Tranxilium is a medication that falls within the group of Benzodiazepines. In this article we explain what it is, how to use it and what side effects it can cause.
Benzodiazepines had a boom in the 1970s, becoming one of the most prescribed medications globally .
However, this medication has many adverse health effects if used improperly, which is why there was a huge allegation in the UK that they were marketed without notifying medical staff of their side effects.
Benzodiazepines were discovered in 1955, when Leo Sternbach, at that time an employee of the Roche pharmaceutical company, synthesized Chlordiazepoxide, which was marketed in 1960 under the trade name “Librium”. In this article we will talk about a more modern Benzodiazepine, Tranxilium . We will explain what it is, how it is used and what side effects it can cause.
What is Tranxilium?
Tranxilium is a medication from the Benzodiazepine family, also known as minor tranquilizers. Benzodiazepines act in the brain by increasing the activity of the GABA neurotransmitter, which in adequate doses causes sedative, hypnotic (helps us sleep), anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxation effects .
It is safe medication as long as they are taken in short treatments and with the lowest possible doses. In general, Benzodiazepines have many adverse effects and negative interactions with other types of medication or substances, such as alcohol.
We will talk about these effects later in the article, but we can advance that the use of Benzodiazepines can generate addiction, as well as tolerance (that is, we will need more and more doses to produce the same effect) .
Uses of this medication
Tranxilium is mainly used to treat different manifestations derived from anxiety. For example:
- isolated episodes of anxiety
- Anxiety linked to another disease
- irritability
- hyperemotivity
- Sleep disorders
- senile anxiety
- menopausal anxiety
- Anxiety derived from post-traumatic syndromes
- You could also read: “9 natural remedies to combat insomnia”
Contraindications
The use of Tranxilium (or other Benzodiazepines) is not recommended for pregnant or lactating mothers, or women seeking or suspecting a pregnancy . This is because this type of medication can affect the unborn baby, and can cause withdrawal syndrome in children who, once separated from the mother, stop receiving doses of Benzodiazepines. Tranxilium is also capable of reaching breast milk, so the use of this medication in cases of lactation is not recommended.
Regular use in elderly people is also not recommended , since the side effects of this type of medication when we talk about the elderly, may not justify the benefit obtained from it. Elderly people, in addition, run a greater risk of acquiring dependency , which means that the prescription of Benzodiazepines to this group is generally discouraged.
The same for people who suffer from depression or suicidal tendencies, since one of the possible side effects of Benzodiazepines is the increase in suicidal ideation in these groups. Obviously they are not recommended for people with a history of substance abuse either, due to the implicit risk involved in prescribing an addictive substance to a person with addiction problems.
There are also several types of medication that should not be taken in conjunction with Tranxilium, such as opioids (for example morphine or codeine, used to treat pain), as this combination of medications can cause sedation, breathing difficulties, induce coma or even cause death.
- It might interest you: “16 rules for safe medication (and not putting your health at risk)”
Side Effects of Tranxilium
The adverse effects of Tranxilium are similar to those produced by the rest of Benzodiazepines. We have already briefly talked about its ability to cause physical and mental dependencies in people who use it. The risk of acquiring a physical dependence on Tranxilium will increase with the prescribed dose , in long treatments or if the patient combines alcohol with his medication.
This physical dependence manifests itself once treatment is interrupted , causing withdrawal syndrome. This syndrome commonly causes headache, muscle pain, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and irritability, but in severe cases also photophobia, phobia of physical contact, hallucinations, or seizures. Due to these effects, treatment with Tranxilium should not last longer than 12 consecutive weeks.
It can also cause drowsiness and muscle weakness, so it is not recommended for people who use heavy machinery in their workday. It can also cause anterograde amnesia (that is, amnesia that affects our long-term memory) if it is used before going to sleep and the sleep is too short. This medication should only be used before going to sleep if we can ensure 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Finally, it is important to mention the possible risk of the “rebound effect” that can be suffered when stopping this medication . This means that right after stopping Tranxilium or other Benzodiazepines, we can see the reappearance of the symptoms that led us to take it in the first place.
Despite being frustrating and paradoxical effects, it is theoretically a transitory phenomenon, and the risk and intensity of the rebound effect is minimized if we gradually stop taking the medication (little by little we will take a lower dose) instead of stopping it directly.
Bibliographic references
- Leo H. Sternbach. (1979) The benzodiazepine story. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 22 (1), 1-7.
- Sophie Billioti de Gage et al.(2015) Is there really a link between benzodiazepine use and the risk of dementia?, Expert Opinion on Drug Safety.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.