Orfidal: uses and side effects of this medicine
Anxiety is, together with depression, one of the most frequent psychological problems Worldwide. Our lifestyle can cause a profound activation and reaction of both the mind and the body. This anxiety may be merely a temporary annoyance for some, but others may find themselves facing a crippling obstacle that they are unable to fight.
Fortunately, there are various therapies to help manage it and reduce its affectation, both at the psychotherapy level and at the pharmacological level. Among the latter we can find one of the most widely known anxiolytic drugs by the population: Orfidal.
Throughout this article we will see what this drug is, how it works and what it is prescribed for, as well as its possible side effects and contraindications.
- Related article: "Types of anxiolytics: drugs that fight anxiety"
What is Orfidal?
It receives the name of Orfidal one of the most popular and used psychoactive drugs which It is part of the group of drugs with a psychoactive effect known as anxiolytics., and within these of benzodiazepines. The main active principle of this drug is Lorazepam: Orfidal is actually one of the trade names for this substance.
As a benzodiazepine that it is, Orfidal is a drug mainly prescribed as an anxiolytic and is considered also a hypnotic-sedative, in addition to presenting effects at the level of muscle relaxation and as anticonvulsant. It is a highly effective drug, although it also has some addictive potential and can cause some side effects.
This medicine is one of the intermediate-lived benzodiazepines, which implies that it remains in the body for a period of time between twelve and twenty-four hours and its effects remain in force relatively long throughout the day.
Mechanism of action
The operation of Orfidal, whose active principle is, as we have said, Lorazepam, is mainly based on a mechanism of action in which the drug plays an indirect agonist role at acid receptors gamma-aminobutyric type A.
In other words, Orfidal acts at the neuronal level favoring and increasing the activity of one of the brain neurotransmitters that have the greatest role in inhibiting or decreasing neuronal activation, he GABA. It is the increase in the latter that causes anxiety symptoms to decrease and generates relaxation and sedation effects. The effect is especially relevant in the limbic system, the main area of the brain that governs the emotional sphere, as well as different regions of the cortex which allow information processing and reasoning.
The usefulness of this drug is enormous and it is highly effective, with the advantage that it generally does not usually generate excessively disabling side effects and allow us to continue with our day to day with normal.
Therapeutic indications: in which disorders is it used?
The main indication for Orfidal or any drug with the same active principle is fundamentally the treatment of anxiety short term, regardless of whether or not there is an anxiety disorder or if we are facing a reaction to a stimulus or situation concrete. Yes, this drug It should only be used in situations of great stress and anguish (with medical indication), since it also has its disadvantages and risks.
In addition to this, as a hypnotic-sedative that it is also especially useful when carrying out a pharmacological treatment for insomnia or other sleep disturbances in which it appears by default.
It is also often used during depressive episodes, since sleep problems and depression are frequent in them. comorbid appearance of anxious symptoms, and also in other disorders in which a level of emotionality appears intense. It is also used in people with problems derived from the withdrawal of substances such as alcohol.
It is also not surprising that it is used in the treatment of some organic diseases linked to anxiety problems, such as colon irritability or the presence of ulcers, or even to treat problems such as nausea in chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Likewise, and although it is not an indication as such, sometimes used to treat epilepsy due to its anticonvulsant properties.
- You may be interested in: "Types of Anxiety Disorders and their characteristics"
Side effects
Although highly prescribed and very useful, the truth is that the consumption of Orfidal is not without risk or the emergence of possible undesirable side effects. There are also specific sectors of the population that should not take it, having it contraindicated.
As the main and most notorious side effects we can find in the first place the existence of sedation. Although depending on the case and the situation it may be useful, the sedative action of the drug may make it difficult to maintain wakefulness during the day and decrease performance and productivity in various areas, as well as a feeling of fatigue and listlessness. Another possible side effect is the appearance of a state of affective dullness, and a slight sensation of suffocation.
It may appear loss of muscle tone, confusion, or slowness. In addition to this, it is not uncommon for dizziness or difficulties in coordinating movements and speech to appear. Although it is sometimes used in depression with anxious characteristics, the truth is that it can also lead to the appearance of depressive symptoms.
It is also not uncommon for specific memory problems to appear, often at the level of difficulties learning new things or remembering a specific event, since it also has amnestic properties. It can also generate an alteration at a sexual level, causing a decrease in libido in both sexes or erection problems in men. Vertigo and digestive problems and nausea are also possible.
Less common but also possible are hypersensitivity and allergic reactions, decreased body temperature, hypotension, hyponatremia (sodium deficiency) and constipation. Sometimes paradoxical reactions may occur, that is, contrary to what the drug generally would: generate anxiety, nervousness, panic, agitation, muscle tension, emotional lability and irritability.
In addition, it is also possible that conditions appear that can become life-threatening, such as thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis, in which there is a decrease in platelets and white and/or red blood cells (thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis).
contraindications
Orphidal It is contraindicated in people with heart problems, bradycardia and depression or cardiorespiratory failure, given that its performance favors the appearance of this type of problem. Also people with liver failure.
In the same way, people with hypoxia or lack of oxygen should also avoid its use. It should also be avoided by pregnant women., at least during the first trimester. Neither should it be consumed by children or by nursing mothers, since it facilitates the acquisition of dependence and withdrawal syndromes by minors to this drug. Do not drive or use heavy machinery after consumption due to sedation.
Likewise, the combination with alcohol and other drugs should be avoided, in addition to the fact that in case of using another type of medication, it will be necessary to inform the doctor due to the possible interaction between drugs and their possible effects.
Finally, it should be noted that Lorazepam is a substance that, like the rest of the benzodiazepines, has addictive potential, with which its consumption must be extremely regulated by a professional and not extend beyond twelve weeks. Likewise, the cessation of its consumption must be scheduled and carried out gradually, never suddenly, due to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Bibliographic references:
- Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (2018). PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER. ORFIDAL 1 MG TABLETS. LORAZEPAM. [On-line]. Available in: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/49796/P_49796.html.
- Gomez, M. (2012). Psychobiology. CEDE Preparation Manual PIR.12. CEDE: Madrid.
- Salazar, M.; Peralta, C.; Shepherd, J. (2011). Manual of Psychopharmacology. Madrid, Panamerican Medical Editorial.
- Vidal Vademecum Spain (2015). Orfidal Comp. 1mg. Vademecum [Online]. Available in: https://www.vademecum.es/medicamento-orfidal_prospecto_49796.
