Author: Charles Frank
Librium Uses, Side Effects & Warnings
While not an ideal choice for optimal health, we can’t ignore this fact. Some people should not receive Librium at all, such as pregnant women and people who have a high chance of developing liver failure. Benzodiazepines are capable of crossing the placenta, so the developing fetus is highly vulnerable to the toxicity of most kinds of medication.
For those addicted to Librium and alcohol, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Acknowledging your problem is the first, and perhaps biggest, step towards healing. Calling us today will begin the process of getting you the right help for your unique situation.
Officials at the Hancock County Jail in Maine administer Librium to inmates who are going through withdrawal. The decision to provide the drug, and the administration thereof, is done in consultation with the onsite nurse practitioner. Do not stop taking it without checking with your doctor first.. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent a worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as convulsions (seizures), stomach or muscle cramps, tremors, or unusual behavior.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA). Because of how closely fatal overdose and mixed depressants are linked, getting treatment is a matter of life and death.
Medical uses
The calmness induced by the GABA neurotransmitter boost can become a source of psychological addiction, especially in the case of patients who are experiencing anxiety as a result of their alcohol withdrawal. Librium and alcohol are two depressant drugs that are dangerous when used simultaneously. However, Librium is commonly used to treat alcohol withdrawal and is safe under the guise of medical professionals, but what are some of the dangers of mixing Librium and alcohol? Well, that’s dependent on several factors only a medical professional can measure when they know the entire situation.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol).
If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while you are taking chlordiazepoxide, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Chlordiazepoxide is used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, including nervousness or anxiety that happens before a surgery. It may also be used to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Mixing medications with alcohol also significantly increases the risk of an overdose.
Adverse effects
You should not become pregnant while using chlordiazepoxide. Newborn babies of mothers who use this medication late in pregnancy may have symptoms such as slow/shallow breathing, nonstop crying, shaking, or trouble feeding. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication. Unlike opioids, there are not many safe benzodiazepine reversal drugs.
- At Recovery Unplugged, our goal is to make sure you detox from these drugs in a safe and supportive environment.
- Chlordiazepoxide, trade name Librium among others, is a sedative and hypnotic medication of the benzodiazepine class; it is used to treat anxiety, insomnia and symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs.
- Librium addiction treatment can involve a multitude of ways that people can begin on the road to recovery.
- Without Librium, that therapy and preparation might never happen.
- Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, blurred vision, or headache may occur.
Librium has been proven to improve the quality of life for a number of people. It can help those struggling with anxiety, sleep disorders, and other related mental illnesses. Alcohol is a depressant, and chronic exposure to it drastically slows down brain functioning and the way the nervous system communicates with the rest of the body. With time, the nervous system adapts to the state of being chemically subdued by the alcohol, and the sudden deprivation of alcohol throws dozens of systems connected to the central nervous system into disarray.
Contact The Recovery Village Ridgefield today if you or a loved one are struggling with a Librium or alcohol addiction. A representative will be happy to discuss treatment options and a comprehensive plan of care for one or both of these addictions as well as any co-occurring mental health conditions. Librium addiction treatment can involve a multitude of ways that people can begin on the road to recovery. A person withdrawing from alcohol and being prescribed Librium should receive adequate medical supervision. If a person in withdrawal that is prescribed Librium decides to drink again, they may experience a severe physical and potentially fatal reaction.
Alcohol Withdrawal
However, severe drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, or unsteadiness are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of chlordiazepoxide. Elderly patients may require a lower dose to help reduce unwanted effects. During the withdrawal and recovery process, many alcoholics are prescribed anti-anxiety medications to lessen the symptoms of fear and panic. When taken properly, the drug is typically safe and causes few side effects.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which are medicines that slow down the nervous system.
Other Interactions
This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval. Suddenly stopping this medication may cause serious (possibly fatal) withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, trouble sleeping, restlessness, hallucinations/confusion, depression, nausea, or seizures.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. This medication may interfere with certain lab tests, possibly causing false test results.