Benzodiazepines

 

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medication

At Banbury Cross Health Centre, we are no longer prescribing benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines include but are not limited to:- Diazepam, Lorazepam, Temazepam, Alprazolam and Clonazepam.

If a secondary care provider has recommended this medication or has asked you to obtain this medication prior to a procedure, the consultant must be the one to arrange the prescription.

 

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have been in use since the 1960s for treatment of a wide range of conditions including alcohol withdrawal, agitation and restlessness, anxiety, epilepsy and seizures, neurological disorders. muscle spasms, psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance.

Initial use of benzodiazepines, including the well-known Diazepam also known as ‘Valium’, was enthusiastic and they were hailed as a wonder drug. However, it became increasingly clear that, as well as having short term deleterious effects on memory, co-ordination, concentration and reaction times, they were also addictive if used for a long time, with withdrawal leading to fits, hallucinations, agitation and confusion, and further had long-term effects on cognition and balance.

Unfortunately benzodiazepines have also become a widely used drug of abuse since they first came on the market. Because of these reasons the use of benzodiazepines has been a lot more controlled around the world since the 1980-90s, especially in the UK. Diazepam in the UK is a Class C/Schedule IV controlled drug. We no longer prescribe Benzodiazepines.

Here is some more information if you feel benzodiazepines will help you with you fear of flying.