How to stop taking Orfidal?

Summary of precautions to take when stopping Orfidal (under medical supervision).

Benzodiazepines are widely consumed drugs in our societies, since they are a symptomatic relief of problems such as stress and insomnia. Taking a little pill seems to provide a quick solution to our problems.

Among these anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs we find Orfidal, a short-acting benzodiazepine that, on many occasions, becomes addictive and its effects seem to weaken.

There are many people who have a problem both with this drug and with benzodiazepines in general. here we are going to talk about how to stop taking Orfidal.. Of course, never failing to consult a psychiatrist.

How to stop taking Orfidal safely?

Before understanding how to stop taking Orfidal and why it is so important to do so, it is necessary to know a little more about this drug. Orfidal is a drug that is part of the benzodiazepines, since its main active ingredient is lorazepam..

Benzodiazepines are a family of psychotropic drugs that are usually prescribed for anxiety, insomnia and mood disorders, as well as being used as anesthetics in minor interventions, such as dentistry or endoscopy. They can also be used as muscle relaxants and can be used for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Orfidal, like most benzodiazepines, is usually a symptomatic and not a curative treatment.

Benzodiazepines can be divided into two types: short-acting and long-acting.. This classification is based on whether they last more or less than 12 hours. Orfidal is a short-acting drug, which is why it is used in the short-term treatment of states of anxiety and tension, whether or not associated with functional or organic disorders, including anxiety associated with depression.

It is also used as pre-anesthesia in minor surgical procedures, such as in dentistry and endoscopy, as well as to treat sleep disorders.

Why do you have to be careful with this drug?

Orfidal, along with the rest of the benzodiazepines, is a safe drug. However, as with any other drug, caution should be exercised and its use should be limited to what it its use should be limited to what has been prescribed by a doctor or psychiatrist.. Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can lead to problems, something that can be easily seen as these drugs are widely consumed in developed societies.

Among the unwanted effects of benzodiazepines we have poor memory (amnesias), cognitive impairment, emotional dullness, depression, increased anxiety, and physical problems.. However, in addition to these effects, the most serious problem associated with benzodiazepines in general and Orfidal in particular is the easy onset of tolerance to these drugs, accompanied by dependence.

Pharmacological tolerance refers to when the effect of a drug is significantly reduced after a few weeks or months of its use. That is, the therapeutic effects that the drug gave at the beginning of the treatment become weaker and weaker with the same dosage. This is why the consumption of Orfidal and other benzos for years does not make sense.

Directly related to tolerance is dependence, i.e., addiction.. Seeing that the effects of the drug are less and less with the same dose, patients increase it. They are also reluctant to give up Orfidal because they believe that, although it no longer has the same initial hypnotic effect, when they stop taking it they will suffer a lot of anxiety and insomnia.

In the specific case of Orfidal, the main side effects are disorders linked to the immune and lymphatic systems. This drug can cause a decrease of platelets in the blood, as well as pancytopenia, which is the reduction of blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets).

Another aspect for which caution should be exercised with Orfidal is related to its mechanism of action. This drug acts directly on the brain, making the passage of information between neurons much slower, since it promotes the action of the neurotransmitter GABA. This is why it can cause side effects such as weakness, drowsiness, muscle weakness, dizziness and decreased alertness. There is a relationship between suffering more accidents and injuries and taking Orfidal.

The sudden abandonment of Orfidal without proper medical control can lead to withdrawal syndrome.. The withdrawal of this drug, which is especially related to the degree of tolerance and dependence of the patient, gives as symptoms headache and nervousness.

That is why the consumption of any drug, and in this case of Orfidal and other benzodiazepines, should be done following the recommendations and criteria of the professional. The following measures should be adopted:

• Use the drug at the minimum effective dose and for the shortest possible time.
• If after the second week there is no improvement, reconsider the treatment.
• Regularly monitor its effectiveness and control the appearance of tolerance.
• If a long period of use is foreseen, use long half-life benzodiazepines.
• Neither Orfidal nor any benzodiazepine should be used in patients with a history of drug abuse.

Orfidal Precautions

Like any other drug, taking Orfidal involves a number of precautions. The main one is to know if you are allergic to any type of benzodiazepine, especially lorazepam.especially to lorazepam. This drug should also not be taken if you have autoimmune diseases, severe respiratory insufficiency, kidney problems and liver problems, as well as a history of addiction to benzodiazepines.

The consumption of Orfidal is not recommended if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant.It will be necessary to inform your psychiatrist in case you wish to start a treatment with this drug. It is also not recommended to prescribe Orfidal in girls, neither as an Antidepressant nor as a hypnotic. It is not at all recommended to take this drug together with alcohol, since it increases the sedative effects of this medication.

When and how to stop taking this drug?

How to stop taking Orfidal? As a general rule, benzodiazepines should be gradually reduced, especially if the treatment has lasted more than 6 months.. This is done with the intention of weaning the person off the drug, while preventing withdrawal syndrome. It is advisable to reduce the total daily dose by 10-25% every two weeks, although there are different forms of intervention in this regard and each person will need a different reduction.

Sometimes, in the case of benzodiazepines, post withdrawal syndrome can appear. This can occur after 8 weeks, with persistent insomnia and increased vulnerability to stress, anxiety and irritability. In this case, a doctor should be consulted to see what therapeutic options can be applied and whether it is really advisable to stop taking Orfidal at this time.

In some occasions, withdrawing the drug may involve benefits that are less than the negative consequences related to the withdrawal of the drug, either the appearance of the symptoms or the withdrawal of the drug.either the appearance of the symptoms for which you were taking the drug or the risk of withdrawal syndrome. This is why the physician should assess whether it is advisable to continue treatment in the long term, with its periodic evaluation and finding the optimal time for withdrawal.

As we have already mentioned, Orfidal and other benzodiazepines easily generate dependence and tolerance. This is why it is it is recommended to use them for short periods of time.. As they are symptomatic and not curative treatments for anxiety, insomnia and stress, they should be combined with psychotherapy to find out what generates discomfort in the person and how to solve it. Masking the symptom, in the long run, is not a good therapeutic option. It is necessary to work on the problem that generates it.

Bibliographical references

• Adán, A. and Prat, G. (2016). Psychopharmacology: mechanism of action, effect and therapeutic management. Barcelona, Spain. Marge Medica Books.