Full Version: benzos inducing mania?
Ok, this question was supposed to be about rohypnol (flunitrazepam) specifically, but since that's not so popular a medication I'll broaden the question to any similar experience with benzodiazepines. Moderators please feel free to move if you think this belongs in the NOS forum. Well, the thing is, I often notice that when I take Rohypnol to sleep, I feel a little hyper and tending to the hypomanic side the next day. This shouldn't rise many eyebrows considering that rohypnol gives me a restoring, restful sleep I never get otherwise, but this mild to moderate hypomania gets dysphoric a little too frequently. I don't experience this with Dalmane (flurazepam), which instead gives me quite a hangover, and it seems to wane away when I use Rohypnol every night for a while. Is this just me, is it a rohypnol thing, or is it just the natural continuation of what made me drug myself down into sleep anyway?
Maybe it's just increased anxiety when the rohypnol wears off.
It makes no sense that a benzo would cause mania.
It makes no sense that a benzo would cause mania.
Miquel,
Hello.
I can't find a prescribing information sheet for rohypnol, since it isn't approved in the US. I check several benzos and found a couple that show paradoxical reactions, like agitation, mania, etc.
So yes it is possible for some benzos to cause such a reaction. The PI's say that if you experience these reactions you should discontinue use of the drug. I don't know whether the reaction is purely short term or whether there is the possibility for triggering a full blown manic episode, and destabilizing you long term. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.
a.m.
Hello.
I can't find a prescribing information sheet for rohypnol, since it isn't approved in the US. I check several benzos and found a couple that show paradoxical reactions, like agitation, mania, etc.
So yes it is possible for some benzos to cause such a reaction. The PI's say that if you experience these reactions you should discontinue use of the drug. I don't know whether the reaction is purely short term or whether there is the possibility for triggering a full blown manic episode, and destabilizing you long term. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.
a.m.
Hi all, thanks for the replies. The PI sheet in Brazil (where else is this stuff still legal anyways? 
) does mention paradoxical reactions: "Reações paradoxais como inquietação, agitação, irritabilidade, agressividade, delírios, furor, psicose, comportamento inadequado e outros efeitos comportamentais adversos, podem reconhecidamente ocorrer com benzodiazepínicos."
This is my complete layman's attempt to translate an excerpt from a PI sheet, and will probably come out as funny to the native speaker medically-trained: "Paradoxical reactions such as uneasiness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delirium, bouts of rage, psychosis, inadequate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects are recognized as possible occurrences with benzodiazepines."
Ah well. As the statement was inespecific to rohypnol ("ah, it's a benzo, and that's something benzos do"), and as I, like Dee, found it rather weird that such medication could induce (hypo-)mania or mania-like symptoms, I shrugged and thought they were just getting all bases covered. 'won't be easing saying goodbye to much-maligned rohypnol, though. It sucks if you are taking it everyday, as I did for a while, but I didn't quite remember what a good night's sleep was like 'till I met it. :T
) does mention paradoxical reactions: "Reações paradoxais como inquietação, agitação, irritabilidade, agressividade, delírios, furor, psicose, comportamento inadequado e outros efeitos comportamentais adversos, podem reconhecidamente ocorrer com benzodiazepínicos."This is my complete layman's attempt to translate an excerpt from a PI sheet, and will probably come out as funny to the native speaker medically-trained: "Paradoxical reactions such as uneasiness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delirium, bouts of rage, psychosis, inadequate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects are recognized as possible occurrences with benzodiazepines."
Ah well. As the statement was inespecific to rohypnol ("ah, it's a benzo, and that's something benzos do"), and as I, like Dee, found it rather weird that such medication could induce (hypo-)mania or mania-like symptoms, I shrugged and thought they were just getting all bases covered. 'won't be easing saying goodbye to much-maligned rohypnol, though. It sucks if you are taking it everyday, as I did for a while, but I didn't quite remember what a good night's sleep was like 'till I met it. :T
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