Flurazepam
Flurazepam belongs to a group of medications known as benzodiazepines. In addition to its ability to prevent seizures, flurazepam relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety and relieves insomnia.
Benzodiazepines elevate the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within your brain. GABA is a natural chemical messenger that produces a calming sensation by slowing activities processed in the central nervous system.
What Does Flurazepam Treat?
Flurazepam is frequently prescribed to treat insomnia. The medication can help you fall asleep and remain asleep throughout an entire sleep cycle. Flurazepam can remain in your bloodstream for several days. The lingering sedative effect may cause you to feel drowsy the following day. Flurazepam may not be appropriate if you need to accomplish a task that requires alertness shortly after you wake up.
Sleep aids are frequently prescribed for severe back pain because the condition can cause insomnia. Restorative sleep reduces the intensity of your pain and increases your ability to manage any pain that you experience. The medication enables you to get the rest that your body requires to restore your health.
The muscle relaxant and anti-anxiety effects of flurazepam are beneficial for patients with chronic back pain. The painful condition can cause muscle tension near or at the injured area. The muscle tension further intensifies your back pain because it contorts your body into awkward positions and strains your muscles. Muscle relaxants reduce your pain by eliminating the tension.
Irritability and anxiety are psychological conditions that people frequently experience when they have severe pain. Flurazepam enables you to handle your back pain by controlling these distressing emotional symptoms.
Common Side Effects of Flurazepam
The most common side effects of flurazepam are lightheadedness, dizziness and impaired coordination of movements.
Drowsiness can persist the day after taking a bedtime dose. This effect may be more evident in the initial days of starting the medication as the level of the flurazepam increases in your body. You should avoid taking this medication with alcohol, sedatives and other substances that slow the function of the central nervous system.
Although flurazepam is less addictive than other benzodiazepines, there is a risk of dependency. Over time, your body will require higher doses of the medication to remain effective. You can avoid becoming addicted by taking the lowest therapeutic dose for a brief period. The symptoms of withdrawal syndrome are seizures, anxiety, disconnection from reality, heightened sensitivity to light and noise. Withdrawal can worsen psychiatric conditions, such as depression. Insomnia can come back when the drug is discontinued.
Flurazepam may affect your sense of balance. The elderly and other people who are likely to experience serious injuries due to falls should not take the medication. Older patients are also more susceptible to developing amnesia while taking flurazepam.
Is Flurazepam Right for You?
Speak with your doctor if you have severe insomnia due to your back pain. Your doctor will evaluate your medical history and current health condition. A comprehensive assessment will help your doctor determine whether flurazepam is the appropriate medication for your insomnia.