Orfidal: uses and side effects of this drug

This type of benzodiazepine is used for some anxiety problems.

Anxiety is, together with depression, one of the most frequent psychological problems worldwide. worldwide. Our lifestyle can provoke a deep activation and reaction of both mind and body. This anxiety can be a mere temporary nuisance for some, but others may find themselves facing a disabling obstacle that they are unable to fight.

Fortunately there are several therapies to help manage it and reduce its affectation, both at psychotherapy and pharmacological level. Among the latter we can find one of the most widely known anxiolytic drugs among the general population: Orfidal.

Throughout this article we will see what this drug is, how it works and what it is prescribed for, as well as its possible side effects and contraindications.

What is Orfidal?

Orfidal is one of the most popular and widely used psychotropic drugs, which is part of the group of drugs with anxiolytic effect. is part of the group of drugs with psychoactive effect known as anxiolytics, and within these of the benzodiazepines.within the group of benzodiazepines. The main active ingredient of this drug is Lorazepam: Orfidal is actually one of the trade names of this substance.

As a benzodiazepine, Orfidal is a drug mainly prescribed as an anxiolytic and is also considered a sedative-hypnotic, as well as having muscle relaxation and Anticonvulsant effects. It is a highly effective drug, although it also has some addictive potential and may generate some side effects.

This drug is one of the is one of the benzodiazepines with a half-life, which means that it remains in the body for a period of between twelve and twenty-four hours.which means that it remains in the body for a period of between twelve and twenty-four hours and its effects remain in force for a relatively long time throughout the day.

Mechanism of action

The functioning of Orfidal, whose active ingredient is, as mentioned above, Lorazepam, is based mainly on a mechanism of action in which the drug acts as an indirect agonist of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptors.

In other words, Orfidal acts at neuronal level favoring and increasing the activity of one of the brain neurotransmitters that plays a major role in inhibiting or decreasing neuronal activation, GABA. It is the increase of the latter that decreases clinical anxiety and generates relaxation and sedation effects. The effect is especially relevant in the limbic system, the main area of the brain that governs the emotional sphere, as well as in different regions of the cortexthe main area of the brain that governs the emotional sphere, as well as different regions of the cortex which allow the processing of information and reasoning.

The usefulness of this drug is enormous and presents great effectiveness, with the advantage that it does not usually generate excessively disabling side effects and allows us to go on with our daily life normally.

Therapeutic indications: in which disorders is it used?

The main indication of Orfidal or any drug with the same active ingredient is basically the treatment of short-term anxiety, regardless of whether or not there is an anxiety disorder or if we are facing a reaction to a specific stimulus or situation. However, this drug should only be used should only be used in situations of great stress and anguish (with medical indication), since it (with medical indication), since it also has its disadvantages and risks.

In addition to this, as a sedative-hypnotic it is also particularly useful when performing a pharmacological treatment for insomnia. when carrying out a pharmacological treatment for insomnia or for other sleep disturbances in which it appears by default. in which this one appears by default.

It is also often used during depressive disorders, since sleep problems and the comorbid appearance of anxious symptoms are frequent in them, and also in other disorders in which an intense level of emotionality appears. It is also used in people with problems derived from the abstinence of substances such as alcohol.

It is also not uncommon for it to be used in the treatment of some organic diseases linked to anxious problems, such as irritable colon or ulcers, or even to treat problems such as nausea in the treatment with chemotherapy for cancer. Also, although it is not an indication as such, sometimes used for the treatment of epilepsy due to its anticonvulsant properties. due to its anticonvulsant properties.

Side effects.

Although highly prescribed and very useful, the truth is that the consumption of Orfidal is not free of risks or the occurrence of possible undesirable side effects. Likewise, there are specific sectors of the population that should not take it, as it is contraindicated.

The main and most notorious side effects are the existence of sedation. Although, depending on the case and the situation, it may be useful, it is possible that the sedative action of the drug may make it difficult to maintain wakefulness during the day and decrease performance and productivity in various areas, in addition to a feeling of fatigue and listlessness. and decreases performance and productivity in various areas, as well as a feeling of fatigue and listlessness. Another possible side effect is the appearance of a state of affective dullness, and a slight feeling of drowning.

It is possible that there may appear loss of muscle tone, confusion or slowing down.. In addition, it is not uncommon for dizziness or difficulties in the coordination of movements and speech to appear. Although it is sometimes used in depressions with anxious characteristics, the truth is that it can also lead to the appearance of depressive symptomatology.

It is not uncommon for occasional memory problems to appear, often at the level of difficulties in learning new things or remembering a specific event, since it also has amnesic properties. it can also generate an alteration at the sexual level, causing a decrease in libido in both sexes or erectile in both sexes or erection problems in men. Dizziness and digestive problems and nausea are also possible.

Less frequent but also possible are hypersensitivity reactions and allergies, decreased body temperature, hypotension, hyponatremia (lack of sodium) and constipation. Paradoxical reactions can sometimes occur, i.e. reactions contrary to what the drug would generally do: anxiety, nervousness, panic, agitation, muscle tension, emotional lability and irritability.

In addition, life-threatening conditions such as thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis, in which there is a decrease of platelets and white and/or red blood cells in the blood (thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis), may also occur.

Contraindications

Orfidal is contraindicated in people with cardiac problems, bradycardias and depressions or cardiorespiratory insufficiencies.It is also contraindicated in people with hepatic insufficiency, since its action favors the appearance of this type of problems. Also people with hepatic insufficiency.

Likewise, people with hypoxia or lack of oxygen should also avoid its use. It should also be avoided by pregnant womenshould also be avoided by pregnant women, at least during the first trimester. It should also not be consumed by children or nursing mothers, since it facilitates the acquisition of dependence and withdrawal syndromes by children to this drug. Do not drive or use heavy machinery after its consumption due to sedation.

Likewise, the combination with alcohol and other drugs should be avoided, and in case of using another type of medication, it will be necessary to inform the physician due to the possible interaction between drugs and their possible effects.

Finally, it should be taken into account that Lorazepam is a substance that, like the rest of benzodiazepines, has an addictive potential. has addictive potentialTherefore, its use should be extremely regulated by a professional and should not be prolonged beyond twelve weeks. Likewise, the cessation of its consumption should be paused and carried out gradually, never all at once, due to the risk of the appearance of withdrawal syndromes.

Bibliographic references:

• Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products (2018). PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER. ORFIDAL 1 MG TABLETS. LORAZEPAM. [Online]. Available at: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/49796/P_49796.html.
• Gómez, M. (2012). Psicobiología. Manual CEDE de Preparación PIR.12. CEDE: Madrid.
• Salazar, M.; Peralta, C.; Pastor, J. (2011). Manual de Psicofarmacología. Madrid, Editorial Médica Panamericana.
• Vidal Vademecum Spain (2015). Orfidal Comp. 1 mg. Vademecum [Online]. Available at: https://www.vademecum.es/medicamento-orfidal_prospecto_49796.