Versed (midazolam) is a prescription benzodiazepine. Versed is primarily prescribed for procedural sedation, anesthesia, sleep problems or severe agitation. As with other benzodiazepines, Versed has a calming effect on the central nervous system and brain of the person using it.
Versed (midazolam) is a prescription benzodiazepine. Versed is primarily prescribed for procedural sedation, anesthesia, sleep problems or severe agitation. As with other benzodiazepines, Versed has a calming effect on the central nervous system and brain of the person using it. It can also be used to treat seizures. Versed is administered intravenously, by intramuscular injection or by spraying it in the nose. These modes of administration mean it can start working very quickly. Some of the common side effects can include nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. There is also the risk of paradoxical side effects. These are side effects that appear to be the opposite of what you would expect with the use of a depressant. These can include agitation, restlessness, uncontrollable shaking, aggression or irregular heartbeat.
For the most part, Versed isn’t used outside of a hospital or clinical setting. However, it could be prescribed in some cases as a treatment for acute seizures or along with antipsychotics for the treatment of conditions like schizophrenia. In rare cases, Versed might be prescribed as a sleep aid if other options haven’t been effective. This isn’t common with Versed, however. Versed tends to only work for one to six hours, so it may help with falling asleep but not staying asleep.
Signs of Versed Abuse
Prescription drug abuse is a significant problem in the U.S. Benzodiazepines like Versed are one of the most widely prescribed and misused drug classes. The risk of misuse and addiction are the reason they’re only prescribed for short-term use. Some signs of Versed abuse can be difficult to distinguish from regular prescription use of the drug. For example, someone may appear drowsy or groggy, to lack coordination or have slurred speech. Other signs of Versed abuse can include:
- Taking it without a prescription
- Using larger doses of Versed than what is prescribed
- Taking Versed for a longer period than prescribed
- Combining it with other substances
Anytime someone is using a prescription benzodiazepine outside of a doctor’s instructions, it’s considered misuse. Abusing Versed doesn’t mean someone is addicted or dependent, but it increases the risk that can occur. Some of the symptoms of Versed abuse along with addiction and dependence can include memory loss and slow breathing. Over time with repeated exposure, Versed and other benzodiazepines can create changes in brain functionality and pathways. These changes can cause addiction. The biggest way to reduce the risk of Versed addiction is to use the medication exactly as prescribed and never without a prescription.
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Signs of Versed Addiction
Addiction is a complex brain disease. Prescription drug addiction can be especially difficult to identify, even by the person struggling with it. They may excuse their addiction as being safe or okay because it started with prescription medicines. When someone is addicted to a drug like Versed, it takes over their life. The drug becomes their primary focus, and other areas of their life will suffer as a result. Addiction distorts a person’s thinking, body functions and behavior. Some of the signs of Versed addiction can include:
- Intense drug cravings
- Problems with judgment and decision-making
- Drug-seeking behaviors
- Compulsive drug use
- The inability to stop using Versed
- Continuing to use Versed even when there are negative consequences
- Putting Versed above all other priorities
- Lying or stealing to cover drug use or get more drugs
- Financial and legal problems
- Physical effects such as tolerance and dependence
Benzodiazepine addiction to drugs like Versed can have other complications. One of the symptoms of benzo addiction is the development of polysubstance abuse. It’s not often someone just misuses benzodiazepines. Instead, people will tend to misuse multiple substances such as benzos and opioids or alcohol. There are also links between mental illness and addiction. For some people, mental illness was an underlying factor in addiction. For other people, signs of mental illness may manifest after addiction.
The signs, symptoms and side effects of Versed and benzodiazepine addiction are important to recognize. More than 50 million prescriptions are written each year for benzodiazepines, and prescription drugs cause almost 60 percent of all drug overdose deaths. Prescription drug addiction can begin with legitimate use of the drug and can quickly spiral into something more. People who use prescriptions drugs should follow their doctor’s advice carefully. Individuals should also fully disclose any past struggles with substance misuse or addiction.
