Nurse Teaching: Contraindications for Quazepam Use
Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using quazepam as follows:
- Do not take quazepam, if you ever manifested any allergic responses to intake of quazepam or any other medications belonging to the same group as quazepam, such as, oxazepam, lorazepam, prazepam, and alprazolam. In the event of an allergic response with any of these medications, check with your physician regarding your safety with intake of Quazepam.
- Do not take Quazepam along with alcohol, opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, OTC cough syrups, and any other medications that carry a risk for depression of the central nervous system, resulting in episodes of severe dizziness and confusion. The individual influence of these medications on the brain can get added up, thus leading to severe confusion, coma, and can even be fatal. In some individuals, taking quazepam with the medications belonging to the groups mentioned above can lead to severe depression of respirations and breathing difficulty.
- Quazepam use in expectant mothers could harm the unborn baby and result in pregnancy complications and birth defects. So, Quazepam use should best be avoided during pregnancy and in women planning to get pregnant. The possibility of a woman being pregnant should be explored before initiating therapy with quazepam.
- Quazepam intake can be habit-forming and carries an abuse potential. The risk for addiction and abuse can be even higher, especially in individuals with history of substance abuse. Quazepam must be used with extreme caution or avoided in such individuals, to prevent any abuse and toxic side-effects with Quazepam use.
- Quazepam is extensively metabolized in the liver and the metabolites are excreted in the urine. If liver function is deficient, the metabolism of Quazepam can be compromised. In individuals with history of compromised renal function, the excretion of quazepam can be compromised. In either case, quazepam and metabolites stay in the body for prolonged duration of time in comparison to normal leading to increased blood levels of the medication and metabolites for longer periods of time. This can lead to increased risk for side-effects and consequent toxicity. So, Quazepam could be cautiously administered or avoided for an alternative medication, in individuals with hepatic and/or renal dysfunction. Periodical labs for liver and/or renal function could be ordered and individuals monitored for development of any toxic symptoms. Discuss with your physician regarding history of compromised liver or kidney function, if any.
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