benzodiazepines

Clinics are selling an unproven therapy for addiction.

Health & Safety

Addiction Clinics Market Unproven Infusion Treatments To Desperate Patients

1:44pm August 22, 2019

by Jake Harper

Some addiction treatment clinics offer IV infusions of a mix of supplements — including something known as NAD. The treatment isn't proven to work and is not FDA-approved for addiction.

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Steep Climb In Benzodiazepine Prescribing By Primary Care Doctors

6:40pm January 25, 2019

by Rhitu Chatterjee

U.S. prescriptions for Valium, Ativan and other benzodiazepines have shot up since 2003, statistics show, especially for chronic pain. Roughly half those prescriptions are from primary care providers.

Risk from opioids get a lot of attention. But benzodiazepines, like Valium and Xanax, pose problems, too, says John Schumann, an internal medicine doctor.

Benzodiazepines: America's 'Other Prescription Drug Problem'

3:26pm April 26, 2018

by John Henning Schumann

Drugs like Valium, Xanax and Ativan are more popular than ever. Frequently used to treat anxiety, the medicines can be risky, especially when mixed with alcohol or opioids.

While benzodiazepines and SSRI antidepressants are not risk-free, says Yale psychiatrist Kimberly Yonkers, "it should be reassuring that we're not seeing a huge magnitude of an effect here" on pregnancy.

Xanax Or Zoloft For Moms-To-Be: A New Study Assesses Safety

8:34am September 18, 2017

by Allison Aubrey

Is it OK to take antidepressants or anxiety medicine during pregnancy? Recent research suggests women who need treatment can take these drugs. Doctors recommend the lowest effective dose.

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Diazepam, also known as Valium, is used to treat anxiety and insomnia. But when combined with opioids, it can suppress breathing and cause death.

Health & Safety

FDA Boosts Warning On Danger Of Combining Opioids And Anxiety Meds

3:16pm August 31, 2016

by Joe Neel

Doctors increasingly prescribe opioid painkillers with benzodiazepines — medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia. That combination is causing a spike in overdoses and deaths, the FDA warns.

Xanax and Valium, prescribed to treat anxiety, mood disorders and insomnia, can be deadly when mixed with other sedatives.

Risks Of Popular Anxiety Drugs Often Overshadowed

6:40pm April 15, 2014

by Susan Sharon

Benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S. Patients and addicts often mix them with prescription painkillers — sometimes to deadly effect.

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