How long is too long to take benzodiazepines?

You should only be prescribed benzodiazepines for the shortest amount of time possible. Taking benzodiazepines regularly for a few weeks or more can lead to addiction. Doctors recommend that you only take them for 2-4 weeks.

Can benzodiazepines be taken long term?

As mentioned before, benzodiazepines are not meant to be used for long periods of time. By using benzodiazepines for an extended time, there is an increased risk of the development of certain health conditions. The amount of time considered “long-term” in regard to benzodiazepine abuse is around three to six months.

Can Benzos be used long term for anxiety?

Anxiety disorders. have strongly cautioned against the long-term use of benzodiazepines for anxiety disorders, commenting that these drugs only act acutely, lead to relapse after discontinuation, and are associated with dependency.

Does your brain go back to normal after benzodiazepines?

Neuroimaging studies have found transient changes in the brain after benzodiazepine administration but no brain abnormalities in patients treated long term with benzodiazepines.

Which benzodiazepine is best for long term use?

For its high-potency and long-lasting effects, the most potent benzodiazepine is Clonazepam, also known as Klonopin.

How Long Do Benzo Withdrawals Last?

What happens if you take benzos for years?

Benzodiazepines increase the risk of addiction, withdrawal, cognitive decline, motor vehicle crashes, and hip fracture. The risk of overdose is particularly great when combined with sedative drugs such as opioids or alcohol.

Can you take Klonopin for life?

Klonopin should not be relied on for prolonged periods of time, and it is safest when used for short durations of time – less than two weeks. If people have been using or abusing the drug for longer and exhibit some of the symptoms of addiction, they are probably dependent on it.

Are benzodiazepines hard to get off of?

The longer you take benzodiazepines, the more likely it is that you will find it difficult to stop and the greater your risk of withdrawal symptoms. Short-acting benzodiazepines can be especially difficult to come off if you have taken them for a long time.

Do you build a tolerance to benzodiazepines?

In conclusion, tolerance develops relatively quickly for the sedative, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant actions of benzodiazepines.

Can you reverse benzo tolerance?

Interestingly, a single flumazenil dose can reverse the anticonvulsant tolerance after chronic benzodiazepine exposure. The mechanisms of how flumazenil completely reverses the allosteric uncoupling of benzodiazepine and GABA are unclear.

What is the best long-term anti anxiety medication?

SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. Common SNRI brands are Pristiq, Cymbalta, and Effexor XR. Pros: They are effective for a lot of people and they have a solid safety profile.

What are the side effects of prolonged use of benzodiazepines?

Mental and physical health. The long-term use of benzodiazepines may have a similar effect on the brain as alcohol, and is also implicated in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mania, psychosis, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, delirium, and neurocognitive disorders.

Are there natural alternatives for benzodiazepines?

Valerian root: This has been found to naturally increase the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps regulate nerve cells and calm anxiety. The benzodiazepine medications work this same way.

What is considered long term use?

Long-term use was defined as continuous use lasting 180 days or longer.

What is the best benzodiazepine for anxiety?

Good to know: Lorazepam is a good choice for treating anxiety for a few hours but not all day. Good to know: Alprazolam is great for quick relief of anxiety symptoms but is not a good choice for anxiety problems that last all day. It also has a greater risk of causing addiction than other benzos.

Can you take lorazepam forever?

Are There Any Risks For Taking Lorazepam For Long Periods Of Time? Lorazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Benzodiazepines may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.

What is the downside to prescribing benzodiazepine?

But the risks—including dependency, addiction, increased accidents, and overdose—rise steeply with long-term use. An increasing number of organizations and agencies urge caution when prescribing these medications.

Do benzodiazepines become less effective over time?

Benzodiazepines tend to lose their sleep-promoting properties within 3–14 days of continuous use, and, in the treatment of anxiety, the committee found that there was little convincing evidence that benzodiazepines retains efficacy in the treatment of anxiety after 4 months of continuous use due to the development of ...

What alternatives are there to Xanax?

Commonly prescribed Alprazolam alternative antidepressant medications used to help with anxiety include Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine), or Lexapro (escitalopram).

What does benzo withdrawal feel like?

Physiological dependence on benzodiazepines is accompanied by a withdrawal syndrome which is typically characterized by sleep disturbance, irritability, increased tension and anxiety, panic attacks, hand tremor, sweating, difficulty in concentration, dry wretching and nausea, some weight loss, palpitations, headache, ...

How long to taper benzo?

Benzodiazepine Taper:

Reduce dose by 50% the first 2-4 weeks then maintain on that dose for 1-2 months then reduce dose by 25% every two weeks.

How Benzos change your brain?

What are long-term anxiety medications?

Examples of SSRIs that are commonly used to treat chronic anxiety include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Can clonazepam be prescribed long-term?

When used for epilepsy, clonazepam is usually prescribed long term. For other conditions, your doctor will want to regularly review if you still need clonazepam. If you're prescribed clonazepam for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually before stopping it, to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Is Klonopin hard on your heart?

Side Effects of Klonopin on the Heart

GABA can decrease the speed of your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. If these functions are slowed down by too much, you could be at risk for heart damage or heart failure.