How to Use Benzodiazepines

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By Maggie Hira
eHow Contributing Writer

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Benzodiazepines are a family of depressant drugs used to treat a variety of medical conditions including anxiety, seizures, severe insomnia and muscle spasms. Some well-known benzodiazepines include Valium and Xanax, both of which are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In high doses, benzodiazepines act as hypnotics and they can be highly addictive. In low doses, they act as sedatives to temporarily calm and relax agitated nerves.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Take benzodiazepines exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Since these drugs have a high potential for abuse, it's imperative that they be taken under doctor's supervision.
Step 2

Avoid alcoholic drinks while using benzodiazepines. By themselves this family of drugs influences motor skills and taking them with alcohol will impair these skills further.
Step 3

If you miss a scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's too close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as scheduled.
Step 4

Wean yourself off of benzodiazepines gradually. Abruptly stopping the use of these drugs can result in withdrawal symptoms including an increase in anxiety, erratic behavior, extreme drowsiness and insomnia. Talk to your doctor before making the decision to stop taking benzodiazepines.
Step 5

Store benzodiazepines in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children.

Tips & Warnings

Side effects from high doses include mood swings, erratic or hostile behavior, feelings of euphoria, and slowed reflexes. Side effects from low doses include drowsiness, fatigue, vertigo, dizziness, slurred speech, dry mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, depression, impaired memory and stuttering.
Tolerance may increase for people who use benzodiazepines for six months or more. If you believe you may have taken too much and are at risk of overdose, contact your doctor immediately.