Bromazepam side effects can be harsh which adds to the challenges of bromazepam withdrawal. All benzos carry risks of addiction or dependence. Bromazepam should not be taken for more than one week. Please note that particular care should be taken not to mix it with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol.
Special care must be taken when stopping the use of bromazepam.
Do Your Symptoms
Require Bromazepam?
Alternative to Meds has been the expert on benzodiazepine withdrawals for over 15 years. We have published evidence demonstrating an 87.5% long-term success. Some people can get through a benzodiazepine taper easier than others, but that is the rarity. Many persons have become neurotoxic, which locks them into fight or flight (sympathetic overdrive). What’s required is to clean up that toxic burden so as to be truly at ease. Each situation is different, each person is unique, and needs to be treated as such.
15 Years Experience by Professionals Who Understand Your Journey.
Like all benzodiazepines, some of the side effects can be quite mild and easy enough to tolerate, especially if the drug is only taken occasionally. With more long-term use, other reactions can be so harsh that a person will want to stop the drug. But please remember, it is not safe to abruptly stop taking benzodiazepine medications.
Bromazepam side effects include:
Paradoxical reactions: Although bromazepam is a sedative, opposite effects can occur. These paradoxical reactions are reportedly more likely to occur in the elderly. They include increased anxiety, restlessness, depression, delusions, rage, nightmares, etc.
Severe allergic reaction ( abdominal cramps, nausea, sudden fever, rash, raised welts or swelling in the face, mouth, or throat, loss of consciousness, confusion, agitation, etc.) for which swift medical attention is essential.
Sedation
Pregnant and nursing women should not take bromazepam as it can harm the baby.1
Depression, anxiety, agitation
Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
Difficulty breathing
Decreased interest in things that usually were of interest
Tachycardia
Aural or visual hallucinations
Insomnia, nightmares
Memory impairment, anterograde amnesia (cannot form new memories, resulting in memory loss)
Cognitive impairments and significant learning capacity reduction
Drowsiness
Deteriorated motor skill performance i.e., delayed reflexes while driving or operating machinery, loss of coordination.
Decreased libido
Dystonia (rare condition of muscle spasms, jerks, repetitive movements or twisting of the body, face, etc.)
Liver damage*
Constipation
Headache
Slurred speech
Nausea
*A person should get regular medical exams to monitor liver damage from bromazepam. “During the chronic administration, the liver weight increased 30-40%, with concomitant enlargement of the liver.”, according to Fukazawa et al’s study.
Bromazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms will emerge after taking the drug for more than one week. Withdrawal from bromazepam can be ruinously harsh — therefore the drug should never be abruptly stopped but slowly tapered off under medical supervision.
If the tapering process is done slowly and with adequate support, withdrawals may be mild to moderate. However, some effects may present as more intense than expected even with a gradual reduction and may require medical intervention to avoid protracted withdrawal, and though rare, fatality.2
Bromazepam withdrawal symptoms include:
A return or worsening of symptoms, i.e. anxiety, depression
Agitation
Confusion
Tremors
Loss of consciousness
Tension
Muscle pain
Irritability
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Headache
Restlessness
Drug cravings*
*Bromazepam should not be taken for more than one week, due to risks of addiction and drug dependence, according to Pharmachoice.
What is Bromazepam Used For?
Bromazepam is used as an anti-anxiety agent or sedative. It is sometimes prescribed “as needed,” for instance, to prevent an occasional full-blown panic attack, for sleeping, to alleviate occasional tension, or before minor surgery.
Unfortunately, the drug can quickly become addictive and can become extremely hard to stop after a person takes it regularly for more than one week. Paradoxical effects, as mentioned above under “side effects”, can significantly complicate the use of benzodiazepines like bromazepam.
Bromazepam Alternative Names and Slang
Bromazepam is not sold in the US but is available in France and possibly other countries under trade names such as Bromaze, Somalium, Lexotan, Brazepam, and others.
It is not clear whether slang names have developed over the 50+ years it has been around, except that as it is a benzodiazepine drug, in some circles it might be generally referred to as “a downer,” “a trank,” “candy,” or simply “a benzo.”
Bromazepam Tolerance = Withdrawal Symptoms
The body quickly develops tolerance to benzodiazepines, requiring more of the drug to attain the same level of sedation. When the drug is withdrawn, even after as little as one week, bromazepam withdrawals will likely present. These can be severe reactions and can be life-threatening especially if the drug is stopped abruptly.2
Always seek medical assistance so that the drug can be slowly tapered down to reduce withdrawal symptoms as much as possible.
About Bromazepam – FAQs
Information on bromazepam is not as readily available in the US as it is elsewhere. Below you will find information we have found relating to bromazepam and some of the most frequently asked about topics where any information is available.
Why is Bromazepam Not Available in the U.S.?
While bromazepam is legally prescribed in other countries, such as France and Australia, it has not been approved by the FDA for use in the US.
There are reportedly many characteristics of the drug which make other alternatives safer and more desirable treatment options.2,3
Treatment for Bromazepam Abuse and Addiction?
Bromazepam abuse and addiction may become problematic quite quickly after starting to use this potent benzodiazepine drug. In France, where the drug is prescribed as an anti-anxiety agent, as well as for other purposes as outlined above, it is the most common drug used for intentional overdose.4
Medically monitored withdrawal is the safest recommendation, as there may be some complications requiring immediate intervention, such as airway collapse, severe respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, psychoses, and other extreme scenarios that would be best handled in a secure hospital setting.
The US Department of Health and Human Services cautions against prescribing bromazepam to pregnant women, the elderly, those with a history of alcohol abuse or any past drug dependence, and also cautions against prescribing it to children.
Bromazepam Withdrawal at Alternative to Meds Center
Alternative to Meds Center commonly has international clients who come to us from all over the world. Drugs like bromazepam are marketed under different names, but carry the same risks during withdrawal treatment. We welcome all clients and can assist with information about how to travel to the US for our services. We can also provide additional information about bromazepam side effects, and the advantages of a properly done bromazepam withdrawal program at Alternative to Meds Center.
5. Salzman C.” The APA Task Force report on benzodiazepine dependence, toxicity, and abuse.” Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Feb;148(2):151-2. doi: 10.1176/ajp.148.2.151. PMID: 1987812.[cited 2020 Nov 30]
This content has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician.
Dr. Michael Loes, M.D.
Dr. Michael Loes is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Pain Management and Addiction Medicine. He holds a dual license in Homeopathic and Integrative Medicine. He obtained his medical doctorate at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1978. Dr. Loes performed an externship at the National Institute of Health for Psychopharmacology. Additionally, he is a well-published author including Arthritis: The Doctor’s Cure, The Aspirin Alternative, The Healing Response, and Spirit Driven Health: The Psalmist’s Guide for Recovery. He has been awarded the Minnesota Medical Foundation’s “Excellence in Research” Award.
Diane is an avid supporter and researcher of natural mental health strategies. Diane received her medical writing and science communication certification through Stanford University and has published over 3 million words on the topics of holistic health, addiction, recovery, and alternative medicine. She has proudly worked with the Alternative to Meds Center since its inception and is grateful for the opportunity to help the founding members develop this world-class center that has helped so many thousands regain natural mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: Nothing on this Website is intended to be taken as medical advice. The information provided on the website is intended to encourage, not replace, direct patient-health professional relationships. Always consult with your doctor before altering your medications. Adding nutritional supplements may alter the effect of medication. Any medication changes should be done only after proper evaluation and under medical supervision.
Our Success Stories
Medication Withdrawal Success Stories
Can you imagine being free from medications, addictive drugs, and alcohol? This is our goal and we are proving it is possible every day!
Side effects of Bromazepam are not unlike those of other benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium©. Not all possible side effects are listed here; if a person experiences significant discomfort, seek medical attention immediately.
Bromazepam is used as an anti-anxiety agent or sedative. It is sometimes prescribed “as needed,” for instance, to prevent an occasional full-blown panic attack, for sleeping, to alleviate occasional tension, or before minor surgery.
Medically monitored withdrawal is the safest recommendation, as there may be some complications requiring immediate intervention, such as airway collapse, severe respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, psychoses, and other extreme scenarios that would be best handled in a secure hospital setting.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish