Benzodiazepines

Question 1

Drugs/indications

Alprazolam (Kalma)

Oxazepam (Serepax, Murelax)

Temazepam (Temaze, Normison, Temtabs)

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Diazepam (Valium, Antenex)

Nitrazepam (Mogadon, Alodorm)

Flunitrazepam (Hypnodorm)

Clonazepam (Paxam, Rivotril)

Answer 1

short: AOT
Medium: L
long: DNFC

Alprazolam (Kalma): anxiety, panic disorder

Oxazepam (Serepax, Murelax): anxiety, insomnia

Temazepam (Temaze, Normison, Temtabs): insomnia

Lorazepam (Ativan): anxiety, insomnia

Diazepam (Valium, Antenex): anxiety, muscle spasm, drug withdrawal

Nitrazepam (Mogadon, Alodorm): insomnia

Flunitrazepam (Hypnodorm): insomnia

Clonazepam (Paxam, Rivotril): epilepsy

Question 2

Dose Range?

Alprazolam (Kalma)

Oxazepam (Serepax, Murelax)

Temazepam (Temaze, Normison, Temtabs)

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Diazepam (Valium, Antenex)

Nitrazepam (Mogadon, Alodorm)

Flunitrazepam (Hypnodorm)

Clonazepam (Paxam, Rivotril)

Answer 2

Alprazolam: 0.5 - 4mg daily

oxazepam: 15 - 30mg 3-4 times daily
temazepam: 10 - 20mg nocte

Diazepam: 2 - 30mg daily in divided doses

nitrazepam: 2.5 - 10mg nocte (M=20mg/d)
flunitrazepam: 0.5 - 2mg nocte
clonazepam: 2 - 8mg daily in divided doses

Question 3

Counselling/SE

Answer 3

• Drowsiness/might carry over to the next day –> avoid driving
• avoid alcohol
• if use for >2-4 weeks, tolerance can occur. body may require higher dose for med to work.
• don’t stop suddenly –> withdrawal SE (insomnia, nightmares, anxiety, sweating, dysphoria, irritability, hallucinations, tremors, seizures, tachycardia)

SE:

• drowsiness, over-sedation
• slurred speech
• ataxia
• confusion
• respiratory depression
• tolerance, dependence

Question 4

Monitoring

Answer 4

• respiratory depression
• tolerance/dependance
• withdrawal SE