About Bromazepam
Bromazepam is an anti-anxiety treatment and a sedative. Bromazepam
is in the group of drugs known as benzodiazepines, a class of antidepressants,
anti-panic agents, and muscle relaxants.
Bromazepam is usually used as a short term treatment for
major anxiety, but is not recommended for use to relieve everyday
stress or anxiety. This medication may also be used to relieve
temporary insomnia, but if used daily, it will become ineffective
in a few weeks.
Bromazepam is only available by prescription in Canada.
Bromazepam Side Effects
Bromazepam side effects are usually temporary, and fade with continued
treatment. Higher dosage also increases the risk of side effects.
Operating automobiles or heavy machinery is not recommended while
taking Bromazepam. Be aware of how this medication affects you before
attempting any potentially dangerous activities.
Common Bromazepam side effects: drowsiness, fatigue, light-headedness,
rebound insomnia (on stopping treatment), slurred speech.
Less common Bromazepam side effects: abdominal cramps, anxiety,
constipation, dry mouth, hyperventilation, blurred vision, nausea,
chest pain, change in sex drive, confusion, depression, headache,
change in appetite, insomnia, unusual dreams, change in salivation,
low blood pressure, racing heartbeat, fainting, nasal congestion,
sweating, weight change, skin irritation, twitching or tremors,
nervous or anxious state, sun sensitivity, respiratory infection,
memory impairment, menstrual difficulties, and loss of coordination.
Speak to your doctor about any of these effects; your dosage may
need to be adjusted or treatment discontinued.
Rare Bromazepam side effects: difficulty concentrating,
slurred or unusual speech, delusions, double vision, fear, altered
sense of taste, lack of inhibition, muscle cramps or spasms, urination
problems or incontinence, tingling, seizure, sores in mouth, warmth,
weakness, change in muscle tone, uncontrolled movements, or yellow
eyes and skin. Speak to your doctor if you experience any of these
effects; your treatment may need to be discontinued, or you may
require medical attention.
Bromazepam treatment should be discontinued if any of the following
occur: hyperexcitement, muscle spasm, anxiety, hallucinations,
rage or other hostile behavior, tremors, insomnia, sleeping difficulties
or overstimulation.
Cautions: Bromazepam has been known to interact undesirably with certain medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have, or have a history of, any of the following conditions:
- Alcohol or drug abuse - may increase likelihood of Bromazepam dependence
- Allergic reaction to Bromazepam, or other benzodiazepine. Always
tell your doctor about any allergies before starting a medication.
- Borderline personality disorder or a history of violent behavior.
- Brain disease - may increase likelihood of side effects from
Bromazepam
- Breathing difficulties such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema,
or any other chronic lung disease - Bromazepam may worsen this condition.
- Difficulty swallowing - This condition may become more pronounced
in children.
- Epilepsy or seizures - Abruptly starting or stopping treatment
with Bromazepam may increase seizures. Although Bromazepam can be used as
an aid to anti-tremor therapy, it should be used cautiously and
strictly according to a doctor's instructions in these cases.
- Glaucoma - Bromazepam should not be prescribed to patients with acute
narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients receiving treatment for open angle
glaucoma should consult their doctor, as Bromazepam may be an acceptable
treatment for them.
- Hyperactivity
- Kidney or liver problems - In isolated cases, Bromazepam has been
reported to cause jaundice. If you experience yellowing of the
skin or eyes, seek medical treatment immediately. More Bromazepam may
end up in your bloodstream if you have a pre-existing kidney or
liver condition, increasing the likelihood of side effects.
- Major Depression
- Myasthenia gravis - This autoimmune disorder characterized by
muscle weakness may be aggravated by Bromazepam treatment.
- Porphyria - Bromazepam (alprazolam) is listed as an unsafe drug for
porphyria, an enzyme deficiency that can cause fragile skin that
is sensitive to sunlight, digestive difficulties, anxiety, and
reddish-brown urine.
- Psychosis or other serious mental illness - Bromazepam has not proved
to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and is not
recommended.
- Sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during sleep)
- Bromazepam may worsen this condition. Individuals with sleep apnea
should not generally use sedatives as sleep aids. (See Sleep Disorders)
Dependence: Bromazepam has been known to be habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is discontinued abruptly. Follow your doctor's advice about how much, and how often, you should take Bromazepam. If you are considering stopping Bromazepam treatment, ask your doctor how to safely decrease and then stop Bromazepam.
Bromazepam Interactions
Bromazepam slows the central nervous system, and should be taken with
care with medications that do the same thing. When Bromazepam is taken
with certain other medications, the rate of side effects may increase,
and the action of either medication may be increased or altered.
Certain medications can cause an undesirable build-up of Bromazepam in
the body. Ask your doctor's advice about combining Bromazepam with any
of the following:
- Alcohol - Bromazepam should not be mixed with alcohol, it increases
the risk of overdose and fatal toxicity.
- Any medication which may cause drowsiness
- Antibiotics (esp. macrolide antibiotics) like azithromycin,
biaxin, clarythromycin, or erythromycin
- Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
- Adalat, Procardia (nifedipine)
- Antabuse (disulfiram)
- Antiseizure medication like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin
(phenytoin), or Tegretol (carbamazepine).
- Antifungals like Diflucan (fluconazole),
Nizoral (ketoconazole),
Sporanox (itraconazole), and possibly others may increase the
effects of this medication. Do not combine these treatments, dangerous
toxicity may result.
- Benzodiazepines of any other type, such as Valium
(diazepam), Halcion (triazolam),
Restoril (temazepam), Librium
(chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam),
ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin
(clonazepam)
- BuSpar (buspirone) - Can result in oversedation.
- Cardene (nicardipine)
- Cordarone (amiodarone)
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- Ergotamine derivatives
- Kava kava - Do not take this herb while taking Bromazepam.
- MAO inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil or Parnate.
- Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene),
Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol
(meperidine), Codeine, Percocet
(oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin
(hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone and ibuprofen) or OxyContin
(oxycodone) may accelerate central nervous system or respiratory
depression when taken with Bromazepam. Also, Bromazepam may decrease
the effectiveness of these medications as pain relievers.
- Norflex (orphenadrine)
- Risk of oversedation.
- Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
- Nicotine - Heavy smoking may reduce the effectiveness of your
treatment.
- Oral contraceptives - May increase the effects of Bromazepam.
- Prilosec (omeprazole) - May increase the effects of Bromazepam.
- Rescriptor (delavirdine)
- Rifamate (isoniazid), Rifater (rifampin), or Mycobutin (rifabutin)
- Sedatives like Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal
(butalbital, aspirin, and caffeine), Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or
other barbiturates
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa
(citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Serzone (nefazodone)
- Skeletal muscle relaxants such as Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin
(metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol),
or Robaxin (methocarbamol)
may cause oversedation in combination with this medication.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with Bromazepam
only as, and if, advised by your doctor.
- Street drugs - Marijuana may increase sedative effects from
Bromazepam.
- St. John's Wort - Do not take this herb while taking Bromazepam.
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the risk of side effects from Bromazepam.
- Valerian - Do not take this herb while taking Bromazepam.
Talk with your doctor if you are considering mixing an anxiety
medication like Bromazepam with any other antidepressant, or any
medication that may cause drowsiness. Anxiety medication can have
increased, unexpected, or severe side effects when mixed with other
medications that affect the central nervous system. Stimulants of
any type may blunt the effectiveness of Bromazepam.
Bromazepam Dosages
Bromazepam comes in tablets, and may be prescribed in dosages of
6-30 mg daily. Your doctor may suggest divided doses. Follow the
directions on your prescription exactly.
Bromazepam Directions
Bromazepam should be taken exactly as your doctor recommends. Don't
take more or less than prescribed, and don't double your doses if
you should miss one. Take your doctor's advice about how quickly
or slowly to ease off Bromazepam treatment if you plan to stop taking
it. Bromazepam should not be started or stopped abruptly, as it
strongly increases the likelihood of side effects.
Inform your doctor, dentist, or anesthesiologist that you are taking
Bromazepam before any kind of surgery or medical test. This medication
may interfere with certain test results. Bromazepam should not be
combined with certain medications given during surgery.
Store Bromazepam away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry
location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other
areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration
date.
Keep Bromazepam away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication.
Bromazepam may cause drowsiness or disorientation. Be cautious
if you plan to drive or operate heavy machinery, avoid these activities
if you find yourself feeling tired or experience slowed reactions.
Bromazepam and Pregnancy
Bromazepam is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding, pregnant,
or planning to become pregnant. Bromazepam could cause breathing problems
or muscle weakness in an infant. Also, a newborn whose mother had
been taking Bromazepam might experience withdrawal symptoms.
Other benzodiazepines, similar to Bromazepam, have been seen to cause
an increase in birth defects. While Bromazepam has not been demonstrated
to be a high risk factor for birth defects, the possibility exists
that it could increase their likelihood.
Bromazepam and Children
Bromazepam has not been studied for use in children.
Bromazepam and Seniors
Older adults taking Bromazepam are usually encouraged to start
with smaller doses of no more than 3 mg daily, and limit intake
to the smallest effective dose. Seniors are more likely to become
too heavily sedated, or experience decreased muscle coordination.
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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