Valium: Specifics of Taking Benzodiazepines

Like any other drug Valium may prove harmful if not taken properly — learn
all the necessary details before going on treatment

History and Current Use

When benzodiazepines became accessible in the
1960s, their milder toxicity and fewer adverse effects were obvious on the
background of barbiturates, earning highest praise. Their propensity to
cause addiction, being significantly lower, went unnoticed for almost 20
years. It was only in the 1980s that the abuse potential of benzodiazepines
became public knowledge.

As it went, researchers had put a lot of effort trying to diminish drug
tolerance and solve the problem of dependence. Thanks to this, zolpidem was
able to arrive at the market, its manufacturers claiming that its abuse
potential was insubstantial. It took just a couple of years to learn that
zolpidem did lead to addiction in the long run.

Later on, the neuropharmacology science discovered subtypes within the
family of GABA_A receptors. Current research efforts aim at
specific applications of the knowledge on anatomical and biochemical
differences between the receptors. That will deepen our understanding of
benzodiazepines’ mechanisms of addiction and tolerance-building. Specifics
of their pharmacological relationships with GABA_A subtypes will
be used to produce better drugs with fewer side effects.

Indications

Numerous medical authorities have put forward claims on the harmful effects
of benzodiazepines. And yet, Valium and the like remain legitimately
superior in emergencies and acute episodes of applicable medical issues. In
fact, the biggest trouble with ‘benzos’ boils down to the still great
ignorance regarding the recommendation to limit their use to a maximum of
four weeks. Furthermore, there remains a lack of knowledge in which cases
they should be administered.

Therapeutic Uses of Valium

A short-time therapy with the drug can most effectively relieve the
majority of symptoms of nervousness. Being a classic benzodiazepine, Valium
often works as a component of complex therapies aimed at treatment of the
following:

· moderate to acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms;

· uncontrolled twitches of muscles, occurring due to cerebral palsy,
paralysis of limbs, and lower body paralysis;

· convulsive disorders, including epilepsy;

• problems with muscle relaxation;
• tight aching muscles;
• spontaneous hand movements.

Side Effects

Valium may cause many side effects, including increased tiredness, itching,
rashes, drowsiness, memory difficulties, irritability, muscle weakness or
nausea. In general, these and similar side effects pose no threat to the
patient’s life. Simultaneous use of Valium with other drugs would likely
increase their probability. For instance, taking sleeping pills or
relaxants with Valium will boost drowsiness to a possibly dangerous level.

Other dangers are as follows:

· The resulting sleepiness necessitates caution when driving or working
with complicated mechanisms due to altered thinking and slowed reaction
rate.

· Most importantly, prolonged use of diazepam or sudden discontinuation of
the treatment might increase the risk of ensuing depression.

Individual Compatibility

Both Xanax and Valium users provide a high incidence of reports on the
drugs’ beneficial effect against social anxiety or various kinds of panic
attacks. Initially, their active components boost the synthesis of GABA; in
its turn, this neurotransmitter reduces activity in the parts of your brain
responsible for memory, logical thought, emotions, as well as breathing.
Its effect makes the muscles relax, reduces anxiety, and causes drowsiness.
By relieving restlessness, Valium brings solace to the mind. Due to this,
Valium users become capable of adequate social decision-making without
having to deal with public embarrassment.

The benefits of Valium are mostly limited by individual physiological
aspects. The elimination of anxiety is not pervading nor it is permanent,
and this itself can lower the drug efficacy. Differences in patients’
experience go as far as to the claims that diazepam is largely useless for
conditions associated with social anxiety. For some individuals, the
sleepiness and drowsiness caused by the drug may cloud and distort their
judgments. It may very well be that your ability to interact socially with
anyone in such condition could become arguable.