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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Delirium While On Diazepam?

My wife has been diagnosed with Parkinson plus (dementia). She has taken Diazepam before and it caused her to go delirious two different occasions. Is it possible this drug - Clonazepam 0.5 mg oral 1/4 tablet cause the same reaction? I also have read recently a publication for Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org) that Dementia with Lewy Bodies, which our DR. has mentioned she probably has this also (?), that you cannot use Valium type of medications because it causes adverse reactions to it. I think she is more inline with Dementia with Lewy Bodies according to the publications key symptoms symptoms.
Fri, 24 Aug 2018
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello,

Benzodiazepine class of drugs to which both Diazepam and Clonazepam both belong are not advised to be used in dementia patients, or even elderly in general. That is because they affect cognitive functions and increase confusion, at times agitating the patient as he becomes more confused instead of calming them as they should. It applies to all dementias not only Lewy Bodies Dementia.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Delirium While On Diazepam?

Hello, Benzodiazepine class of drugs to which both Diazepam and Clonazepam both belong are not advised to be used in dementia patients, or even elderly in general. That is because they affect cognitive functions and increase confusion, at times agitating the patient as he becomes more confused instead of calming them as they should. It applies to all dementias not only Lewy Bodies Dementia. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.