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Is It Safe To Have Librium While Having Sleep Apnea?
Question: I am detoxing off alcohol, with Librium, prescribed today. 25 mg, every 4 hours. I did this before in treatment about 6 years ago. I had sleep apnea then and they weren't concerned, but when checking drug interactions, sleep apnea was in the top 12. I can't/don't wear a CPAP, so should I go ahead and take my nightly doses for 4 days/nights?
Brief Answer:
No probably you should not go ahead directly,ask your Dr,discuss & decide
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I appreciate your effort to stop alcohol.It is really a good thing that you have searched about interaction of librium and sleep apnea.
No probably you should not go ahead directly, ask your Doctor, discuss & decide
Librium - chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine and it can cause respiratory depression. It also leads to sedation. Both these factors can worsen sleep apnea if someone is also suffering from the same, as in your case.
However it does not mean that every patient is going to suffer but we should be cautious.
Considering these factors if feasible librium should be avoided in my opinion in your case. Ativan(lorazepam) is good option. Though risk is there also with ativan for sleep apnea but less than that of with librium.
Factors favoring use of librium in your case are: Your use of alcohol. Alcohol is also respiratory depression and causes sedation same like librium. If with alcohol you do not have any worsening of sleep apnea, there may not be any problem with librium also. Librium is going to replace the effect of alcohol. And probably you do have experience with librium before 6 years without any problem.
So you can be treated with librium, but only in hospital for 2 days at least under observation.
Discuss above aspect with your doctor and go ahead for treatment.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further ,
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
No probably you should not go ahead directly,ask your Dr,discuss & decide
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
I appreciate your effort to stop alcohol.It is really a good thing that you have searched about interaction of librium and sleep apnea.
No probably you should not go ahead directly, ask your Doctor, discuss & decide
Librium - chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine and it can cause respiratory depression. It also leads to sedation. Both these factors can worsen sleep apnea if someone is also suffering from the same, as in your case.
However it does not mean that every patient is going to suffer but we should be cautious.
Considering these factors if feasible librium should be avoided in my opinion in your case. Ativan(lorazepam) is good option. Though risk is there also with ativan for sleep apnea but less than that of with librium.
Factors favoring use of librium in your case are: Your use of alcohol. Alcohol is also respiratory depression and causes sedation same like librium. If with alcohol you do not have any worsening of sleep apnea, there may not be any problem with librium also. Librium is going to replace the effect of alcohol. And probably you do have experience with librium before 6 years without any problem.
So you can be treated with librium, but only in hospital for 2 days at least under observation.
Discuss above aspect with your doctor and go ahead for treatment.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further ,
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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