Bromazepam

Benjamin Clanner-Engelshofen is a freelance writer in the medical department. He studied biochemistry and pharmacy in Munich and Cambridge / Boston (USA) and noticed early on that he particularly enjoyed the interface between medicine and science. That is why he went on to study human medicine.

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The active ingredient bromazepam is an anxiety reliever, sedative and sleep aid from the benzodiazepine class. Although these are very effective, they can quickly lead to dependence, which is why they should only be used for a very short time.Here you can read everything interesting about bromazepam, effects and use.

This is how bromazepam works

The nerve cells of the human brain communicate by means of messenger substances (neurotransmitters) that are released by one nerve cell and perceived by the next nerve cell via certain docking points (receptors). This creates very complex circuits, as a nerve cell is sometimes in contact with thousands of others and there are also different neurotransmitters: Some excite the following nerve cell and thereby transmit a signal, others inhibit such signal transmission (inhibitory neurotransmitters). For example, adrenaline activates the nervous system and promotes motivation, whereas GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) has a dampening effect.

Benzodiazepines such as bromazepam attack the receptors for GABA and make the receptor more sensitive to the neurotransmitter. Smaller GABA levels lead to dampening more quickly, or constant GABA levels cause greater dampening of the nervous system. As a result, bromazepam has a calming, anxiety-relieving and sleep-promoting effect.

Bromazepam uptake and breakdown

After ingestion, about 85 percent of bromazepam is absorbed in the intestine and reaches its highest blood level after about two hours. The active ingredient is broken down in the liver and half of it is excreted after about 15 hours, the breakdown products after about 28 hours. This so-called "half-life" can increase with age - excretion is then slowed down.

When is bromazepam used?

The active ingredient bromazepam is used to relieve the symptoms of acute and chronic states of excitement, tension and anxiety. Due to the long duration of action, its use as a sleep aid is only justified if a calming effect is desired during the day.

The treatment should be as short as possible and not last longer than four weeks, as bromazepam leads to dependence very quickly.

This is how bromazepam is used

The active ingredient bromazepam is taken in the form of tablets. Usually, treatment is started with a bromazepam dose of three milligrams per day as a single dose in the evening. In the case of particularly serious illnesses, the dose can be increased to up to twelve milligrams of bromazepam daily, with the dose then being divided into several individual doses over the day.

What side effects does bromazepam have?

Very often (affecting more than one in ten people) side effects such as depression, memory loss, tiredness, drowsiness, drowsiness, headache, difficulty concentrating, decreased reactions, fatigue and overhanging effects can occur.

Every hundredth to one thousandth patient has bromazepam side effects such as increased appetite, increased or decreased sexual desire, dizziness, movement coordination disorders, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, inadequate breathing (respiratory depression), muscle weakness and a drop in blood pressure.

Furthermore, there is a risk of “paradoxical” reactions occurring after taking bromazepam: After taking bromazepam, the patient shows agitated and aggressive behavior, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and sleep disorders.

What should be considered when taking bromazepam?

There is an increased risk of falls after taking bromazepam, especially in the elderly. In addition, there is an increased risk of accidents when operating heavy machinery and driving vehicles.

The use of bromazepam in children and adolescents is unusual and may only be ordered after the doctor has carefully weighed the benefits and risks. The dose must be adapted to the lower body weight.

In elderly patients and patients with impaired liver function, the dose of bromazepam must be reduced if necessary. Benzodiazepines must not be used in severe liver dysfunction.

Interactions

The simultaneous ingestion of other substances that act in the central nervous system can lead to increased respiratory suppression and calming. These include active ingredients against schizophrenia and psychoses, sedatives, sleeping pills, antidepressants, anesthetics, anxiety relievers, agents against seizures, allergy agents (antiallergics) and especially alcohol.

Other drugs that are broken down by the same liver enzyme systems (cytochrome P450) as bromazepam can delay its breakdown. This strengthens and extends the bromazepam effect. Such active ingredients are, for example, cimetidine and omeprazole, which are used for acid regurgitation, as well as many other substances. Possible interactions with other medications should therefore be clarified beforehand with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

No data are available on use in pregnant women. Animal experiments have shown possible harm to the child, which is why bromazepam should not be used during pregnancy or only if absolutely necessary. If bromazepam is taken shortly before birth, the child usually shows symptoms of benzodiazepine poisoning (“floppy infant syndrome”) after birth. This is characterized by decreased muscle tension, low blood pressure, poor drinking, low body temperature and very weak breathing.

Bromazepam is very likely to pass into breast milk. Breastfeeding should therefore not take the active ingredient. If ingestion is absolutely necessary, breastfeeding must be carried out beforehand so as not to endanger the child.

How to get bromazepam medication

Due to the risk of abuse, benzodiazepines such as bromazepam are subject to the Narcotics Act, but usually only from a certain dosage. Bromazepam supplements up to single doses of six milligrams are available with a normal drug prescription; on the other hand, you need a prescription for narcotics for more dosed preparations. Abroad, benzodiazepines such as bromazepam mostly fall under the Narcotics Act and may therefore not be imported without a doctor's prescription or confirmation from the doctor.

Since when is bromazepam known?

The benzodiazepine bromazepam was patented by the pharmaceutical company Roche in 1963 and went through clinical development in the 1970s. In 1977 it was introduced on the German pharmaceutical market. Generics with the active ingredient bromazepam are now available.

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