Soporifi cs and sedatives

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EN

Soporifics and sedatives

2

Most soporifics and sedatives prescribed in Luxembourg are benzodiazepines and similar medications, such as the so-called “Z-drugs”(see table page 6)

Main active ingredient

• See table (page 6)

Legal status

• Legal• Only available on prescription

Consumption modalities

• Orally (tablets, capsules, drops)• Injection (under medical super­

vision)

EN

Soporifics and sedatives

3

Long-term risks• Dependence• Problems concentrating• Memory disorders• Anxiety• Depression

Risks and side effects• Fatigue, dejection and drowsiness• Emotional lethargy• Impaired perceptive faculty and

ability to react• Loss of libido• Paradoxical effects (disinhibition,

irritability)• Dizziness and difficulty walking• Breathing difficulties• Risk of falling and accidents

Onset and duration of effect

• Orally - Differs according to drug - Onset: after 15 to 60 minutes - Duration: between one and 48

hours

• Injection - Onset: after a few seconds - Duration: differs according to

drug, between one and 48 hours

Effects• Decreases nervousness• Reduces anxiety• Soporific• Muscle relaxant• Antiepileptic

EN

Soporifics and sedatives

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Worth knowing...

D Taking soporifics and sedatives can cause addiction. It is therefore recommended to stop taking these drugs after four to twelve weeks. There is also the risk of constantly having to increase the dose to achieve the same effect, especially with soporifics (drug tolerance).

D If you are using sedatives or soporifics over a protracted period, speak to your doctor about it. He/she can go into any issues and advise you about further treatment.

D Combined use with other substances with a depressive effect such as alcohol or barbiturates increases the risks and the danger of an overdose.

D A doctor should be consulted if you are pregnant. Soporifics and sedatives pass though the placental barrier, i.e. pass from mother to child.

D Effects and sedatives pose greater risks for the over-65s than for younger people: the effect is typically more pronounced and also lasts longer, not least because the body takes longer to eliminate medication.

EN

Soporifics and sedatives

5

Driving under the influence of medications?

• The use of soporifics and sedatives increases the risk of traffic accidents. Even during the day, they can result in increased fatigue, balance disorders and difficulty concentrating.

In the circumstances it is strongly advised not to drive or operate machinery.

Do soporifics improve sleep quality?• The natural need for sleep reduces the older one gets, artificially extending

sleep is therefore frequently not required.

• Soporifics and sedatives induce sleep and their primary effect is at nightfall. But they do not improve sleep quality.

Coming off medications – but how?

• When coming off soporifics or sedatives that have been taken over an extended period, “rebound” effects resembling the original symptoms of anxiety or sleep disorders may be experienced for a period of several days.

• Abruptly coming off medications can cause withdrawal symptoms that are occasionally associated with severe health risks.

This is why you should never come off soporifics and sedatives abruptly without first consulting your doctor!

EN

Soporifics and sedatives

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substance trade name

ALPRAZOLAM

ALPRAZALPRAZOLAM EGXANAXXANAX RETARD

BROMAZEPAM BROMAZEPAM EGLEXOTAN

BROTIZOLAM LENDORMIN

CLOBAZAM FRISIUM

CLONAZEPAM RIVOTRIL

CLORAZEPAT TRANXENEUNI TRANXENE

CLOTIAZEPAM CLOZAN

DIAZEPAM VALIUM

FLUNITRAZEPAM FLUNITRAZEPAM EG

LOFLAZEPAT VICTAN

LOPRAZOLAM DORMONOCT

LORAZEPAMLORAZEPAM EGTEMESTATEMESTA EXPIDET

LORMETAZEPAM

LORAMETLORMETAZEPAM EGNOCTAMIDSTILAZE

Benzodiazepines and related substances available in Luxem-bourg (01May 2020)

MIDAZOLAM MIDAZOLAMBUCCOLAM

NITRAZEPAM MOGADON

NORDAZEPAM CALMDAYNORDAZ

OXAZEPAM OXAZEPAM EG

PRAZEPAM LYSANXIAPRAZEPAM EG

TRIAZOLAM HALCION

ZOLPIDEM STILNOCTZOLPIDEM EG

ZOPICLON IMOVANEZOPICLONE EG

EN

If you notice that a person is not well after having consumed legal or illegal drugs, act responsibly and look after that person. If in doubt, phone the emergency number and administer first aid.

EN

There is no such thing as a risk-free consumption of legal and illegal drugs!

When consuming any legal and illegal drug, the subjectively per-ceived effects depend on various factors (how consumed, dose, age, gender, environment, mood as well as experience and expectation).

Consumption of any drug can result in addiction.

The consumption of legal and illegal drugs is to be discouraged:

• In adolescence (physical and mental development)• When driving and during other activities requiring a “clear head”

(e.g. sport, when operating machinery…)• In the workplace / in school• During pregnancy and breastfeeding• If there are previous medical conditions

Particular care is also required:

• If the quality of the product is unknown and cannot be checked• In the event of combined use, e.g. alcohol and other drugs• When medication is taken at the same time

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