Soporifics and sedatives

Most soporifics and sedatives prescribed in Luxembourg are ben­zo­di­azepines and similar medications, such as the so-called ​“Z drugs” (see table)

Good to know …

• Taking soporifics and sedatives can lead to accustoming or cause addiction. It is therefore recommended to stop taking these drugs after 8 to 12 weeks for anxiety (except certain molecules limited to 2 to 4 weeks) and 2 to 4 weeks for tran­si­tion­al insomnia. Prolonged use should only be considered in special cases that are medically justified (and under medical supervision).
• If you are using sedatives or soporifics over a protracted period, speak to your doctor about it. They can go into any issues and advise about further treatment, or pro­gres­sive­ly reduce dosage in view of coming off the medication.
• Combined use with other substances with a depressant effect such as alcohol, cannabis or bar­bi­tu­rates, increases the risks and the danger of an overdose and undesirable side effects.
• A doctor should be consulted if you are pregnant. Soporifics and sedatives pass though the placental barrier, i.e. pass from mother to child.
• Soporifics and sedatives pose greater risks for the over- 65s than for younger people: the effect is typically more pronounced and also lasts longer, not least because the body takes longer to eliminate medication. The treatment may need to be adapted.

Do soporifics improve sleep quality?

• The natural need for sleep reduces the older one gets, arti­fi­cial­ly extending sleep is therefore frequently not required.
• Soporifics and sedatives induce sleep and their primary effect is at nightfall. But they do not improve sleep quality.

Coming off medications – but how?

• When coming off soporifics or sedatives that have been taken over an extended period, ​“rebound” effects resembling the original symptoms of anxiety or sleep disorders may be experienced for a period of several days.
• Abruptly coming off medications can cause withdrawal symptoms that are occa­sion­al­ly associated with severe health risks.

This is why you should never come off soporifics and sedatives abruptly without first consulting your doctor!

Driving under the influence of medications?

The use of soporifics and sedatives increases the risk of traffic accidents. Even during the day, they can result in increased fatigue, balance disorders and difficulty con­cen­trat­ing.

In the cir­cum­stances it is strongly advised not to drive or operate machinery.

Ben­zo­di­azepines and related substances available in Luxembourg (01 July 2024)

There is no such thing as a risk-free consumption of legal and illegal drugs!

When consuming any legal and / or illegal drug, the sub­jec­tive­ly perceived effects depend on various factors (how consumed, dose, age, gender, environment, mood as well as experience and expectation).

Consumption of any drug can result in addiction.

The consumption of legal and illegal drugs is to be discouraged:

• During adolescence (physical and mental development)
• When driving and during other activities requiring a ​“clear head” (e.g. sport, when operating machinery, …)
• At the workplace / at school
• During pregnancy and breast­feed­ing
• If there are previous medical conditions

Particular care is also required:

• If the quality of the product is unknown and cannot be checked
• In the event of combined use, e.g. alcohol and other drug
• When medication is taken at the same time