What is the difference between valium and temazepam

Benzodiazepine drug abusers often prefer short-acting, high-potency benzos, such as lorazepam or alprazolam, due to their fairly rapid and intense high. Though not prescribed in the United States, flunitrazepam Rohypnol is sold illicitly on the streets.

Used as a date rape drug, Rohypnol is a high-potency benzodiazepine with a relatively long half-life. Benzodiazepine medications are sedative-hypnotics, meaning they create calming or tranquilizing effects. Because of this, these drugs are prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia, panic and seizure disorders, and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Certain ones may also be used as muscle relaxants.

The same actions which make these medications valuable within treatment also make them enticing to drug abusers. Benzodiazepines take several forms, including as an extended-release long-acting capsule, liquid, tablet, or orally-disintegrating tablet. Any of these forms may be abused to create a sedated effect or euphoria. When abused, benzodiazepines are taken orally in doses larger and more frequent than would be prescribed. The medication may also be crushed so that it can be snorted, smoked, or injected.

No matter how benzodiazepines are abused, the potential for dependence and addiction runs high. Aside from addiction, benzodiazepine abuse carries with it a host of adverse health effects and dangers. These include:. Like all forms of drug abuse, individuals who abuse benzodiazepines frequently experience an extreme loss of quality of life.

Benzodiazepine abuse has been linked to increased risks of suicide and suicidal ideation thoughts of suicide. Prolonged benzodiazepine abuse can cause some very problems the drugs are designed to treat.

When a physically-dependent person quits benzodiazepines, withdrawal can set in. In certain cases, withdrawal may last for several months. This is called post-acute withdrawal syndrome PAWS. Individuals facing PAWS experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Acute withdrawal from benzodiazepine drugs can become very dangerous, to the extent that professional treatment is necessary medical detox.

Certain individuals may experience withdrawal so severe that their life is in jeopardy. In these instances, withdrawal may cause seizures or delirium tremens. Benzodiazepine overdose is another huge risk associated with the abuse of these drugs. According to the CDC, from to , two of the top 10 drugs responsible for overdose deaths were benzodiazepines.

Therefore, lorazepam is considered an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine, and diazepam is considered a long-acting benzodiazepine. Lorazepam and diazepam are also metabolized, or processed, in the body differently. Lorazepam is metabolized in the liver by a process known as glucuronidation. Diazepam Diazepam coupons What is Diazepam? As a result, diazepam has more of a potential to interact with other drugs than lorazepam. Lorazepam is available in generic oral tablets with strengths of 0.

It also comes as an oral solution and a solution for injection. Ativan is available in generic oral tablets with strengths of 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg. Ativan can also be administered as an oral solution, solution for injection, and rectal gel. Lorazepam and diazepam act as anxiolytics to reduce anxiety symptoms, such as overwhelming stress and difficulty thinking clearly. Lorazepam and diazepam are both FDA approved to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders, such as panic disorders and panic attacks.

Like other benzodiazepines, lorazepam and diazepam can be used to treat seizure disorders, or epilepsy. They can also be used as a premedication before surgery for the purpose of sedation. Diazepam is also FDA approved to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome and muscle spasms. In addition to treating anxiety, lorazepam is also approved for treating insomnia caused by anxiety.

Other off-label uses can be found in the table below. Compared to placebo, or no medication, both lorazepam and diazepam are effective for treating anxiety. The more effective benzodiazepine will depend on the condition being treated, other medications being taken, and any treatments that have been previously tried. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have largely shown that lorazepam and diazepam are comparable in effectiveness for treating anxiety.

One double-blind clinical trial comparing lorazepam and diazepam in anxious patients over four weeks found that both drugs were more effective than placebo. However, lorazepam was found to be more effective in patients who had worse symptoms initially. Sedation was reported to be a more significant side effect in the group taking lorazepam.

In a network meta-analysis , midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam were compared for treating status epilepticus, a severe prolonged seizure, in children. Data compiled from 16 different clinical trials found that midazolam and lorazepam were more effective than diazepam.

This comparison is for general informational purposes. Seek medical advice from a doctor or healthcare provider before using a benzodiazepine. Your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough medical evaluation to determine the severity of your condition and to rule out other possible mental health conditions. Generic lorazepam is generally covered by most Medicare and insurance plans. Try the SingleCare prescription discount card.

Like other generic drugs, diazepam is often covered by Medicare and insurance plans. Compared to lorazepam, diazepam may be slightly cheaper depending on your pharmacy.

Lorazepam and diazepam, like other benzodiazepines, primarily cause side effects in the central nervous system CNS. The most common side effects of lorazepam , or Ativan, are sedation, dizziness, weakness, and unsteadiness, or loss of coordination. The most common side effects of diazepam, or Valium, are drowsiness, fatigue, muscle weakness, and loss of coordination.

Other possible side effects may include memory problems. The occurrence of side effects is usually dependent on the dosage of the medication taken. More serious side effects are reported with high doses of benzodiazepines. Serious side effects, including respiratory depression, or shallow breathing, could indicate a medical emergency.

This may not be a complete list of adverse effects that can occur. Please refer to your doctor or healthcare provider to learn more. Lorazepam and diazepam primarily interact with other drugs that affect the central nervous system CNS.

Taking these benzodiazepines with drugs like opioids, barbiturates, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants can lead to increased CNS-depressant effects, such as dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness.

The antigout medication probenecid can affect the metabolism of benzodiazepines and lead to increased side effects. The use of theophylline or aminophylline can counteract the sedative effects of benzodiazepines.

Tell your doctor if you take either of these drugs before starting a benzodiazepine. Diazepam is processed by certain P enzymes whereas lorazepam is not. Some drugs can block these enzymes, which affects how well diazepam is processed in the body.

This may result in increased sedative side effects of diazepam. Drugs like ketoconazole, cimetidine, and omeprazole can interact with diazepam and lead to increased sedation. Antacids like calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide can decrease the absorption of diazepam in the body.

This effect may alter how well diazepam works. The use of opioids with benzodiazepines should be avoided. When used together, benzodiazepines and opioids can increase the risk of respiratory depression, coma, and even death. Patients should be monitored closely when these two classes of drugs are taken together.

Lorazepam and diazepam are Schedule IV drugs. Those with a past history of alcohol or substance abuse may be at a higher risk of dependence and abuse with benzodiazepines.

Dependence and abuse may increase the risk of an overdose with benzodiazepines. Signs and symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose include severe loss of coordination, dangerously low blood pressure hypotension , respiratory depression, and coma. Only the lowest effective dose of lorazepam or diazepam should be used.