Brand Name: Ativan®, Bromazepam, Centrax®,
Chlordiazepoxide, Clonazepam, Clorazepate, Dalmane®, Diastat®, Diazepam,
Dizac™, Doral®, Estazolam, Flunitrazepam, Flurazepam, Halazepam, Klonopin®,
Libritabs®, Librium®, Loprazolam, Lorazepam, Lormetazepam, Midazolam, Nitrazepam,
Paxipam®, Prazepam, ProSom®, Quazepam, Restoril®, Temazepam, Valium®,
Versed®
Benzodiazepines Information
are a family of drugs used to treat insomnia,
anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, and seizure disorders. One benzodiazepine,
midazolam, is used as a general anesthetic.
Interactions involving benzodiazepines in general are described on this page. For
interactions involving a specific benzodiazepine, refer to the highlighted drugs listed
below.
- Alprazolam (Xanax®)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®, Libritabs®)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin®)
- Clorazepate Dipotassium
(Tranxene®)
- Diazepam (Valium®)
- Estazolam (ProSom®)
- Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol®)
- Flurazepam (Dalmane®)
- Lorazepam (Ativan®)
- Midazolam (Versed®)
- Oxazepam (Serax®)
- Quazepam (Doral®)
- Temazepam (Restoril®)
- Triazolam (Halcion®)
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)
 May be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Vinpocetine
|
Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this
medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results. |
Alcohol
St. John's wort (alprazolam)
|
| Depletion or interference |
None known
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Interactions common to many, if not all,
are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or several
drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are
linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug
articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for
which no separate article exists. If you are taking a Benzodiazepine for which no separate
article exists, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Benzodiazepines Interactions with Dietary Supplements —
Vinpocetine
In a preliminary trial, an extract of periwinkle called vinpocetine was shown to produce minor
improvements in short-term memory among people taking flunitrazepam, a
benzodiazepine.1 Further study is needed to determine if vinpocetine would be a
helpful adjunct to use of benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines Interactions with Herbs —
Kava (Piper
methysticum)
Kava is an herb used to treat anxiety disorder. One individual who took a benzodiazepine (alprazolam) and kava together, along with two
other medications (cimetidine and terazosin) was hospitalized in a lethargic and
disoriented condition.2 Further research is needed to determine whether the
combination of kava and benzodiazepines produces an adverse interaction. However, individuals
should not take benzodiazepines and kava together unless supervised by a doctor.
St. John's wort
(Hypericum perforatum)
In a study of healthy volunteers, administration of St. John's wort along with alprazolam
decreased blood levels of alprazolam, compared with the levels when alprazolam was taken by
itself.3 Individuals taking alprazolam should not take St. John's wort without
supervision by a doctor.
Benzodiazepines Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking benzodiazepines may increase side effects, such as
drowsiness, confusion, and dizziness;4 if taken in excess, this combination may
result in death. Consequently, people taking benzodiazepines should avoid drinking
alcohol.
|
|
Review Date: 2/9/2007
Medication: Clonazepam -  - I Love It
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: .25 X 1 times per day
Side Effects: Dry Mouth
Other Products Taken: none
I take .25 mg prior to bed approx. 1/2 hour before sleep. It gently relaxes - usually it will give you a good night sleep without interruption. If you have to get up in the middle of the night, you can easily go back to sleep. If the dosage is not right for your body, you may experience a dry mouth and a bit sleepiness in the morning. You should allow at least 7 hours for sleeping. Also I have noticed that when the tablet is broken in half, it seems to lose potency. Otherwise it is a great way to get a good nights sleep and feel refreshed in the morning.
Anonymous
Shelby Twp, MI
USA
|
|
Review Date: 11/6/2007
Medication: Benzodiazepines -  - Stay Far Away
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: 2 mg X 2 times per day
Side Effects: Addiction, Tollerance (Need to raise dose)
Other Products Taken: No
Benzodiazepines are highly additive psychiatric drugs with withdrawal symptoms equal to opiates; like heroin for example. Do some investigations online before you begin using this medication. Googling "permanent brain damage; benzo" produces some interesting results.
Anonymous
Europe
|
|
Review Date: 3/17/2008
Medication: Atavan - - Stay Far Away
Medication Type: Brand Name
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: 1/2 MG X 1 times per day
Side Effects: Anxiety, Headache, Nausea, Stomach Pain, Constipation, Paranoia, Addiction, Gave Me Gas or Made Me Bloated, Loss of Sleep, Made Me Nauseous
Other Products Taken:
I have been trying to get off Lorazapam(Atavan)since Jan. after being on it for 2 1/2 yrs. I realize I went the wrong way, through a doctor, by trying other medications, including Diazapam, Trazodone, Dramamine, & now I'm back on 1/2 MG Lorazapam at night, along with 6.25 MG of Ambien, through a doctor. I don't tolerate any medication well & I'm being affected by it with my thinking & general well being. I was also put on Paroxetine, but took it one night with horrible side effects. Now I'm at the point, I don't know what to do, & don't think my doctor knows either. I just want to get off the drugs.
Lois Popanz
Hendersonville, NC USA
|
|
SHOP For Benzodiazepines By Category
Like eVitamins? Become A Fan Today!
Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.healthnotes.com
Please read the
disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on
the information in this article.
Learn more about Healthnotes, the
company.
Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines
with Vitamins and Herbs
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. The "reviews" listed for any medical condition, prescription drug, condition or symtpom is provided specifically from eVitamins and is not associated with healthnotes.
References:
Click
here to view references
|
|
Cart: 0 items 
Checkout
