What Is Librium Used to Treat?

Mental health disorders, alcohol withdrawal and anxiety disorders can be treated with various medications. Doctors will determine which medication is best on an individual basis. Some older medications can still be the best treatment in some instances. Librium is an older medication but is still the most effective in the treatment of some disorders.

Description

• Librium (Chlordiazepoxide) is part of the benzodiazepine family, which are sedatives. Librium is most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders and is available by prescription only. Librium is only to be taken as directed for short-term use. There are other medicines that do not react well with Librium and pregnant women should not take this drug. The physician will decide if Librium is the right choice for each patient.

Alcohol

• Librium is used to treat alcohol withdrawal by reducing anxiety. In some cases, a strong dose can enable the withdrawing alcoholic to sleep, which also helps in calming the nerves.

Anxiety

• Anxiety or panic attacks are treated by Librium to reduce or control the amount of anxiety attacks. Librium also comes in injection form for the treatment of acute panic disorders.

Mental Disorders

• Some patients with bipolar disorder do well on Librium as it reduces anxiety.

Phobias

• Patients with agoraphobia are also helped with this medication because it reduces the anxiety caused by fear. By keeping the anxiety at bay, the patient may be able to work through the fear more effectively.

Epilepsy

• Librium can work in conjunction with epileptic medications as it enhances the effectiveness of the epileptic medication.

Considerations

• While Librium may not be as potent as Xanax or other newer medications, many patients actually do better on this medication. Librium closely resembles Valium and was on the market in 1960 before Valium was listed. Librium can be used for other disorders, but once again, the determination will be up to the physician. Librium, like most medications, works for some patients and not for others. Some do well on lower doses, while others need higher doses to maintain the same level of treatment. Common side effects are rash, nausea, vomiting, jaundice and swelling, to name a few. Let the physician know of any side effects. Be truthful when talking to the physician about other medications that are being taken in addition to any side effects.