Klonopin linked to dementia (bad news for Stevie)
 

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29127726

9 September 2014
Anxiety and sleeping pills 'linked to dementia'
By Helen Briggs
Health editor, BBC News website


Long-term use of pills for anxiety and sleep problems may be linked to Alzheimer's, research suggests.

A study of older Canadian adults found that past benzodiazepine use for three months or more was linked to an increased risk (up to 51%) of dementia.

NHS guidelines say the drugs should be used for eight to 12 weeks at most.

The French-Canadian team says while the link is not definitive, it is another warning that treatments should not exceed three months.

"Benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease," lead researcher, Sophie Billioti de Gage of the University of Bordeaux, France, and colleagues wrote in the BMJ.


“This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link”

"Unwarranted long-term use of these drugs should be considered as a public health concern."

The study involved about 2,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in adults aged over 66 living in Quebec. All had been prescribed benzodiazepines.

They were compared with about 7,000 healthy people of the same age living in the same community.

While an increased risk was found in those on benzodiazepines, the nature of the link was unclear.

Dr Eric Karran, director of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "This study shows an apparent link between the use of benzodiazepines and Alzheimer's disease although it's hard to know the underlying reason behind the link.

"One limitation of this study is that benzodiazepines treat symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbance, which may also be early indicators of Alzheimer's disease."

Long-term use

Prof Guy Goodwin, president of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, said the findings "could mean that the drugs cause the disease, but is more likely to mean that the drugs are being given to people who are already ill".

Dr James Pickett, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said with 1.5 million people in the UK being prescribed benzodiazepines at any one time, "evidence that their long-term use increases the risk of dementia is significant, and raises questions about their use".

Benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders and insomnia.

Despite published guidance on their appropriate use for short-term management, inappropriate prescribing of the drugs is still a concern.

Experts are calling for better monitoring of side-effects, particularly in older adults.

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Uh oh for Stevie, Klonopin is a benzo. :( at least more research needs to be done to find an actual conclusion.

That's not just bad news for Stevie. My doctor has me on Paxil daily. And he has me on .05 milligrams of clorazepate for emergencies. Unfortunately I actually do need these meds to function somewhat normally.
I'm starting to think I'm cursed :(

This thread just scared the crap out of me.

same here..my heart jumped a beat

My entire body started shaking when I saw this thread topic. :eek:

Mods feel free to change the title! I won't be offended. :thumbsup:

What a ridiculous thread. Think twice about posting. Jesus.

Why is it ridiculous? Because she wasn't on Klonopin for years, and this could directly affect her health? Or because her prescription drug usage has never been mentioned before? :shrug:

Are you serious? It's a thread crying for attention. Nobody has heard any Stevie health rumors for years. This thread should be deleted or locked, but whatever.

It was relevant, I posted it. If it got 3 views, it didn't really matter to me! Sorry for trying to contribute, but your anger doesn't ruin my day.

Alright, that's fair enough. The title is able to be changed with mod help though. But the title isn't technically misleading, bad news is bad news. :shrug: but making this a personal issue doesn't exactly show class either, in all honesty.

Edit due to your edit- thanks for your advice :) I'll assume you're trying to be nicer.

Well, alright. But I wasn't being facetious or sarcastic, I was being sincere. I thought (edited to add-was hoping!) you were trying to be nicer, or at least trying to soften your words. :shrug: goodbye, I suppose.

Edit due to your edit- I'm sorry, I do not have an agenda. There wasn't any attitude in my responses or edits, please stop trying to spin things that way.

Jeez, Penguinhead and Nick!!! Chill the f**k out! I seriously doubt HelloMonster was intending to bait or mislead people with this thread! Can ya'll at least TRY to be nice and act like grown ass adults?

I really don't understand the "urge to jump down a person's throat" over the most innocuous of issues (such as this thread) that several of you people on this forum seem to take pleasure with!

If something is brought up, or presented in a way that you feel is "askew" or that you disagree with, at least be courteous with your opposing viewpoint, or either "private message" that person, or don't say anything at all. :shrug:

sorcerer999, You're absolutely right! A private message would have been a much better, more tactful option. I should have gone that route. Emotions sometimes go askew and disposition flies out the window; I've been humbled, but I will stand by and defend my reasoning (and Nick's). Believe me, it's not a pleasure!

Well "linked to" doesn't mean 100% it'll happen to a person. It just means *it could*, that's all.