Etizolam
Description
Etizolam is an effective anti-anxiety medicine that is similar to benzodiazepine class of medicines. It is used for the management of anxiety and short-term treatment of insomnia (sleeplessness).
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Etizolam
- Drowsiness
- Sleepiness
- Muscle weakness
- Vertigo
- Headache
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Change in libido
- Uncontrolled shaking of arms or legs
- Visual disturbances
- Urinary retention/incontinence
- Stomach discomfort and pain
- Excessive salivation
- Memory problems
Uses of Etizolam
What is it prescribed for?
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 30-60 minutes of oral administration.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6-8 hours which can extend further in case of a long and uninterrupted sleep after consumption.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid the uptake of alcohol while using this medicine. Do not perform physical activities requiring mental alertness after taking this medicine. Contact your doctor and seek advice if side effects are experienced.
- Is it habit forming?This medicine possesses a moderate habit-forming potential.
- Usage in pregnancy?Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative after assessing the condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Use of this medicine in breastfeeding women is not recommended. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative after assessing the condition.
Myasthenia gravis
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a neuromuscular condition where the muscles tire rapidly, causing severe weakness and other complications.
Narrow angle glaucoma
This medicine is not recommended for use if you suffer from narrow angle glaucoma.
Porphyria
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have this rare disease of the blood.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to Etizolam or any other ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Use of this medicine in pregnant women is not recommended. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative after assessing the condition.
Breast-feeding
Use of this medicine in breastfeeding women is not recommended. Your doctor will prescribe a safer alternative after assessing the condition.
General warnings
Suicidal thoughts and behaviour
Use of this medicine can cause suicidal thoughts and inclinations and hence it should be given with extreme caution in patients having mental problems like depression, phobias, chronic psychoses etc.
Impairment of liver/kidney function
This medicine should be used with caution if you have an impairment of normal liver or kidney function. Appropriate dose adjustments and monitoring of liver/kidney function during treatment are recommended.
Alcohol/drug addiction
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or recreational drug abuse. The risk of severe adverse effects is significantly high in such cases.
Drowsiness and confusion
Use of this medicine may cause drowsiness, confusion, impairment of thoughts and perception etc. It is advised to refrain from activities that require a high level of mental alertness after taking this medicine.
Fall in blood pressure
Use of this medicine in high doses can cause a fall in blood pressure leading to headaches, fainting etc. It should be used with caution in patients having a higher/lower blood pressure than normal.
Use in the elderly
This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly and bedridden patients as the risk of adverse effects are higher than normal patients.
Personality disorder
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having personality disorders or Organic brain syndrome.
Withdrawal symptoms
The use of this medicine should not be stopped abruptly as you are likely to experience symptoms like convulsions, behavioral disorder, tremor, and anxiety. A gradual reduction in the dose quantity is advised.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. The missed dose can be skipped if it is almost the time for the next scheduled dose. Try not to miss any dose as the quantity and timings are very specific and non-adherence could cause some additional side effects.
Overdose
Report any incidence of overdose to the doctor immediately as the symptoms can be fatal, especially if it is consumed by a child or a person using it without prescription. Symptoms of overdose may include a slower rate of breathing, decreased heartbeat rate, severe drowsiness and fainting.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Use of alcohol while taking this medicine may cause severe nervous system depression resulting in excessive drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, impairment of thoughts and perception.
Instructions
Avoid the uptake of alcohol while using this medicine. Do not perform physical activities requiring mental alertness after taking this medicine. Contact your doctor and seek advice if side effects are experienced.
Interaction with Medicine
Cetirizine
Cisapride
Clozapine
Ketoconazole
Metoclopramide
Morphine
Disulfiram
Clonidine
Disease interactions
Glaucoma
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients suffering from glaucoma. Appropriate tests should be performed to rule out narrow-angle glaucoma before starting the treatment course with this medicine.
Pulmonary insufficiency
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients having a condition where sufficient amount of blood is not reaching the lungs from the heart. The risk of severe to fatal breathing complications is high if this medicine is used in such patients.
Liver disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an impairment of normal liver function. Appropriate dose adjustments and monitoring of liver enzyme levels are recommended. An alternate medicine should be considered if the impairment is severe.
Food interactions
Avoid the consumption of grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Etizolam as instructed by the doctor. Your dose is likely to be modified by the doctor during the course of treatment and hence all changes should be properly followed. Do not consume this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed. You are likely to experience some side effects whenever there is a change in dose quantity or timings. The usage should be stopped gradually over time as instructed.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by binding to certain specific receptors in the brain causing relaxation and sleepiness.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Benzodiazepine derivatives, Thienodiazepine anxiolytics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 13 June 2017]. Available from:
Etizolam - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 13 June 2017]. Available from:
Etizolam | C17H15ClN4S - PubChem [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 13 June 2017]. Available from:
Etizolam: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution | CIMS India [Internet]. Mims.com. 2017 [cited 13 June 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Jul 2017
Disclaimer
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