Lorazepam: Difference between revisions

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*'''[[Dissociatives]]''' - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it.

*'''[[Stimulants]]''' - It is dangerous to combine benzodiazepines with [[stimulant]]s due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the [[sedation|sedative]] effect of benzodiazepines, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of benzodiazepines will be significantly increased, leading to intensified [[disinhibition]] as well as [[benzodiazepine#Subjective effects|other effects]]. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of benzodiazepines per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.

===Overdose===

Benzodiazepine overdose may occur when a [[benzodiazepine]] is taken in extremely heavy quantities or concurrently with other depressants. This is particularly dangerous with other GABAergic depressants such as [[barbiturate |barbiturates]] and [[alcohol]] since they work in a similar fashion, but bind to distinct allosteric sites on the GABAA receptor, thus their effects potentiate one another. Benzodiazepines increase the frequency in which the chlorine ion pore opens on the GABAA receptor while barbiturates increase the duration in which they are open, meaning when both are consumed, the ion pore will open more frequently and stay open longer<ref>Barbiturates and benzodiazepine effects | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2471436</ref>. Benzodiazepine overdose is a medical emergency that may lead to a coma, permanent brain injury or death if not treated promptly and properly.

Symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose may include severe [[thought deceleration]], [[language suppression |slurred speech]], [[confusion]], [[delusions]], [[respiratory depression]], coma or death. Benzodiazepine overdoses may be treated effectively in a hospital environment, with generally favorable outcomes. Benzodiazepine overdoses are sometimes treated with [[flumazenil]], a GABAA antagonist<ref>Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8306565</ref>, however care is primarily supportive in nature.

==Legal issues==

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 *'''[[Dissociatives]]''' - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it.
 *'''[[Stimulants]]''' -  It is dangerous to combine benzodiazepines with [[stimulant]]s due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the [[sedation|sedative]] effect of benzodiazepines, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of benzodiazepines will be significantly increased, leading to intensified [[disinhibition]] as well as [[benzodiazepine#Subjective effects|other effects]]. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of benzodiazepines per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.
+===Overdose===
+Benzodiazepine overdose may occur when a [[benzodiazepine]] is taken in extremely heavy quantities or concurrently with other depressants. This is particularly dangerous with other GABAergic depressants such as [[barbiturate |barbiturates]] and [[alcohol]] since they work in a similar fashion, but bind to distinct allosteric sites on the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor, thus their effects potentiate one another. Benzodiazepines increase the frequency in which the chlorine ion pore opens on the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor while barbiturates increase the duration in which they are open, meaning when both are consumed, the ion pore will open more frequently and stay open longer<ref>Barbiturates and benzodiazepine effects | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2471436</ref>. Benzodiazepine overdose is a medical emergency that may lead to a coma, permanent brain injury or death if not treated promptly and properly.
+Symptoms of a benzodiazepine overdose may include severe [[thought deceleration]], [[language suppression |slurred speech]], [[confusion]], [[delusions]], [[respiratory depression]], coma or death. Benzodiazepine overdoses may be treated effectively in a hospital environment, with generally favorable outcomes. Benzodiazepine overdoses are sometimes treated with [[flumazenil]], a GABA<sub>A</sub> antagonist<ref>Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8306565</ref>, however care is primarily supportive in nature.
 ==Legal issues==