Essay on Effectiveness of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are drugs that work on the central nervous system. The drugs are used to treat various medical conditions such as anxiety, panic disorders, alcohol withdraw problems and prevention of seizures (Hindmarch, & Trimble, 2000). The drugs are associated with various side effects which affect patients. There has also been concern whether there are other alternatives drugs to benzodiazepines. In addition, there has been concern about the safety of the drugs in the United States.

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Benzodiazepines are associated with various side effects. At first, the drugs are addictive to patients. The drugs are additive because they leads to psychological and physical dependence, for example, when people stops using them they will have withdrawal symptoms. Also, patients who take the drugs suffers from depression and confusion, whereby they can hardly coordinate activities (Nordqvist, 2016). Other side effects associated with the drug include a headache and impaired vision.

Various studies indicate that the drugs are oversubscribed in the United States. According to Jerrold Rosenbaum, a leading psychiatry at Massachusetts University, the drugs is over prescribed by doctors in the United States, for instance, they give out a wrong dose. Rosenbaum argues that if the drugs are prescribed correctly, the drugs are effective for treating anxiety and sleeping problems (Ogbru, 2017).

There are other types of benzodiazepines which have less side effects. For example, aripiprazole and clozapine have less side effects as compared to benzodiazepines which includes extrapyramidal symptoms which includes dyskinesia. As a result pregnant woman and people who are under the influence of alcohol are not encouraged to take the drug Also some benzodiazepines are better than others, for example, lorazepam is low latency than inhibition effects than diazepam. Anxiety condition can be managed through the use of pharmacologically medicines which have fewer side effects. Some of the benzodiazepines include antidepressants, antipsychotics and beta-blockers (Conseil de l'Europe., & Groupe Pompidou, 2001).

Several measures can be used to ensure the safety of benzodiazepines in the United States. At first, the drugs should only be prescribed by the physicians to avoid under or over prescription. In addition, the drugs should not be sold to patients over the counter without doctors letter (Ogbru, 2017).

To sum it up, benzodiazepines have been used to treat psychiatric conditions although they have several effects on the patients. The drugs are associated with side effects such as confusion and depression. Studies indicate that the drugs are overprescribed in the United States.

Reference

Conseil de l'Europe., & Groupe Pompidou. (2001). Contribution to the sensible use of benzodiazepines: Meeting. Strasbourg: Council of Europe.

Hindmarch, I., & Trimble, M. R. (2000). Benzodiazepines. Petersfield [u.a.: Wrightson Biomedical Publ.

Nordqvist, J. (2016). Benzodiazepines: Uses, Side Effects, and Risks. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved 7 February 2017, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262809.phOgbru, A. (2017). Benzodiazepines Drug Class: Side Effects, Types & Uses. RxList. Retrieved 7 February 2017, from http://www.rxlist.com/benzodiazepines/drugs-condition.htm