. It may focus on stress management or your reaction to anxiety about your symptoms.
Psychodynamic therapy looks at how your emotions affect your symptoms. Often youâre taught ways to help you relax.
Hypnosis. This puts you in a different state of awareness and uses the power of suggestion to help you feel better. The hypnotist may use calm imagery to help relax the muscles in your gut.
Visualization. Itâs like taking a mental vacation to distract you from your worries and pain. Imagine yourself in a place you find calm and relaxing. Maybe itâs in a boat on a mountain lake. Feel the warm sun on your face. Dip your toes in the water. Listen to the birds chirp. Smell the mountain air.
Go back to that place every time you feel stressed or when symptoms bother you.
Mindfulness meditation. This can calm your mind, ease stress, and help manage pain. It’s taught in a class or group session. Youâll learn breathing, visualization, and relaxation techniques to lessen your stress. The main goal here is to help you focus on the present instead of worrying about the past or future.
The General Medical Services Scheme And Hse
The Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Services scheme provides free health care to approximately 29% of the Irish population including provision of medicines without charge. Eligibility for this service is means-tested for those under 70years of age. Since July 2001, all patients aged more than 70years are entitled to free medical care under this scheme. Therefore, groups such as children, the elderly and the socially disadvantaged are over-represented. Prescribing under this scheme accounted for 70% of total prescribing of medicines in the Republic of Ireland and in 2006 this amounted to a total cost of 940million, of which 142million was spent on gastrointestinal drugs, 2.2million on drugs for functional gastrointestinal disorders and 102million on CNS-acting drugs.
Does Cbd Work For Ibs
- CBD has been found to help in the treatment of symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome . A study in 2016 suggested that CBD might have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on mice test subjects.
- Another study conducted on rodents reported that the use of a Cannabis sativa extract containing high amounts of CBD helped reduce hypermotility and intestinal inflammation.
- The authors concluded that CBD was more effective when used in combination with other Cannabis sativa components. They observed that pure CBD alone did not exhibit therapeutic properties on the inflamed gut.
- An animal study conducted in 2011 has found that CBD had antiemetic properties. Nausea is a common symptom observed in people with IBS.
- Despite the promising research supporting CBDs purported therapeutic effects on symptoms associated with nausea, further research is still needed on CBDs benefits on IBS itself.
Rated For Generalized Anxiety Disorder Report
Xanax Xanax is a benzo.–very addictive, and all too handy. Upon going off it the last 2 times, I had tremors for about a week. Definitely VERY UNPLEASANT. I don’t recommend this drug, though I’m sure there are legitimate uses such as before surgery, or before undergoing an MRI if one has claustrophobia. Definitely NOT THE DRUG for anyone who even has a tendency towards addiction!
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Ibs
Although experts dont know what causes anxiety to trigger stomach pain, discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation, effectively managing emotional reactions seems to ease symptoms.CBT helps users identify thoughts and behaviors that affect the gastrointestinal system, and understand how, in turn, the gastrointestinal system affects mood. In addition, CBT equips users with coping techniques to manage these unhelpful thoughts and behaviors with the goal of reducing IBS symptoms.
Relaxation exercises and calming self-talk are two CBT coping techniques that may help. These exercises enable users to actively lessen the stress response, thereby reducing the gut changes that occur in response to thoughts and feelings. For example, when you breathe deeply or use calming self-talk to quell anxiety, you send a message to your body that there is no crisis. This reduces the effects of the bodys natural stress response on your digestive system, helping to ease symptoms. Breathing deeply also can lessen anxiety and may help reduce pain.
Pharmacist Tips For Dicyclomine
Talk to your healthcare provider about other options if dicyclomine doesn’t help your symptoms within 2 weeks.
Dicyclomine can cause your body to make less saliva and sweat. This can cause your body to overheat more easily in hot temperatures and make you more thirsty. Make sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated while taking this medication, especially when it’s hot outside.
This medication may impair your ability to think, focus, and react. Avoid doing dangerous activities or anything that requires full alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
Don’t take dicyclomine at the same time as antacids. Antacids can decrease the absorption and effectiveness of dicyclomine.
Don’t use this while breastfeeding. Not only can it come out in your breast milk and harm the baby, it can lower your milk production.
Prices for dicyclomine start at just $13.20 with a GoodRx coupon. Theyre fast, easy-to-use and free!
Testing For Antibodies In Ibs
Dr. Pimentel has developed an innovative test, based on his research, that detects anti-Cdt and anti-vinculin antibodies. The test, IBS-Smart, is 90 percent predictive of IBS-D and IBS-M. Importantly, Dr. Pimentel notes that one does not need to have experienced a severe, acute bout of diarrhea to have IBS caused by food poisoning; in fact, he notes that most food poisonings are marginally eventful.
IBS-Smart is intended to be used in conjunction with breath testing, commonly used to explore the pathophysiology of SIBO. An IBS-Smart test that is positive for antibodies tells you the underlying cause of your IBS: food poisoning. It predicts the likelihood that prokinetics will need to be a part of your treatment protocol and possibly taken indefinitely; the higher the antibodies, the more likely prokinetics will be necessary. It also provides a prognosis of success of therapy; the higher your anti-vinculin antibodies, the more likely you are to relapse and the higher your risk of contracting food poisoning again down the road.
The breath test, on the other hand, tells your doctor how to approach your treatment. The antibiotic rifaximin is indicated in the case of a high-hydrogen breath test, while elevated methane suggests a need for rifaximin plus either neomycin or metronidazole.
Is Ibs An Autoimmune Disease
Irritable bowel syndrome has long been considered a disease of exclusion, a label haphazardly given to patients suffering from abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation but no visible signs of intestinal damage or disease. Fortunately, new research is poised to shift this frustrating paradigm.
The pioneering work of gastroenterologist and researcher Mark Pimentel, MD, indicates that IBSat least in the case of some patientsmay be an autoimmune disease triggered by food poisoning that damages the nerves of the small intestine. Read on to learn about our evolving understanding of IBS and how newly validated biomarkers and medications are paving the way for better diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
If IBS is an autoimmune disease, what does that mean for treatment? Learn more about this new understanding of a long misunderstood disease. #nutrition #chriskresser
Natural Solutions For Dogs With Anxiety
As much as this drug helps to relieve anxiety and panic attacks, it should not be first line of treatment. Alternative modes of treatment can be used.
This also applies to cases where the dog is either allergic to benzodiazeines, suffers from kidney or liver disease, glaucoma, or muscle weakness. Xanax should also be used on a short term basis as prolonged use can lead to dependence and depression.
Natural remedies for anxiety include:
Studies Show Klonopin And Xanax May Impair Immune System
The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs typically prescribed for the treatment of anxiety or chronic seizure. They work by slowing the electrical activity in the brain, resulting in a sedative effect. Doctors may prescribe these drugs for brief or prolonged periods, or simply as neededsuch as in the event of a panic attack. The potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines are fairly well understood by the medical community. People may experience drowsiness, headache, dizziness, and an unsteady feeling. High doses have an intoxicating effect similar to alcohol consumption.
However, the effect of chronic low doses of medications like Xanax and Klonopin on human tissue and organs is still to be determined. Previous studies have suggested that long-term administration of benzodiazepines may weaken the immune system, although no conclusive evidence of such a link exists.
These results argue for more caution when prescribing anti-anxiety medications. Both Xanax and Klonopin appear to degrade the immune system in distinct ways. Overall, Klonopins effects were less severe than those of Xanax, but were still worrisome. Patients with already compromised immune systems may want to avoid this class of medications if possible. Otherwise, Klonopin may be the safest choice. In addition, short-term use of the drug is definitely preferable to a long-term prescription.
References:
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Ibs: No Longer A Disease Of Exclusion
Due to a lack of validated diagnostic biomarkers, an IBS diagnosis has historically been given only when other gastrointestinal conditions have been ruled out. This process costs patients thousands of dollars in medical expenses while at the same time failing to provide any useful direction regarding treatment.
The problem of how to effectively diagnose and treat IBS has puzzled clinicians for decades. However, thanks to the research of Dr. Mark Pimentel, we may now have some answers.
Dr. Pimentel, an associate professor of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has made it his lifes work to better understand IBS and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth . He and I previously discussed SIBO on my podcast, Revolution Health Radio. Recently, I had the honor of hosting Dr. Pimentel again on the show. This time, we discussed his groundbreaking research indicating that diarrhea-predominant IBS and IBS that is predominantly characterized neither by diarrhea nor constipation, or mixed IBS , are triggered by food poisoning, resulting in the production of antibodies that damage the enteric nervous system and trigger IBS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dicyclomine
What is dicyclomine used for?
Dicyclomine is used to relieve muscle spasms and cramps in the stomach and intestines in people who have irritable bowel syndrome . Dicyclomine should only be used short term. If your symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks, you should contact your healthcare provider for other alternatives.
Is dicyclomine a muscle relaxer?
Dicyclomine works in the stomach and intestines to help relax muscle spasms and cramps associated with irritable bowel syndrome. It does not work on the entire body as a muscle relaxant.
Does dicyclomine make you sleepy?
Yes, dicyclomine can cause drowsiness and make you sleepy. You should avoid any activity, such as driving or anything that requires you to be mentally alert, until you know how the medication affects you.
When should you take dicyclomine?
You should take dicyclomine four times a day by mouth. Usually, it’s taken before meals and at bedtime or as directed by your provider. You should follow all the instructions exactly as prescribed.
Can dicyclomine cause stomach pain?
Dicyclomine can cause some minor stomach pain, but if you experience any severe stomach pain, worsening of diarrhea, or severe constipation you should stop using dicyclomine and call your healthcare provider.