What is the danger of an overdose with benzodiazepines?

Acute overdose is characterised by excessive sedation with impaired mental status and diminished postural stability and reflexes. Although benzodiazepines are relatively safe medications, acute overdose may induce respiratory depression resulting in coma and even death.

What do alcohol and benzodiazepines have in common?

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants like alcohol, and they have their major mechanism of action on the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.

How many benzodiazepines cause death?

Benzodiazepine ‘shadow epidemic’ The study found that the overdose death rate related to benzodiazepines more than quadrupled between 1999 and 2010, from 0.58 per 100,000 adults to 3.07 per 100,000 adults.

Why do benzodiazepines cause respiratory depression?

benzodiazepines (and benzodiazepine-like drugs) and opioid medicines (opioids) can both cause respiratory depression; when used together, additive effects on the central nervous system increase the risks of sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

How do you reverse benzodiazepine overdose?

Medication Summary Flumazenil is a selective competitive antagonist of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor and is the only available specific antidote for benzodiazepine (BZD) toxicity. It will reverse the effects of BZDs but must be used with caution.

How do people overdose alcohol?

An alcohol overdose happens when you drink more alcohol than your body can safely process: The stomach and small intestine quickly absorb the alcohol, which enters the bloodstream at a rapid rate. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the quantity that enters your bloodstream.

What might happen when alcohol is combined with another drug?

You’ve probably seen this warning on medicines you’ve taken. The danger is real. Mixing alcohol with certain medications can cause nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. It also can put you at risk for internal bleeding, heart problems, and difficulties in breathing.

What is benzodiazepine poisoning?

Patients with benzodiazepine toxicity will primarily present with central nervous system depression ranging from mild drowsiness to a coma-like, stuporous state. The classic presentation of an isolated benzodiazepine overdose consists of CNS depression with normal vital signs.