8 SIDE EFFECTS OF ORFIDAL: FREQUENCY AND TYPES - MEDICINE - 2025

The side effects of orfidal (lorazepam) are harmful to health, so it is important to consume this drug under prescription and medical supervision. Orfidal is the trade name for lorazepam, a drug belonging to the group of high-potency benzodiazepines. In it, five main properties are distinguished: it is anxiolytic, amnesic, sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant.

Specifically, orfidal is classified as a tranquilizer-anxiolytic drug that is used to prevent nervousness and anxiety. In general, orfidal is used to treat short-term states of anxiety, as well as anxiety associated with depression and sleep disorders.

Despite being a drug with good therapeutic indices and being one of the most widely used psychotropic drugs, it must be taken into account that orfidal is a chemical compound that alters the brain function of people. This article discusses the side effects that consuming orfidal can cause.

Frequency of orfidal side effects

Like any other medicine, the consumption of orfidal can cause the appearance of side effects. This fact does not imply that it is a harmful drug that should not be consumed due to its dangerousness. In fact, lorazepam is a proven drug that can be helpful in many cases.

However, the adverse effects of this drug indicate the need to consume orfidal in a controlled and regulated manner. The appearance of side effects can limit its effectiveness and, in some cases, motivate the interruption of treatment.

Thus, the side effects discussed below should help the person using orfidal to better understand the drug they are using. Before the appearance of any of these symptoms it is necessary to consult with the doctor so that the treatment is reviewed.

Finally, it must be borne in mind that although the side effects discussed below are numerous, it does not imply that they will occur whenever orfidal is consumed.

In general, five different categories have been established depending on their frequency. These are:

1. Very common: experienced by at least one in 10 patients.
2. Common: experienced by at least one in 100 patients.
3. Uncommon: experienced by at least one in 1,000 patients.
4. Rare: experienced by at least one in 10,000 patients.
5. Very rare: less than 1 in 10,000 patients experience it.

Despite this organization regarding the frequency of orfidal side effects, most of them are of unknown frequency, as there are currently insufficient data to establish their prevalence.

Types of orfidal side effects

The side effects that orfidal consumption can cause are classified into eight categories: general disorders, heart disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, blood and lymphatic system disorders, nervous system disorders, respiratory disorders, skin and connective tissue disorders, and addiction.

1- General disorders

With regard to general disorders, the consumption of orfidal presents two main symptoms: asthenia and muscle weakness.

These two symptoms are classified as frequent, which is why at least one in 100 people who consume this drug have these types of conditions.

Asthenia usually causes a feeling of generalized fatigue and tiredness in the person, while muscle weakness is usually especially noticeable in the upper extremities.

Beyond these two alterations, the consumption of orfidal can cause other general disorders, which are of unknown frequency. These are:

1. Hypersensitivity reactions: increased sensory sensitivity of the patient.
2. Anaphylactic reactions.
3. Angiodema: swelling under the skin of the tongue or larynx that can cause an obstruction of the airways.
4. Hyponatremia: the consumption of orfidal is related, in some cases, to a lack of sodium in the body.
5. Hypothermia: in some cases the consumption of orfidal can cause a marked decrease in body temperature.
6. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.
7. Angioedema: In some cases, the consumption of orfidal can lead to swelling under the skin.

2- Cardiac disorders

Consumption of orfidal can cause alterations in the heart function of the body. These effects are of unknown frequency, so it is not possible to determine the prevalence of this type of alterations among consumers.

However, it has been determined that the most frequent heart disorder caused by orfidal consumption is hypotension, that is, the decrease in the body's blood pressure.

3- Gastrointestinal disorders

Lorazepam is a medicine that can also affect the gastrointestinal function of the body. However, at present there are no data on the prevalence of this type of disorder.

Nausea is the only symptom with a known frequency. This alteration is considered rare, which is why it is present at least one in every 1,000 people who consume orfidal.

The other gastrointestinal disorders that the use of this drug may cause are of unknown frequency and are the following:

1. Constipation.
2. Increased bilirubin.
3. Jaundice: yellowing of the whites of the eye and skin.
4. Increase in transaminases.
5. Increase in alkaline phosphatase (liver enzymes).

4- Blood and lymphatic system disorders

In general, it is argued that blood and lymphatic system disorders caused by the direct effect of the orfidal are not very prevalent. However, these alterations do not have frequency indices today.

In this sense, the blood and lymphatic system disorders that the consumption of lorazepam can cause are:

1. Thrombocytopenia: the consumption of orfidal can lead to a decrease in blood platelets.
2. Agranulocytosis: In some cases, orfidal can cause a decrease in a type of white blood cell known as neutrophils.
3. Pancytopenia: orfidal consumption has been associated with a significant decrease in all blood cells.

5- Nervous system disorders

Alterations of the nervous system are probably the most prevalent side effects of orfidal. This fact is explained by the psychopharmacological activity of these drugs.

The orfidal acts mainly in the brain regions, so its consumption causes modifications in the functioning of this region of the body. Its therapeutic effects (not secondary) are intended to increase relaxation and tranquility of the person.

However, the consumption of this psychotropic drug can cause other unwanted alterations in the functioning of the nervous system.

In this sense, the most common side effects are sedation, drowning and drowsiness. These symptoms are classified as very common and appear in at least one in 10 people who consume orfidal.

As common nervous system disorders (experienced by at least one in 100 people), lorazepam use can cause motor incoordination, speech problems, confusion, depression, depression unmasking, and dizziness.

As infrequent disorders (experienced in one in every 1,000 cases), this psychotropic drug can cause a change in sexual desire, impotence, and decreased orgasms.

Finally, as side effects of unknown frequency appear:

1. Extra-pyramidal symptoms: tremor, vertigo, blurred vision, double vision and difficulty in articulating words.
2. Headache.
3. Behavioral disinhibition.
4. States and feelings of euphoria.
5. Suicide ideas and / or attempts.
6. Alterations in attention and concentration.
7. Balance disorders.
8. Paradoxical reactions: anxiety, agitation, excitement, hostility, aggressiveness or anger.
9. Sleep disturbances and / or insomnia.
10. Experimentation of hallucinations.

6- Respiratory disorders

The consumption of orfidal has also reported the appearance of certain respiratory disorders. However, there are no data on its prevalence and side effects of unknown frequency result.

In this sense, the respiratory disorders that the direct effects of lorazepam can cause are:

1. Respiratory insufficiency.
2. Worsening of a previous sleep apnea.
3. Worsening of a previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

7- Skin and connective tissue disorders

Consumption of lorazepam can lead to skin and connective tissue disorders.

These disorders constitute two main effects: allergic skin reactions and hair loss. Both alterations are of unknown frequency.

8- Addiction

Finally, it should be noted that prolonged consumption of orfidal, especially if high doses are consumed or without medical supervision, can lead to the development of addiction to the substance.

One of the most common cases of addiction occurs in those people who, after prolonged consumption of orfidal, develop dependence on orfidal to be able to fall asleep.

However, orfidal can also cause addiction at a general level and cause a high dependence on the substance. In these cases, the person can react with a withdrawal syndrome when they stop taking the drug.

References

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