Taking medications is often necessary to manage various health conditions, but it’s crucial to be aware of potential drug interactions, especially when combining different types of substances. One particularly dangerous combination involves opioids and benzodiazepines (often referred to as “benzos”). These are central nervous system depressants, and when taken together, they can significantly increase the risk of life-threatening overdose. This article will explore Examples Of Benzos, explain why this combination is so risky, and highlight the importance of understanding these interactions.
Benzodiazepines are a class of prescription sedatives primarily used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which slows down brain activity, producing a calming effect. While effective for their prescribed uses, benzos can be dangerous, especially when misused or combined with other depressants like opioids.
Common Examples of Benzodiazepines (“Benzos”)
It’s important to recognize common examples of benzos to understand potential risks and interactions. Here are some of the most frequently prescribed benzodiazepines:
- Diazepam (Valium): A long-acting benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
- Alprazolam (Xanax): A short-acting benzodiazepine primarily prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders.
- Clonazepam (Klonopin): A long-acting benzodiazepine used to treat seizures and panic disorder.
- Lorazepam (Ativan): An intermediate-acting benzodiazepine used for anxiety and agitation, often in hospital settings.
- Temazepam (Restoril): A short-acting benzodiazepine mainly used for insomnia.
These are just a few examples, and there are other benzodiazepines available. They come in various forms and dosages, and are prescribed based on individual patient needs. It’s crucial to only use benzodiazepines as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
The Danger of Combining Benzos and Opioids
Alt text: Line graph showing national overdose deaths involving any opioid with and without benzodiazepine involvement from 2000 to 2020. Deaths involving both substances are significantly increasing.
Both opioids and benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. Opioids, often prescribed for pain relief, reduce pain signals but also slow down breathing. When benzodiazepines are combined with opioids, this respiratory depression is intensified. This means the body’s drive to breathe can become dangerously weak, leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen), brain damage, and ultimately, fatal overdose.
Statistics highlight the severity of this issue. Reports indicate that a significant percentage of opioid overdose deaths also involve benzodiazepines. This co-involvement dramatically increases the risk of a fatal outcome compared to using either substance alone. Research consistently shows that individuals using both opioids and benzodiazepines are at a much higher risk of emergency room visits, hospitalizations for drug-related emergencies, and death from overdose.
For instance, studies have revealed that the overdose death rate for patients prescribed both opioids and benzodiazepines can be up to ten times higher than for those only prescribed opioids. This starkly illustrates the amplified danger of this drug combination. Even veterans with opioid prescriptions face a heightened risk of overdose death if they are also prescribed benzodiazepines, with the risk increasing with higher benzo dosages.
Health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidelines emphasizing extreme caution when prescribing benzodiazepines alongside opioids. They recommend that healthcare providers carefully weigh the benefits against the very real risks. Both drug classes now carry “boxed warnings” from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on their labels, the most serious type of warning, alerting patients and prescribers to the potentially fatal dangers of using them together.
Protecting Yourself and Seeking Guidance
If you are prescribed either opioids or benzodiazepines, or both, it is vital to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider. Disclose all medications and substances you are using, including alcohol and any over-the-counter drugs. Your healthcare team can help you understand the risks, explore alternative treatments if possible, and develop strategies to minimize harm if co-prescription is deemed necessary.
Understanding the examples of benzos and the serious risks associated with combining them with opioids is crucial for patient safety. Always prioritize open communication with your healthcare providers and adhere strictly to prescribed medication regimens to protect your health and well-being.
References
- [1] Taking opioids in combination with other central nervous system depressants—like benzodiazepines, alcohol, or xylazine—increases the risk of life-threatening overdose.
- [2] Researchers have also found benzodiazepines in the illicit opioid supply in some areas, which may mean that people are taking benzodiazepines in combination with illicit opioids knowingly or unknowingly.
- [3] In 2021, nearly 14% of overdose deaths involving opioids also involved benzodiazepines
- [4] Research shows that people who use opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently are at higher risk of visiting the emergency department
- [5] Research shows that people who use opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently are at higher risk of being admitted to a hospital for a drug-related emergency
- [6] For example, a cohort study in North Carolina found that the overdose death rate among patients receiving both types of medications was 10 times higher than among those only receiving opioids.
- [7] A study among U.S. veterans with an opioid prescription found that receiving a benzodiazepine prescription was associated with increased risk of drug overdose death in a dose-dependent manner.
- [8] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain recommends that clinicians use particular caution when prescribing benzodiazepines concurrently with opioids and consider whether benefits outweigh risks.
