What is Bromazepam?
Bromazepam is an anxiolytic drug (tranquilizer), a benzodiazepine derivative. It has anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and central myorelaxant effects. The drug reduces emotional tension, anxiety, feelings of anxiety and fear.
Indications
Bromazepam is prescribed for the following conditions:
- Neuroses and Psychopathy (accompanied by phobias, anxiety, emotional tension, anxiety)
- Insomnia (with neurosis and anxiety)
- Functional psychosomatic disorders of the cardiovascular system (pseudo-stenocardia, vasospastic angina, cardialgia, arterial hypertension of emotional genesis)
- Functional psychosomatic disorders of the respiratory system (hyperventilation, difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath)
- Functional psychosomatic disorders of the digestive system (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Psychosomatic disorders of the urinary and sexual system (frequent urination, dysmenorrhea, menstrual and menstrual disorders)
- Psychogenic headache
- Psychogenic dermatosis (diseases accompanied by itching, irritability)
- Used as a means for premedication in anesthesiology
When taking Bromazepam (even in therapeutic doses), physical and mental dependence may develop. The risk of addiction increases in patients with a history of drug and alcohol dependence.
Bromazepam vs. Clonazepam
Which drug to choose depends on the disease and the duration of treatment? A comparison is presented in the table.
| Name | Bromazepam | Clonazepam |
| Indications | Neuroses and psychopathy (accompanied by phobias, anxiety, emotional tension, restlessness), insomnia (in neuroses and fear). Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaud syndrome, nodding seizures, atonic seizures. | Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaud syndrome, nodding seizures, atonic seizures. |
| Side effects | Sleepiness, impaired attention and concentration, decreased coordination, impaired liver and kidney function, in rare cases, agitation, hallucinations, insomnia. | Dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation or diarrhea, liver dysfunction, increased liver transaminase activity, jaundice. |
| Form | 1.5 mg, 3 and 6 mg tablets. | Duration of treatment |
| Duration of treatment | No more than 8-12 weeks | 2-4 weeks |
Despite the similarity of action, the drugs with different active ingredients in the composition. Therefore, be sure to consult with your doctor. It is possible that some of them may not be suitable for your treatment.
Bromazepam elimination half-life
The half-life of Bromazepam β the time during which the concentration of the drug in the body is reduced by 50% β is 20.5 hours.
Bromazepam vs Xanax
Bromazepam has similar efficacy to Xanax. The two drugs are also similar in bioavailability, which is the amount of medication that reaches the site of action in the body. The higher the bioavailability, the less loss there will be in absorption and use by the body.
| Name | Bromazepam | Xanax |
| Side Effects | Suppression of emotions, weakness, ataxia, limb tremors, muscle weakness, anterograde amnesia (with conduct disorder), depression, anxiety, irritability. | Headache, dizziness, sleep disturbance, apathy, decreased concentration, impaired memory, insomnia. Gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, liver disorders. |
| Addiction | Benzodiazepines can be addictive. Reducing the dose or abruptly stopping this medication can cause withdrawal syndrome. | Xanax is addictive. It also has external manifestations. The skin may become red and rash-like. The face swells, becomes puffy, and other parts of the body may also swell, including the throat and tongue. Speech in this case becomes difficult, the voice changes. |
| Contraindications | Patients who are elderly, weakened patients, as well as patients with impaired liver function should be prescribed lower doses. Pregnancy and lactation: Contraindicated in pregnancy and during breast-feeding. | Glaucoma, abuse of alcohol, opioid analgesics, sleeping pills and psychotropic drugs. Chronic respiratory diseases. Diseases of the liver and kidneys. |
| Indications | Anxiety and agitation in mental diseases, including affective disorders, schizophrenia (as part of combination therapy). | Anxiety, neuroses, sleep disorders, irritability. |
Bromazepam and Xanax should only be used short term because of the risk of addiction and dependence. Use the drug strictly as prescribed by your doctor and following all recommendations listed on the prescription.
Bromazepam vs. Alprazolam for sleep
Bromazepam and Alprazolam have a lot in common. They work in the same way, can cause addiction, and can cause similar side effects if used improperly. Both drugs have a sedative effect.
Bromazepam 6 mg has a slower action and is eliminated from the body over a longer period of time than Lorazepam. This means that the effects of Bromazepam last longer than those of Alprazolam. This feature makes it possible to take Bromazepam less frequently and thereby reducing the toxic effects of the anxiolytic.
The average half-life of Alprazolam is 12-15 hours. Bromazepam is excreted for an average of 18-21 hours.
Bromazepam vs. Lorazepam
The differences and similarities between the drugs are shown in the table.
| Name | Bromazepam | Lorazepam |
| Indications | In neuroses; For psychopathy with anxiety, agitation, nervous tension, irritability; For functional psychosomatic disorders; In chronic alcoholism (withdrawal syndrome). | Lorazepam is used for short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia due to anxiety disorder. |
| Half-life elimination period | 20.5 hours | 16 hours |
| Side Effects | Headaches, dizziness, weakness, impaired coordination, decreased memory and attention. Gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth. Arterial hypotension, liver, and kidney disorders. | Weakness, apathy, decreased memory, headache, dizziness, depression, ataxia, sleep disorders. In rare cases, skin rashes. |
| Duration of treatment | 8-12 weeks | Up to 4 weeks |
Due to a longer half-life, Bromazepam's effects are longer, so you need to take an additional tablet less often.
Does Bromazepam have a sleeping effect?
Lexotan (Bromazepam) has a hypnotic effect that promotes fast falling asleep, while increasing the duration of sleep itself, reducing the number of nighttime awakenings. The mechanism of the hypnotic effect is inhibition of the reticular formation cells of the brain stem.
Dosage
Dosage regimen is established strictly on an individual basis: 1.5-3 mg 2-3 times a day; if necessary (in hospital) the dose is increased to 6-12 mg 2-3 times a day. For children older than 1 year (if necessary) the dose is adjusted individually depending on body weight. The dose should be reduced for elderly patients, weakened patients and patients with liver dysfunction. The total duration of treatment with 3 mg/6 mg Bromazepam is no more than 8-12 weeks, including a period of gradual dose reduction.
Side effects
Consult a physician before use because the drug has side effects:
- Neurological disorders: hallucinations, lethargy, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, headache.
- Digestive disorders: dry mouth, jaundice, epigastric pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation.
- Respiratory disorders: chest pain, laryngospasm.
- Cardiovascular disorders: bradycardia, arterial hypotension.
- Genitourinary disorders: urinary retention, menstrual disorders, decreased libido.
- Allergic reactions: redness, itching, exanthema.
- Other effects: rare β weight loss.
Also, the drug is contraindicated in the first trimester of pregnancy, during breastfeeding. Administration in the second and third trimesters is possible (under strict indications).
