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What Are the Signs of a Benzodiazepine Overdose?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Signs of a benzodiazepine overdose can include unusual sedation along with paradoxical symptoms like anxiety and agitation. These medications must be taken at high doses to cause symptoms and overdoses on pure benzodiazepines are rarely fatal, although they still require medical treatment. Of more concern may be cases where patients take these drugs along with alcohol, opioids, and other central nervous system depressants. The combination of drugs can be enough to cause severe complications, including coma and death.

Patients are typically prescribed benzodiazepines to treat symptoms like anxiety and restlessness, and they are designed for short term use because they can cause dependency. Patients can develop a benzodiazepine overdose by accident if they take too much medication, or on purpose because they are abusing the drugs or attempting suicide. Symptoms can take as long as four hours to onset as the drugs work their way through the body and begin binding to specific neurotransmitter receptors.

Benzodiazepine is designed to be a short-term solution for anxiety or restlessness.
Benzodiazepine is designed to be a short-term solution for anxiety or restlessness.

Sedation in association with a benzodiazepine overdose can make someone sleepy and sluggish. The patient may also have slurred speech and an unsteady gait, along with confusion and poor balance. These medications can also slow the respiration and heart rate, a cause for concern because the patient might not get enough oxygen. Some overdoses can cause agitation and anxiety, and the patient may become combative or aggressive. Nausea and vomiting can also occur, and there is a risk of aspirating vomit because the patient is not fully alert.

A person who commits suicide may overdose on Xanax or another benzodiazepine because of the drugs' sedating effects.
A person who commits suicide may overdose on Xanax or another benzodiazepine because of the drugs' sedating effects.

Signs of a benzodiazepine overdose are indicators to take a patient to a hospital for treatment. It is helpful to bring along any prescriptions the patient uses, as these may be useful for medical providers at the hospital. If the patient has been drinking or using other drugs, including recreational drugs and prescriptions belonging to someone else, this information is important to provide. Concerns about a serious drug interaction are an issue if the patient was combining benzodiazepines and other medications, and this may change the treatment approach.

Benzodiazepines should never be combined with alcohol.
Benzodiazepines should never be combined with alcohol.

First-line treatment for benzodiazepine overdose is usually supportive care, including ventilation if necessary to help the patient breathe. Fluids may be provided to stabilize the patient and hospitalization can be recommended to allow for monitoring. Especially if the overdose is connected with depression and suicidal thoughts, a mental health evaluation may be advised. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, can be used in a patient who doesn’t have a history of benzodiazepine dependence; however, it can be dangerous and may provoke seizures, so it usually not recommended.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Benzodiazepine is designed to be a short-term solution for anxiety or restlessness.
      By: goshiva
      Benzodiazepine is designed to be a short-term solution for anxiety or restlessness.
    • A person who commits suicide may overdose on Xanax or another benzodiazepine because of the drugs' sedating effects.
      By: dragon_fang
      A person who commits suicide may overdose on Xanax or another benzodiazepine because of the drugs' sedating effects.
    • Benzodiazepines should never be combined with alcohol.
      By: lacamerachiara
      Benzodiazepines should never be combined with alcohol.
    • Taking benzodiazepines and alcohol together can result in a life-threatening condition.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Taking benzodiazepines and alcohol together can result in a life-threatening condition.
    • People who take Xanax or any other benzodiazepine should not discontinue use without first consulting a doctor.
      By: LoloStock
      People who take Xanax or any other benzodiazepine should not discontinue use without first consulting a doctor.
    • A benzodiazepine overdose can have a sedative effect, making someone appear sleepy and sluggish.
      By: Alliance
      A benzodiazepine overdose can have a sedative effect, making someone appear sleepy and sluggish.