The effect of alprazolam and clonazepam on the immune system, blood vessels and blood cells

Content:

1. Description of the drug: what is it for, is it a drug?
2. Why is alprazolam dangerous and is it a drug?
3. How it affects the body
4. Why is alprazolam dangerous and why is it used by drug addicts?
5. Formation of addiction
6. What is chemical dependency
7. Withdrawal syndrome
8. Therapy

Uncontrolled use of alprazolam is a problem
that every specialist involved in medicine or related sciences has heard about. Why did it happen that one of the most effective medications aimed at treating anxiety-phobic disorders began to be sold on the black markets as a drug? Why is alprazolam dangerous, and how to cope with addiction? More on this below.

Composition and mechanism of action

The chemical structure of the drug Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine. It depresses the central nervous system, with the greatest effect on the thalamus, hypothalamus, and limbic structures in general. The drug enhances the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid, the main neurotransmitter of inhibition during the transmission of nerve impulses. After taking the drug, activation of postsynaptic GABA receptors occurs in the reticular formation of the brain stem and in the interneurons of the lateral horns of the spinal cord. As a result, the excitability of the subcortical centers of the brain decreases, polysynaptic spinal reflexes (cough, swallowing and others) are inhibited.

Why is alprazolam dangerous and is it a drug?

This medication is not a narcotic drug. The increased interest of drug addicts in Xanax is explained by its ability to reduce the intensity of symptoms during the development of syndrome o), induce a state of mild euphoria, and reduce the level of restlessness and anxiety.

Most doctors believe that alprazolam, when used correctly, is absolutely safe, and this is true.

. Strict adherence to the instructions of the attending physician regarding the dosage and duration of the course reduces the risk of addiction to a minimum. The question of how to relieve dependence on alprazolam does not arise in principle.

general description

Alprazolam has all the properties of “classical” tranquilizers. The spectrum of its pharmacotherapeutic activity includes the following effects:

• anxiolytic;
• sedative;
• hypnotic;
• muscle relaxant;
• anticonvulsant.

Due to the high affinity for specific endogenous benzodiazepine receptors, the effect of the drug develops faster. It differs from its analogues in less severe adverse reactions: it causes daytime drowsiness, sudden mood swings, and lethargy much less frequently. That is why it is very often used in outpatient practice.

Mechanism of action

The therapeutic effect of Alprazolam is associated with its selective effect on various classes of GABA receptors (GABA or γ-aminobutyric acid is the main “inhibitory” neurotransmitter). They are localized in the cerebellum, hippocampus, spinal cord and other parts of the central nervous system. By interacting with GABA receptors, Alprazolam indirectly affects the functions of the noradrenergic, serotonergic, cholinergic and opioidergic systems. This is what explains the effectiveness of the medication for anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The drug also has lipophilic properties, so it binds well to plasma proteins and easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier. Thanks to this, the therapeutic effect appears very quickly. Up to 75–80% of the drug is excreted unchanged from the body in the urine, the rest is metabolized in the liver.

Indications for use

As practice and clinical research data show, Alprazolam is most effective for pathologies accompanied by anxiety, fear and restlessness. This:

• panic, obsessive-compulsive, acute stress, generalized anxiety disorder;
• some forms of depression;
• phobias;
• alcohol or drug withdrawal (with caution due to the risk of complications);
• severe premenstrual syndrome;
• somatic diseases accompanied by anxiety syndrome.

Contraindications and application features

Based on the characteristics of metabolism, Alprazolam is prescribed with caution in chronic pathologies of the liver and kidneys. In such cases, individual dose selection is required. A gradual accumulation of the drug and a high risk of intoxication cannot be ruled out. Therefore, for such diseases, the medication is prescribed only according to strict indications and the impossibility of choosing a safer analogue.

During the course of treatment with Alprazolam, medications that reduce the activity of liver enzymes are contraindicated. These are the following:

• antiviral;
• antifungal;
• some antibacterials (in particular, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin);
• antidepressants;
• antiulcer (omeprazole), etc.

Due to the risk of overdose, narcotic analgesics, other sedative and hypnotic medications, and alcohol are strictly prohibited. Alprazolam is contraindicated in:

• respiratory failure, obstructive chronic pulmonary diseases;
• individual intolerance and allergic reaction;
• pregnancy due to the risk of severe congenital malformations of the fetus, you should also stop breastfeeding;
• in childhood and adolescence (up to 18 years);
• severe depression with suicide attempts (benzodiazepines increase the symptoms of the disorder).

Why Alprazolam is dangerous: side effects and overdose symptoms

The most common adverse reactions are of a neurological nature. This feeling of fatigue, dizziness, drowsiness, exercise intolerance, general malaise. They are most pronounced at the initial stage of the course of treatment, and then gradually disappear in most patients. Also possible:

• lack of appetite;
• stool disorders, heartburn, flatulence;
• weight gain;
• in women - irregular menstrual cycle.

Overdose is accompanied by severe symptoms:

• slurred speech;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• slowing down the reaction rate;
• respiratory depression.

However, exceeding the daily dose is especially dangerous if you are dependent on Alprazolam, when the person no longer follows the doctor’s recommendations. When combined with alcohol or drugs, an overdose can be fatal.

Formation of addiction

Long-term use of the drug is fraught with the development of severe psychophysical dependence. It is difficult to indicate the exact timing of its formation due to many factors: health status, body characteristics, dose, individual susceptibility, etc. On average, addiction develops within 1.5-2 months of regular use.

exceeding recommended sizes and doses.

Among the main negative consequences of drug addiction is the withdrawal syndrome that occurs when you stop taking alprozolam. The pathological condition is accompanied by the return of psychoneurological symptoms, the relief of which the treatment was aimed at.

At this moment, most patients begin to feel that a full existence without this medicine is impossible for them. Of course, this is far from true. The problem is solvable. To understand how to relieve dependence on alprazolam, you need to understand the very concept of chemical dependence. What is it and how does it manifest itself?

Indications

Indications for use of the drug are:

• relief of psychomotor agitation, tension, irritability in mental, neurological, somatic diseases;
• symptomatic treatment of withdrawal syndrome that occurs against the background of chronic alcoholism;
• anxiety;
• providing a sedative effect during premedication;
• therapy for itchy skin.

Why and why Atarax needs to be taken is determined by the attending physician. As a rule, taking Atarax is provoked by diagnosed skin diseases, which are accompanied by severe skin itching.

What is chemical dependency

Addiction (dependence) on a substance or compound - manifests itself in the form of a strong, uncontrollable desire to use it. The need to perform this action is assessed by the addict as a priority. Everything else, until it is satisfied, loses value.

Today, there are several concepts and theories of the formation of chemical addiction in the body. The most successful and recognized is the complex biopsychosocial model of behavior, which considers the development of addictions as a result of the influence of the following factors on a person:

• biological
  - heredity, past diseases, including brain injuries, individual characteristics of the neurotransmitter system;
• psychological
  - lack of attention and love in childhood, alcoholism or drug addiction of one of the parents;
• social
  - abuse of alcoholic beverages and psychoactive substances, antisocial behavior.

The main obstacle to getting rid of the uncontrolled use of a substance that has caused addiction is denial of the very fact of its existence. Most patients are confident that they will be able to stop as soon as they decide to do so. This is partly true. Without the appropriate attitude of the patient, no treatment will be successful in the long term.

On the other hand, the patient is not able to critically comprehend his condition, and here he needs help. In most cases, the desire of a drug addict to undergo treatment is the result of coordinated work

his close relatives, narcologists and psychotherapists. This should be remembered.

Withdrawal syndrome

Long-term use of this drug leads to increased tolerance. The patient stops feeling pleasure and begins to increase the dose. After 1.5-2 months, in the intervals between taking the medicine, she begins to feel the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome.

Withdrawal symptoms:

• causeless anxiety, severe agitation;
• aggressive behavior, irritability;
• insomnia, and when falling asleep - nightmares;
• sweating;
• depression;
• intolerance to bright light and excessively loud sounds;
• muscle tremors;
• development of epileptic seizures.

How to stop dependence on alprazolam? It's difficult to do this on your own. You can try to gradually reduce the dose, but the essence of addiction is that a person is not able to adequately think and control his actions. For this reason, experts strongly advise not to put your health at risk and to immediately seek qualified help.

Therapy

Treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. Every 4-5 days the dose is reduced. After which alprazolam is replaced by other tranquilizers. At the same time, symptomatic treatment is carried out aimed at eliminating the patient's insomnia, seizures, pain and disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Next comes the stage of psychological rehabilitation

. Most specialists, when developing a rehabilitation strategy, take into account the age, level of psychological dependence and personal characteristics of the patient. Great importance is attached to working with codependents (relatives and loved ones of the patient).

The last stage is socialization.

Here, a lot depends on where the person returns from the clinic, how committed he is to changing his lifestyle, and whether he receives support from family and specialists. New habits need to be formed. Change your social circle, and in some cases, your place of residence. Find a hobby that will capture your entire attention and leave no time for bad thoughts. Over time, the risk of relapse will decrease. In 2-3 years it will be possible to talk about a complete cure.

How to take Atarax

At the pharmacy, Atarax can be purchased in two forms - a solution for intramuscular injection and tablets for oral administration. The dosage is selected by the attending physician and depends on the clinical picture of the disease, symptoms, nature of the course and the patient himself, or rather his individual reaction of the body to therapy with Atarax.

How to take Atarax correctly

Atarax in ampoules

Premedication

• children: 1 mg/kg body weight 1 hour before surgery, if necessary, the dose can be administered at night before anesthesia;
• adults: 50–200 mg 1 hour before surgery, if necessary, the same dose can be administered the night before anesthesia.

Symptomatic treatment of itching

• children 1–6 years old: 1–2.5 mg/kg per day in several doses;
• children over 6 years old: 1–2 mg/kg per day in several doses;
• adults: at the beginning of treatment - 25 mg 1 time / day, if necessary, increase the dose to 25 mg 4 times / day. In this case, the maximum dose should not exceed 300 mg per day and 200 mg at a time.

Symptomatic treatment of anxiety: morning and afternoon - 12.5 mg, at night - 25 mg (total daily dose - 50 mg).

If the need arises, the doctor can increase the daily dose to 300 mg (maximum value). But if the patient has a history of renal or liver failure, or if the patient is elderly, then the dose is reduced.

Atarax tablets

Reception during premedication and for symptomatic treatment of itching coincides with the recommendations when using Atarax injection solution.

Anxiety

• The daily dose for adults is 50 mg and, if necessary, can be increased to 300 mg. A quarter of the daily dose is taken in the morning during the day, and all that remains is taken before bed.

If the medicine is used by patients with a history of renal or liver failure, as well as people in older age groups, dosage adjustment (reduction) may be required.

Literature:

1. General characteristics, application in medicine, methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis of alprazolam / Alexander Igorevich Medvetsky / 2013 / Far Eastern Medical Journal
2. The problem of pharmacy drug addiction in Tver / Inzhevatova A.E., Minakova Yu.E., Morozov A.M. / 2021 / FORCIPE
3. Use of alprazolam in clinical practice / Fursov Boris Borisovich, Papsuev Oleg Olegovich / 2012 / Social and clinical psychiatry

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Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of the drug:

• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• porphyria;
• intolerance or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• high sensitivity to cetirizine, piperazine derivatives, as well as ethylenediamine or aminophylline;
• angle-closure glaucoma;
• impaired absorption of glucose and galactose;
• hereditary galactose intolerance.

Pregnant women should not use Atarax.

Atarax is used with caution in the following cases:

• myasthenia gravis;
• prostatic hyperplasia;
• difficulty defecating and urinating;
• dementia;
• increased intraocular pressure;
• predisposition to arrhythmia and seizures.