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Recently Answered

• QHow are benzodiazepines used to treat lower back pain?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Benzodiazepines appear to be about as effective as muscle relaxants for short-term relief of low back pain. They should only be used for a limited period of time since they can be habit-forming. They are sometimes prescribed for people who have insomnia, anxiety, or muscle spasms with their pain. But they are not approved by the FDA for treatment of low back pain. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QHow effective are benzodiazepines for treating insomnia?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Benzodiazepines are effective for helping people with insomnia fall asleep faster and sleep longer. People using benzodiazepines as sleep aids tend to have less deep sleep (stage 4 and REM), but longer total sleep time and a sense of a deep or refreshing sleep. The benefits usually diminish after being used several nights in a row. When the drug is stopped, total sleep time may drop, but sleep may continue to feel refreshing.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QWhat should I know before taking benzodiazepines?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you have thoughts of suicide, a benzodiazepine may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you take a benzodiazepine, you should be cautious about drinking alcohol. You should avoid kava kava and grapefruit juice.
  
  Because of their potential for abuse, benzodiazepine sedatives may not be a good option for people who have had a substance use problem.
  
  Older adults can have more severe side effects from benzodiazepines. The effects of these drugs may last much longer in older adults. Lowest possible doses and shorter-acting benzodiazepines, such as triazolam, should be used.
  
  Some benzodiazepines may not be safe or effective for children and teens. Check individual drug labels.
  
  If you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a depressive disorder, angle-closure glaucoma, chronic pulmonary insufficiency, or sleep apnea, a benzodiazepine may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, the health of your baby may be at risk if you take a benzodiazepine.
  
  You should not take a benzodiazepine if you are breastfeeding. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QHow are benzodiazepines used to treat insomnia?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Benzodiazepines are sedative drugs that are often used to treat anxiety. Benzodiazepines that are FDA-approved to treat sleep disorders are estazolam, flurazepam, quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion). These drugs are meant to be used for short-term treatment, meaning days for some of them, or weeks for others. They should be part of a treatment plan that also includes therapy to improve sleep habits.
  
  Some benzodiazepines work better for certain types of sleep problems. People who have trouble falling asleep may be helped by a drug that acts quickly, such as flurazepam or triazolam. People who often wake too early may be helped by a drug that acts for a longer time, such as flurazepam or quazepam. Because they affect the nervous system in a less focused way than newer sleep drugs, benzodiazepines tend to have more side effects. They can also be habit-forming. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor. 
• QWhat should I know before taking inhaled corticosteroids?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Inhaled corticosteroids have not been proven to be safe and effective for children of all ages. They can limit growth, and should therefore be taken at the lowest effective dose. The child's growth should be monitored during treatment. Consult the individual drug labels for age limitations for each drug.
  
  If you have latent tuberculosis, or have ever had tuberculosis, you should not take an inhaled corticosteroid.
  
  If you have herpes infection of the eye, you should not take an inhaled corticosteroid.
  
  If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or may be pregnant, inhaled corticosteroids may not be good options for you. It is not known if they are safe for pregnant women.
  
  You should not take an inhaled corticosteroid if you are breastfeeding.
  
  If you take budesonide, you should avoid grapefruit juice.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat should I know before using topical corticosteroids?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you have an immune system problem or are undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, a topical corticosteroid may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you have tuberculosis of the skin, a fungal infection of the skin, or a viral infection, you should not use topical corticosteroids.
  
  Topical corticosteroids may not be good options for you if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or may be pregnant. It is not known if they are safe for pregnant women.
  
  If you are breastfeeding, topical corticosteroids may not be good options for you. It is not known if these drugs can be passed into breast milk. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QHow effective are topical corticosteroids at treating psoriasis?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Corticosteroid drugs are very effective for short-term treatment. The effectiveness of higher-strength forms is similar to that of topical vitamin D. Psoriasis symptoms usually improve in 2 to 4 weeks. Topical corticosteroids should not be used continuously for long periods of time. Your doctor can design a treatment schedule so that you have some steroid-free intervals.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat other medications interact with topical calcineurin inhibitors?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are taking mifepristone, you should not use topical tacrolimus. If you are taking another CYP3A4 inhibitor, topical tacrolimus may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are taking an immunosuppressant, pimecrolimus can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
  
  If you are taking another QT interval prolonging drug, tacrolimus may not be a good option for you. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QDo topical calcineurin inhibitors have side effects?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Side effects may include flu-like symptoms, headaches, itching, and redness or a burning sensation of the skin. Topical calcineurin inhibitors increase the risk of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoal infections, including opportunistic infections. Some people have developed lymphoma or skin cancer. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.