The National Medicines Security Agency (ANSM) is launched this Thursday, April 10, an awareness campaign for the proper use of benzoadiazepines, medications prescribed in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia this Thursday, April 10.
Benzoadiazepines, the best known of which are Xanax, Lexomil or even fear, are not exempt from risks, warns the ANSM. With this new awareness campaign, the agency wants to remember that anxiety and medicines for insomnia are temporary help and should be taken in the shortest possible duration.
“Good use is to use a medication adapted to a patient with a particular pathology and we know that the patient’s situation makes it possible to use this medication with a favorable risk benefit/balance,” says Professor Catherine Paugam Burtz, general manager of the ANSM, who insists on “the importance of the dose and the duration of treatment.”
France, second consumer in Europe
More than 9 million French received a recipe from Benzoadiazepine in 2024, which makes the second European country the most consumer, after Spain, “but far ahead of the United Kingdom and Germany,” Dr. Philippe Vella, medical director at the ANSM completes.
Among patients treated with benzodiazepine, 40% have too long periods of recipe, the ANSM estimates. For insomnia, the recommended treatment duration is a few days and should not exceed 3 weeks. For anxiety, anxiolytic prescription should not exceed 12 weeks.
“When we question treated or under treatment, less than three of five know they should be taken in short durations,” said Catherine Paugam Burtz.
Although they are effective, these medications, which act on the central nervous system, in fact have risks: dependence, falls, memory disorders, drowsiness, driving risks, etc. In addition, the longer the risk of seeing these undesirable effects occurs.
Non -medical alternatives
To raise awareness among patients, but also health professionals with the risk of misuse of benzodiazepines, the ANSM launches a campaign that offers especially non -drug alternatives to the treatment of insomnia and anxiety.
Against insomnia, the drug agency advises to establish several gestures before using the medication. The ANSM advises to adopt a sleep routine that consists of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, limiting exciting, such as coffee, alcohol or even tobacco, as well as to avoid too generous meals at night.
He also recommends maintaining the temperature of his room below 19 ° C, reducing his exposure to noise, lights and screens, especially within two hours before bedtime, to practice physical activity during the day, several hours before bedtime.
Finally, the ANSM advises people with insomnia to take naps too long, exceed an hour and too late, that is, after 4 pm
Temporary help that does not treat the cause
As for anxiety, the ANSM also recommends establishing non -medication alternatives in first intention. To combat anxiety, the drug agency advises to find the possible causes of its anxiety, or even practice physical activity or relaxing activity, such as yoga, gardening, kitchen or reading.
However, he also advises people who do not hesitate to consult a doctor, who can then direct them to a psychologist or psychiatrist if necessary.
The ANSM also remembers that benzodiazepines are a temporary help to relieve symptoms, but do not allow the cause of insomnia or anxiety to be treated.
Source: BFM TV
