Prescription Drug Detox Becoming More Common For Pre-Teens In America

Can you imagine an 11-year-old 5th-grader needing drug detox for Xanax -- or any drug? As appalling as concept may seem, news reports across the country reveal that prescription drug abuse in middle schools these days is not unusual. And Xanax, one of most dangerous benzodiazepines, is among most popular drugs with preteens. Prescription drug abuse has become so widespread that facilities for children are provided at dozens -- possibly hundreds -- of drug detox centers in country.

We have all heard that prescription drug abuse is fast becoming biggest drug problem in America. But 5th graders? It was most disheartening to read that 5th graders are peddling dangerous prescription drugs like Xanax to classmates at De Zavala Fifth Grade Center in Houston, TX. One kid has landed in hospital after overdosing; and an 11-year-old told his mom there are at least 10 kids at school who regularly sell prescription drugs to other students for $2 or $3 a pill, including Vicodin, Tylenol 3, Xanax and speed. Police are investigating.

The anti-anxiety drug Xanax has been finding its way into hands of hardened drug abusers for years. The widespread abuse of Xanax was illustrated this month when, in a single three-day period in Oak Ridge, TN, police confiscated a wide variety of drugs in 10 separate arrests of small-time dealers and addicts and, in every case, Xanax was included along with whatever other illicit drugs were seized.

Xanax, and indeed any of the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety drugs, can create dependence. Medical drug detox can often be required to safely withdraw from it. Benzos are even more dangerous when mixed with other drugs or alcohol, or crushed and snorted, or dissolved in water and injected -- dangers that kids certainly do not know about, and so risky they can kill experienced addicts who know better. Polydrug use -- multiple concurrent drug abuses, addictions and dependencies -- are often encountered at drug detox centers, where specialists can be hard-pressed to deal with these difficult and complex withdrawals.

According to numerous government studies, kids that have early alcohol and drug experiences are more likely to move on to serious addictions as they get older. Alienated from family and friends, they join the tragic procession of young adults into dead-end lives. Only the lucky one escape from living fix-to-fix and crime-to-crime through drug detox and drug rehab.

If something is not done soon to stop easy access to these drugs, more and more kids are going to wind up addicted, mixed up in crime, and injured or even dead before they are old enough to know what a drug detox program is. In fact, it is the gateway to rehab and real recovery. Check out your kids, and their friends, thoroughly, and get them into drug detox if they are taking these drugs.

Get your medicine lower costed!

The medicine we use: Diazepam.

uses of Diazepam

Diazepam is used to treat episodes of increased seizures ( e. g. , acute repetitive seizures, breakthrough seizures ) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. Diazepam 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 belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which produce a calming effect on the brain and nerves ( central nervous system ) . It is thought to work by increasing effect of a certain natural chemical ( GABA ) in brain.

how to use of Diazepam

Read Patient/Caregiver Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before we use Diazepam and each time we get a refill. If we have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam is given rectally by a caregiver trained to recognize symptoms of your seizures and to correctly give the product. We and your caregivers must follow all instructions from your doctor and pharmacist exactly. Review all instructions on how to give Diazepam in product package. If you have any questions or feel unsure about using Diazepam, call doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam. Get emergency help if person is having a seizure and we don't feel comfortable using Diazepam.

Before using, check syringe for correct dose. Your pharmacist should set correct dose and lock syringe in " ready " position before giving we the product. Before leaving the pharmacy, look at each syringe. The dose should be in display window on side. We should see a green band with word " ready " at bottom of syringe barrel. Look to make sure you have correct syringe tip ( e. g. , smaller tip for a child ) and that there are no cracks around syringe tip. Return product to pharmacist if there is a problem or if we have any questions

Cracks can cause medication to leak out and not provide correct amount of medication. If you see a crack, use a different syringe. Cracks can appear over time, so keep checking your syringes to make sure we have good ones ready to use. Also check the expiration date on the package, and refill your prescription before medication expires.

The dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Be sure we understand when Diazepam should be used, how to use it, and how to check for side effects/seizure control. In some cases, a second dose may be prescribed and given 4 to 12 hours after the first dose. Usually, Diazepam should not be used to treat more than 5 episodes per month and no more than one episode every 5 days. If seizures continue after using Diazepam as prescribed ( e. g. , no change 15 minutes after dose is given ) , or if there is a change in the person's breathing, behavior, or condition that alarms you, get emergency help right away.

Diazepam shouldn't be used regularly. This medication may cause dependence when it has been used regularly for a long time ( more than a few weeks ) or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if we suddenly stop Diazepam, withdrawal reactions may occur while use Diazepam. Such reactions can include increased seizures. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Diazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Though it's very unlikely to occur, Diazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction/habit forming ) . Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.

Dispose of Diazepam properly. Follow the directions in the Patient Information Leaflet. Don't reuse syringe.

Don't stop taking your regular seizure control medications when we are given Diazepam.

side effects of Diazepam

Drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, and unsteadiness may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Diazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Diazepam do not have serious side effects. Diazepam stays in body for a long time. Be sure to watch for reactions for at least 4 hours after giving the medication.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

A serious allergic reaction to Diazepam is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

precautions of Diazepam

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , oxazepam, temazepam ) ; or if we have any other allergies.

Diazepam shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Diazepam may make we dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving, riding a bicycle, or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Caution is advised when using Diazepam in elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of Diazepam, especially drowsiness effect.

Diazepam isn't recommended for use during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details.

Diazepam may pass into breast milk. Because of the possible harm to infant, breast-feeding while using Diazepam is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

interactions of Diazepam

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Diazepam should not be used with following medications because a very serious interaction may occur while use Diazepam:

If we are currently using either of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam.

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if we also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antidepressants ( e. g. , amitriptyline, nefazodone ) , certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproate ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, kava, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone ) .

Diazepam contains a small amount of alcohol. Tell your doctor if we are taking drugs such as disulfiram or metronidazole that can can cause an unpleasant reaction when combined with alcohol.

Avoid alcohol when using Diazepam because it may increase side effects such as difficulty breathing and drowsiness.

Check the labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

overdose of Diazepam

If overdose of Diazepam is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include confusion, slow reflexes, clumsiness, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness.

notes of Diazepam

Don't share Diazepam with others. It is against law.

missed dose of Diazepam

Not applicable.

storage of Diazepam

Store Diazepam at room temperature at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Diazepam when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Diazepam with worldwide delivery

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