25 Jan 2023
Alprazolam, Etizolam, Clonazepam, and Diazepam are all Benzodiazepines.
These are in a family of drugs known as central nervous system depressants,
along with alcohol and barbiturates. The drugs of this category work similarly
in your brain and body. As they are similar, is there a difference between
benzodiazepine options? How do you know which benzodiazepine is appropriate for
your needs? There are some essential differences between each prescription
drug. Working with your doctor to determine the best one for you is vital.
Benzodiazepines (also called Benzos) are drugs that may treat many conditions. Doctors often prescribe Benzodiazepines to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines change the activity of the neurons that trigger stress and produce anxiety reactions. A benzodiazepine enhances the effect of a neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, that suppresses the activity of nerves. Doctors prescribe benzodiazepines for:
Benzodiazepines are of different types, each with a different length of action. For example, short-acting benzodiazepines bind to the brain rapidly, have a short half-life, and are quickly metabolised out of the body.
There
are several aspects in which benzodiazepines are different from each other:
Diazepam (Valium) begins working quickly. It has an onset of
action as short as 20 to 30 minutes. The quick onset of action may be ideal for
people who require fast relief. For instance, Clorazepate sometimes treats
partial seizures. Since seizures can come on suddenly, immediate relief is
essential. Panic disorders also need quick relief.
Alprazolam has an intermediate onset of action, along with
Oxazepam, Lorazepam and Clonazepam. Alprazolam
may take 1-2 hours before you feel its full effect. Benzodiazepines that
take a long time to work may still be helpful if you have time to prepare. They
may effectively treat insomnia by taking it before winding down for the night.
The
duration of action means the length of time a drug works. Benzodiazepines fall
into different categories, like short-acting, intermediate-acting, and
long-acting benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines
with a short duration of action are helpful for people who face trouble falling
asleep but usually stay asleep through the night. In addition, short-acting
benzodiazepines may be available in extended-release forms. Extended-release
tablets are formulated to
release a hefty dosage of the drug over time, extending the length of time they
are effective.
Benzos that last for long periods are helpful for short-term therapeutic use. For example, suppose you have an anxiety disorder. You may take long-acting benzos consistently for several days or weeks to relieve symptoms. Then you may taper off the medication.
Some
benzodiazepines act on the brain and body for longer than others. The half-life
of each medicine is a helpful way to know how long a drug's effects last. Short-acting
benzodiazepines have a shorter half-life. It means that the drugs are processed
and leave the body more quickly. Short-acting drugs also have an increased risk
of withdrawal symptoms. This is because the body has less time to adapt to
working without the medication once you stop using it.
Long-acting
benzodiazepines have a longer half-life. It means that the drugs are processed
by the body more slowly and take longer to leave the body. As a result, you are
more likely to experience a hangover effect when taking these drugs. But you
are less likely to experience withdrawal problems.
Generally,
short-acting benzodiazepines are often used as sleeping pills and long-acting
benzodiazepines for anxiety. But this is not always the case. For example, some
anxiety-related drugs also help you sleep if you take them at night. And lower
doses of sleeping pills can help you stay calm if you take them during the day.
Benzodiazepines
may have different levels of potency. This refers to the strength of each
drug's chemical reaction in the body. Take a lower dosage of a high-potency
benzodiazepine. It may cause similar effects to a higher dosage of a
low-potency benzodiazepine.
Your
body breaks down benzodiazepines in many ways. The process is known as your
body metabolising the drug. Some benzodiazepine drugs, such as diazepam,
produce other benzodiazepine chemicals when metabolising them. These additional
chemicals stay in the body, prolonging the drug's overall effect.
Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant drugs.
They're generally prescribed for anxiety or occasionally sleeping problems. They
have a similar mode of action, but still, they differ in some respects.
