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What Factors Affect a Sufficient Tetrazepam Dose?

Susan Abe
Susan Abe

Tetrazepam is a benzodiazepine medication of long-term duration with a usual tetrazepam dose of 50 milligrams (mg) every six to eight hours, an onset-to-peak effect time of one to three hours when ingested orally, and a half-life of three to 26 hours. Benzodiazepines are a family of medications used primarily as anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) agents, muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medications, among many other functions. Tetrazepam is not available for prescription in the US and Canada, but it is used in several European countries primarily for muscle spasms or panic and anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia. The medication is effective without the degree of sedation often experienced with other benzodiazepines. Factors that affect a sufficient tetrazepam dose are common to most benzodiazepines and include the size and age of the patient, other medications included in the patient's drug regimen and other diseases or disorders from which the patient may suffer.

One of the first factors that affect the sufficiency of a tetrazepam dose is the age and size of the patient. Tetrazepam is not recommended for use in children and use in older adults and seniors is advised with caution. Older adult patients experience side effects of the medication at a higher rate and with greater severity than do middle-aged adults. In some situations, prescribing a lower tetrazepam dose can minimize this known difficulty; however, this modification is limited in practice. Tetrazepam is manufactured solely in 50 mg dose tablets and an elderly patient on a lower dose must have the vision and motor coordination sufficient to utilize a pill cutter.

Elderly patients are often prescribed a lower than average dose of tetrazepam.
Elderly patients are often prescribed a lower than average dose of tetrazepam.

Other medications or substances the patient may ingest are also a significant factor affecting a tetrazepam dose. Other medications with sedative properties — including ingestion of alcoholic drinks — can strongly add to the effect of a patient's usual dosage. Gait and balance issues can also become intensified and result in enough of an impairment to produce greater side effects and risk of injury. Blood pressure medications that can cause postural hypotension — or dizziness upon arising — can combine with tetrazepam for increased dizziness and potential for falls.

Tetrazepam is also marketed and sold under the brand name Myolastan®.
Tetrazepam is also marketed and sold under the brand name Myolastan®.

A patient's optimum tetrazepam dose is also affected by the degree of his muscle injury and his individual pain threshold. A higher dosage or a more frequent dose administration may be necessary for patients with more severe injuries or lower pain thresholds. Patients who have multiple allergic sensitivities may require a lower tetrazepam dose due to its known tendency to cause allergic dermatitis, even in healthcare workers who administer the medication.

Discussion Comments

burcidi

@burcinc-- I agree with you, the sufficient dose depends on the individual.

I have a high sensitivity to drugs, meaning that low doses are very effective and I don't need to take much of anything to see results. I can have the most terrible migraine and I only need half of an ibuprofen tablet to feel better.

I told my doctor this when I was prescribed tetrazepam. She told me to take half of 50mg and if it doesn't work, I can take 50mg. Well knowing myself, I only took a quarter of the tablet-- so 12.5mg-- and it was enough! But everyone is different.

burcinc

@ZipLine-- No, 50mg is not high for tetrazepam. Don't compare this dose with the dose of other drugs, the required dose for each medication is different. It's also different from person to person.

I had a back injury last year when I was in Germany and I was prescribed tetrazepam by the doctor I saw there as a muscle relaxant. I was taking 50mg twice a day in addition to pain relievers. I couldn't move my neck at all otherwise.

I'm sure there are people who take more than this dose. It just depends on what they're using it for and how much their body needs for the required effect.

ZipLine

50mg seems kind of high for an eight hour dose. Do most people who are on tetrazepam take this amount daily?

I'm also on an anxiety medication, not tetrazepam obviously since it's not available here. But I'm only taking 10mg. I can't even imagine taking 50mg.

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    • Elderly patients are often prescribed a lower than average dose of tetrazepam.
      By: krutoeva
      Elderly patients are often prescribed a lower than average dose of tetrazepam.
    • Tetrazepam is also marketed and sold under the brand name Myolastan®.
      By: LoloStock
      Tetrazepam is also marketed and sold under the brand name Myolastan®.
    • In Europe, tetrazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders like agoraphobia.
      By: imageegami
      In Europe, tetrazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders like agoraphobia.
    • Some patients experience hypotension and dizziness when taking tetrazepam.
      By: elizalebedewa
      Some patients experience hypotension and dizziness when taking tetrazepam.
    • Tetrazepam is not available for prescription in the US.
      By: 18percentgrey
      Tetrazepam is not available for prescription in the US.