Drugs Q & A

Is Bensedin The Same As Diazepam?

Bensedin is a brand of 10mg diazepam produced by Galenika a.d., a Serbian pharmaceutical company with headquarters in Zemun, Belgrade. Bensedin diazepam is popular in many countries especially the UK where it has become a major drug of abuse.  Diazepam is one of the 5 most prescribed benzodiazepines. In fact, approximately 15 million prescriptions were written for diazepam in 2011, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) . It is also one of the most commonly found benzos on the illicit market.

Diazepam is used to treat episodes of increased seizures (such as cluster or breakthrough seizures) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. This product is only recommended for short-term treatment of seizure attacks. It is not for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures. Uncontrolled seizures can turn into serious (possibly fatal) seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus).

Diazepam is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age because of the risk of serious side effects.

How it works

Bensedin Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. A class of drugs refers to medications that work similarly. They have a similar chemical structure and are often used to treat similar conditions. Diazepam increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a special chemical that can send signals throughout your nervous system. If you don’t have enough GABA, your body may be in an excited state and cause you to have anxiety, get muscle spasms, or have seizures. When you take this drug, you’ll have more GABA in your body. This will help decrease your anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.

What are the side effects of diazepam?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to diazepam: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Bensedin diazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have weak or shallow breathing, if you are hard to wake up, or if you stop breathing.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe drowsiness or dizziness;
  • unusual changes in mood or behavior;
  • new or worsening symptoms of depression or anxiety;
  • thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
  • confusion, hallucinations, sleep problems; or
  • new or worsening seizures.

The sedative effects of diazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking this medicine.

Common diazepam side effects may include:

  • drowsiness;
  • feeling tired;
  • muscle weakness; or
  • problems with balance or muscle movement.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Why is Bensedin diazepam abused?

Benzodiazepines like Bensedin diazepam have known abuse potential. Continued misuse of these drugs can easily lead to addiction. According to the DEA, more than 20 million people have abused benzodiazepines. Because diazepam can be addictive, caution should be exercised when prescribing the drug. A thorough medical history should be taken beforehand to investigate for any episodes of prior substance abuse, dependence, and addiction.

It is important to recognize that even people who’ve been prescribed diazepam can abuse the drug and eventually become addicted. Abuse of the drug occurs when a person:

  • Takes more diazepam than prescribed.
  • Takes more frequent doses than prescribed.
  • Takes the drug without a prescription to get high or to modify the effects of other drugs.

Not only can abusing diazepam lead to ill effects on a user’s physical and mental health, it can be fatal. The risk is especially high when an individual combines diazepam with other CNS depressants like alcohol, opioids (e.g., heroin or painkillers), barbiturates, and prescription sleep aids (e.g., Ambien).

Bensedin diazepam Safety Information

Bensedin diazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, or other drugs that can slow your breathing.

Misuse of bensedin diazepam can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to diazepam or similar medicines (Klonopin, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.

Misuse of this medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. In addition, fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with opioid medicine, alcohol, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing. You Can Find More Information on: How To Spot Fake Galenika Bensedin 10mg Diazepam

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Dr. Oche Otorkpa PG Cert, MPH, PhD

Dr. Oche is a seasoned Public Health specialist who holds a post graduate certificate in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, an MPH, and a PhD both from Texila American University. He is a member of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in the UK. He authored two books: "The Unseen Terrorist," published by AuthorHouse UK, and "The Night Before I Killed Addiction."
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