Benzodiazepines are widely consumed drugs in our societies, since they provide symptomatic relief from problems such as stress and insomnia. Taking a little pill seems like we have a quick solution to our problems.
Among these anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs we find Orfidal, a short-acting benzodiazepine that, in many cases, becomes addictive and its effects seem to weaken.
There are many people who have a problem with both this drug and with benzos in general, which is why here we are going to talk about how to stop taking Orfidal Of course, never failing to consult a psychiatrist.
Before understanding how to stop taking Orfidal and why it is so important to do so, it is necessary to know a little more about this drug. The Orfidal is a medication that is part of the benzodiazepines, since its main active ingredient is lorazepam
Benzodiazepines are a family of psychotropic drugs that are usually prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and mood disorders, in addition to being used as anesthetics in minor interventions, such as at the dentist or endoscopies. They can also be used as muscle relaxants and can be used for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Orfidal, like most benzodiazepines, is usually a symptomatic and non-curative treatment.
Benzodiazepines can be divided into two types: short-acting and long-acting This classification is based on whether they last more or less than 12 hours, with Orfidal being a short-acting drug, which is why it is used in the short-term treatment of states of anxiety and tension, whether or not associated with functional disorders. or organic, including anxiety associated with depression.
It is also used as a pre-anesthesia in minor surgical procedures, such as in dentistry and endoscopy, in addition to treating sleep disorders.
Orfidal, along with the rest of the benzodiazepines, is a safe drug. However, as with any other drug, you must be careful and Its consumption should be limited to what the doctor or psychiatrist has prescribed Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can lead to problems, something that can be easily seen since these drugs are widely consumed in developed societies.
Among the unwanted effects of benzodiazepines we have poor memory (amnesia), cognitive impairment, emotional dullness, depression, increased anxiety and physical problems However, in addition to these effects, the most serious problem that benzodiazepines in general and Orfidal in particular entail is the easy emergence of tolerance to these drugs, accompanied by dependence.
Pharmacological tolerance refers to when the effect of a drug is significantly reduced after a few weeks or months of consumption. That is to say, the therapeutic effects that the medication gave at the beginning of the treatment are increasingly weaker when consuming the same dose. This is why consuming Orfidal and other benzos for years does not make sense.
Directly related to tolerance we have dependence, that is, addiction is generated Seeing that the effects of the drug are decreasing with the same dose, patients increase it. They are also reluctant to abandon Orfidal since they believe that, although it no longer has the same initial hypnotic effect, when they leave it they will suffer a lot of anxiety and insomnia.
In the specific case of Orfidal, the main side effects are disorders linked to the immune and lymphatic systems. This drug can cause a decrease in platelets in the blood, as well as pancytopenia, which is the reduction of blood cells (red and white blood cells and platelets).
Another aspect why you should be careful with Orfidal is related to its mechanism of action. This drug acts directly on the brain, making the passage of information between neurons much slower, since it promotes the action of the neurotransmitter GABA. This is why it can cause weakness, drowsiness, muscle weakness, dizziness and decreased alertness as side effects. There is a relationship between suffering more accidents and injuries and taking Orfidal.
Sudden abandonment of Orfidal without proper medical control can lead to withdrawal syndrome The symptoms of this drug, which is especially related to the degree of tolerance and dependence presented by the patient, are headache and nervousness.
This is why the consumption of any drug, and in this case Orfidal and other benzodiazepines, must be done following the recommendations and criteria of the professional. The following measures must be adopted:
Orfidal Precautions
Like any other drug, the consumption of Orfidal involves a series of precautions. The main thing is to know if you are allergic to any type of benzodiazepine , especially lorazepam. You should also not take this drug if you have autoimmune diseases, severe respiratory failure, kidney problems and liver problems, as well as a history of addiction to benzodiazepines.
Orfidal consumption It is not recommended if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant , which will be necessary to inform the psychiatrist if you wish to start treatment with this drug. It is also not recommended to prescribe Orfidal in girls, either as an antidepressant or as a hypnotic. It is not at all advisable to consume this drug accompanied by alcohol, since the sedative effects of this medication are increased.
When and how to stop taking this drug?
How to stop taking Orfidal? As a general rule, benzodiazepines They should be reduced little by little, especially if the treatment has been longer than 6 months This is done with the intention of weaning the person off the drug, while preventing withdrawal syndrome. It is advisable to reduce the total daily dose between 10 and 25% every two weeks, although there are different forms of intervention in this regard and each person will need a different reduction.
Sometimes, in the case of benzodiazepines, post-withdrawal syndrome may appear. This can occur after 8 weeks, with insomnia persisting and a greater vulnerability to stress, anxiety and irritability. In this case, you should go to the doctor to see what therapeutic options can be applied and if it is really advisable to stop taking Orfidal at this time.
In some cases, withdrawing the drug may imply smaller benefits than the negative consequences related to the withdrawal itself , either the appearance of the symptoms for which you were taking the drug or the risk of withdrawal syndrome occurring. This is why the doctor must assess whether it is advisable to continue the treatment in the long term, with periodic evaluation and finding the optimal time for cessation.
As we have mentioned, Orfidal and other benzodiazepines easily generate dependence and tolerance. That is why It is recommended that it be used for short periods of time As they are symptomatic and non-curative treatments for anxiety, insomnia and stress, they should be combined with psychotherapy to find out what causes discomfort in the person and how to solve it. Masking the symptom, in the long run, is not a good therapeutic option. You must work on the problem that generates it.
