Clorazepate belongs to the benzodiazepine class of medicines, categorised as central nervous system (CNS) depressants that cause the neurological system to slow down. Clorazepate is commonly used to treat anxiety and some types of seizures. It’s also used to alleviate the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. In some circumstances, it is used with other medications to treat partial seizures.
For the first time in the 1960s, benzodiazepines were launched as a sedative-hypnotic. Only a small percentage of the 50 or more medicines discovered were approved for use in clinical trials. Clorazepate was produced in two salts: dipotassium and monopotassium salts. In 1972, the monopotassium salt of clorazepate was marketed as Azene, and the dipotassium version was sold as Tranxene. Benzodiazepines are commonly utilised in clinical practice. However, they are known to be habit-forming when used for lengthy periods.
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Clorazepate is categorised as a Class C substance in the United Kingdom, which means it is among the least toxic pharmaceuticals. However, the only way to legally purchase the drug is to obtain a prescription from a medical practitioner.
Clorazepate is available as a tablet to be swallowed. It’s commonly taken once or twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and if there is anything you don’t understand, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain it to you. Clorazepate should be taken exactly as prescribed.
If you’re using clorazepate to treat anxiety or seizures, your doctor would most likely start you on a high dose and gradually decrease it as your symptoms improve.
Clorazepate is marketed under a number of brand names around the world, including Tranxene, Gen-Xene, Tranxilium, and Novo-Clopate.
Clorazepate creates the active metabolite desmethyl-diazepam, which has a half-life of 20–179 hours and is a partial agonist of the GABAA receptor. A small quantity of desmethyldiazepam is further metabolised into oxazepam. Clorazepate works by increasing the frequency with which the chloride ion channel of GABAA receptors opens. The presence of the neurotransmitter GABA is required for this effect of benzodiazepines, which results in heightened inhibitory effects of GABA acting on GABAA receptors. Clorazepate, like other benzodiazepines, is broadly disseminated and tightly linked to plasma proteins. It also crosses the placenta and enters breast milk with ease. Peak plasma levels of the active metabolite desmethyl-diazepam are observed between 30 minutes and 2 hours following oral clorazepate dosing.
Clorazepate is a drug often used to treat anxiety disorders, such as extreme anxiety and discomfort, insomnia, and acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome. It’s also used as an anticonvulsant in treating epilepsy and related diseases, as a muscle relaxant, and to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome when paired with clidinium bromide.
Addiction usually begins with a doctor’s prescription. It will most likely be recommended for anxiety or to aid with the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. However, when your tolerance develops, you may hesitate to stop taking the prescription because you’re afraid your initial issues will return. If you find yourself in this scenario, speak with your doctor right away to avoid a worsening of your dependency.
Addiction occurs when a person becomes so reliant on a drug that they are unable to function without it. If you believe you’ve arrived at this phase, your drug addiction is most certainly affecting many elements of your life.
Do not delay in seeking therapy. Addiction should not be allowed to worsen over time. Continued drug misuse can have negative consequences for your physical and mental health, as well as the health of those closest to you.
Although Class C drugs have established medicinal uses and a low risk of misuse and physical dependence, they nonetheless pose a danger. The abuse and addiction to benzodiazepines have become a hot topic in recent years.
When someone takes medicine like Clorazepate, they may feel euphoria or an excellent sense of relaxation. The brain may respond with a reward response as a result of this. Addiction may develop when a reward response is triggered. Addiction is a disease of the brain with identifiable symptoms. Symptoms include continuing to administer a substance despite unfavourable outcomes or focusing a great deal of attention on the substance. People who abuse Clorazepate are more likely to develop an addiction. Clorazepate abuse includes taking higher doses than prescribed or more frequently than recommended. People who use it for a long time or without a prescription are more prone to develop an addiction.
Clorazepate is only meant to be used for a brief period of time due to the potential for addiction and misuse. Clorazepate should be avoided by those who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or physical dependence. People with a history of mental health issues, such as depression, should also avoid taking this drug.
Clorazepate may be mistakenly mixed with other substances, which can be harmful. Others may do it recreationally to get a stronger high. Combining a benzodiazepine-like Clorazepate with an opioid or alcohol, for example, is not unusual. This would amplify the effects of both, but it comes with several drawbacks. By taking Clorazepate with another narcotic, you increase your chances of becoming addicted. Clorazepate medication includes a block box warning regarding the possibility of CNS and respiratory depression, mainly when used with opioids.
Physical dependence is a topic of discussion in addition to Clorazepate addiction and misuse. Addiction differs from dependency in that one is a psychiatric illness while the other is a physiological necessity. It is possible to be addicted to or reliant on Clorazepate without having both symptoms. Addiction is a brain condition marked by compulsive substance use despite negative consequences. With the proper treatment, it is possible to overcome addiction. Dependence is a physiological state. When the body and brain are exposed to a chemical regularly, they develop accustomed to it. This is what is referred to as an adaptive state. If someone is addicted to Clorazepate and suddenly stops using it, they may have withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction and dependency are closely connected behaviours. Addiction usually has a dependency component, but each can happen independently. Dependence is a primarily physiological phenomenon that occurs when an individual’s system adjusts to the presence of a specific substance in the body.
On the other hand, addiction is essentially a psychological construct in which a person feels forced to regularly engage in a particular behaviour, such as clorazepate use.
Medical science does not yet fully comprehend the phenomenon of addiction, in that doctors do not yet know why one individual may succumb to addiction while another, in comparable circumstances, does not. What is known is that both environmental and genetic factors play a role. Equally certain is that consuming clorazepate regularly over time increases the chance of addiction and dependence, while never taking clorazepate eliminates the chances of getting hooked on it.
Because it’s so simple to acquire tolerance to the drug’s sleep-inducing, anticonvulsant, and muscle-relaxant properties, you might take it longer than you intended. Withdrawal syndromes accompany tolerance, and the more you take the drug to relieve your symptoms, the more likely you are to become dependent on it.
Long-term use (for more than four weeks) of clorazepate is one of the risk factors for addiction to the drug. You may also be at risk if you have a history of drug misuse or take higher-than-recommended amounts. If you use clorazepate with other cross-tolerant sedative-hypnotics like alcohol or barbiturates, you’re more likely to develop dependent.
A family history of drug misuse and addiction and a family history of mental health disorders are substantial risk factors for developing clorazepate abuse and addiction.
Environmental risk factors for clorazepate abuse and addiction include trauma, extremely challenging life conditions, and engaging with a peer group where clorazepate usage is frequent.
Clorazepate, like any other benzodiazepine, is known to be addictive. It’s impossible to compare its dependence risk to that of other benzodiazepines. Still, its extended half-life and continuous release formulation may make it slightly more addictive, as it stays active longer, and abusers may take more significant dosages than prescribed. Thousands of people throughout the world are known to be addicted to clorazepate, and dependency can develop in as little as a few weeks. Clorazepate withdrawal, like those of other benzodiazepines, can be lethal.
If your loved one doesn’t display indications of dependence or addiction, it can be difficult to tell if they’ve been abusing substances. Keep an eye on them to see if they take more of the drug than prescribed or continue to use it after the doctor has told them to stop.
Lying about drug usage, attempting to obtain several prescriptions from various doctors, neglecting tasks, being agitated or aggressive when asked about drug use, stealing money or engaging in other risky behaviour to get the medication are all signs of addiction.
While the majority of the consequences of this medication are psychological, there are physical signs that indicate whether you or a loved one is abusing the substance or addicted to clorazepate.
Poor coordination, impaired vision, trouble maintaining stability while moving about or walking, and sleepiness are some physical indications to watch for. You can also notice that the muscles are sluggish. Fainting and coma, as well as aggression, are other biological indicators.
There are numerous psychological signs and symptoms of clorazepate usage and addiction. While some aren’t immediately apparent (from the outside), others aren’t too tough to figure out. Impaired judgement, diminished inhibition, unsettling dreams, impatience, and amnesia are some of the symptoms.
You may notice signs like disorientation and the start of dementia if you are an older person – or if a loved one abusing the substance is senior. Depression is another major symptom that might arise (particularly long-term use).
Withdrawal from benzodiazepine addiction is often regarded as one of the most uncomfortable, risky, and potentially lethal withdrawal symptoms. While withdrawal is almost always unavoidable if you have acquired a clorazepate addiction, the good news is that many of the most unpleasant aspects of clorazepate withdrawal can be alleviated with medication.
Some common withdrawal symptoms include:
Withdrawal from clorazepate dependence takes two to four weeks on average, with acute withdrawal starting three days after the last dose and continuing up to a week. Please keep in mind that this is simply a guideline. Other people may experience withdrawal that lasts much longer. Furthermore, some people develop a syndrome called protracted (or post-acute) withdrawal, in which withdrawal symptoms can last months or even years.
Misusing this medication can cause various unpleasant short-term adverse effects, including decreased attention and alertness, dizziness and drowsiness. Other side effects include depression, hunger changes, nightmares, euphoria, confusion, impaired vision, and nausea. If you’re older, you can have trouble with coordination, which can lead to falls and injuries.
Short-term side effects of clorazepate abuse could also include digestive and gastrointestinal issues. You may have nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. If the drug is given intravenously, it might cause slowed respiration and hypotension.
The withdrawal symptoms linked with clorazepate addiction are one of the consequences of being addicted to it. Some are extremely harmful, causing health problems throughout the withdrawal phase. There’s also the chance of difficulties emerging.
Clorazepate should be used with caution in the elderly, minors, those with co-occurring psychiatric problems, and those addicted to alcohol or drugs. Pregnant women and women who are attempting to conceive should also be treated with extra caution.
All sedatives and hypnotics have the potential to interact dangerously with clorazepate (including other benzodiazepines, alcohol, antihistamines, neuroleptics, opiates, antiepileptics and sleep aids). Disulfiram, fluoxetine, digoxin, ketoconazole, levodopa, metoprolol, isoniazid, rifampin, propranolol, probenecid, hormonal contraceptives, theophylline, valproic acid, macrolide antibiotics, cimetidine, antimycotics, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and phenobarbital are also among the medications whose interaction with Clorazepate is dangerous.
Substance addiction can cause significant physical and mental health problems, ranging from liver damage to memory loss if you do it for a long time. Clorazepate can cause vision issues, slower reflexes, clumsiness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination, placing you at risk of falling and being involved in accidents.
An overdose occurs when a person consumes too much of a chemical for their system to digest properly. Overdosing on clorazepate can cause the following symptoms:
If you see any of these symptoms in someone you know who has taken clorazepate, you should seek medical help immediately.
Clorazepate, like any other benzodiazepine, is a popular choice among teenagers due to its relatively simple use and affordable cost. If you suspect a young person you know is using clorazepate, speak with an addiction professional right away to determine the best course of action.
While clorazepate can have physical, mental, behavioural, and emotional effects, it can also have a social impact. Isolation is the most prevalent social result of substance abuse, and it can lead to you cutting off contact with your friends. When you can’t contribute as much as you used to because of your clorazepate expenditures, it can lead to more social problems – notably inside the family.
Your relationships deteriorate and become dysfunctional as you distance yourself from friends and loved ones. Slowly but steadily, distrust creeps into the family unit, causing it to disintegrate and your offspring to suffer emotional problems.
If you have a clorazepate addiction, the situation you are dealing with has the potential to damage your health and possibly end your life, so it is critical that you take the first step toward recovery by recognising your addiction. Then and only then will any assistance you receive be effective. Make an appointment with your doctor or an addiction specialist and take the first step toward a happier, healthier, and more successful life. Don’t let addiction destroy your life any longer: receive the help you need to reclaim your life.
As a result of the increase in benzodiazepine addiction cases in recent years, plenty of treatment facilities have sprung up around the country. Addiction treatment normally comprises two major phases: detox/withdrawal (with medical aid) and counselling (or therapy). Patients return to their everyday lives after completing the treatment programme, and it is also recommended that they participate in aftercare programmes to help them maintain their sobriety.
There is no uniform detoxification process for clorazepate addiction: different facilities have different protocols, and individual patients may have varied experiences.
For example, some people may need to reduce their clorazepate use before starting a detox. Meanwhile, some people may benefit from prescription drugs, while others may not. If you’re thinking about going to a treatment centre for clorazepate detox, obtain as much information as possible from the doctors there ahead of time, so you know what to anticipate. If you’re thinking about going to a treatment centre for clorazepate detox, obtain as much information as possible from the doctors there ahead of time. Most professionals recommend this alternative for patients with a high level of Clorazepate dependence. This alternative is undoubtedly appropriate for you if a preliminary screening shows that you may encounter significant withdrawal symptoms.
When you detox in an inpatient rehab facility, you’ll have access to medical care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a result, in an emergency, a professional will always be there to assist you. Another advantage of the inpatient programme is the therapeutic environment’s exclusivity. Concentrating on your rehabilitation is simpler when you’re in a quiet, serene setting. It blocks out all outside distractions, allowing you to focus solely on your rehabilitation. As a result, it is always our first recommendation.
The outpatient programme is a more flexible approach in which people start treatment from their various residences or places of work. This approach is usually indicated for individuals with a low Clorazepate dependence or busy schedules.
This alternative is appropriate if your addiction is not as severe and you do not require intense treatment methods. However, while outpatient treatment lets you focus on other elements of your life, such as school, employment, or family obligations, it also exposes you to drugs while you are in treatment. The outside world’s distractions constitute a disadvantage for people healing in outpatient programmes. This is a severe worry, especially for fragile patients.
We strongly recommend inpatient programmes as the number one option for outpatient programmes unless it is absolutely required and protections are in place to deal with probable relapse.
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Only therapy can identify and address the fundamental psychological roots of addiction and provide patients with psychological defence mechanisms against relapse. Therapy is at the heart of all addiction treatment. While detox and withdrawal can alleviate the immediate pressures of dependence, an individual is more likely to revert to old patterns of behaviour, such as substance misuse and addiction, without the subsequent assistance of therapy. Addiction treatment can be delivered in various formats and models, including group and one-on-one sessions.
Rehabilitation treatment employs various strategies to help a former abuser improve their mindset and achieve independence from the substance in question. It also identifies the most likely cause of addiction and seeks to eradicate it entirely.
The following are examples of common types of therapy:
Alternative forms of therapy can help you strengthen your spiritual as well as mental and physical strength. Meditation and mindfulness, acupuncture, massage treatment, arts and craft therapy and yoga practice are among them.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a psychosocial substance abuse treatment. Its purpose is to help people establish effective coping skills for cravings and situations that have previously led to substance misuse. The majority of Clorazepate users use the substance to deal with a variety of issues. Through this treatment therapy, they will be able to question negative attitudes and beliefs and build healthier ones.
Family therapy allows a patient’s family members to participate in their care. Family therapy allows users to discuss the role of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT is another type of treatment that is used to help people who are addicted to drugs. DBT is a technique that teaches people how to manage their emotions and stress.
DBT teaches people how to control their rage and irritation. It also aids in developing coping skills so that unpleasant emotions do not overwhelm them. It can also be applied in a family context, where family members discuss challenges and help each other realise what they can do to improve the user’s rehabilitation.
Recovery is a long-term – and sometimes lifelong – journey with numerous potential dangers. While preventing relapse is critical to recovery, if you do relapse, do not despair or believe that you have completely failed and that restarting your addiction is unavoidable because mistakes can happen. Therapy, such as that provided in rehab, can equip you with numerous relapse prevention techniques, while participation in self-help groups and counselling can also help you cope. Participating in self-help groups and counselling can also help you recover. Consult an addiction specialist about relapse prevention methods.
Several high-quality facilities and organisations treat addiction all around the United Kingdom. Talk to your doctor or one of our addiction specialists at Compare Rehab UK about your treatment options. Call us on 0800 999 1083 for confidential help today.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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