Can you buy benzodiazepines in the UK?

Purchasing benzodiazepines, or “benzos”, without a prescription is against the law and amounts to possession of a Class C drug in the UK. Figures show a rise in the number of diazepam and alprazolam tablets being bought illegally in the UK and sent for testing to a public laboratory.

Is diazepam still prescribed UK?

There are many drugs in this group and some, such as diazepam (Valium), are prescribed as medicines in the UK. They are generally prescribed for anxiety or occasionally sleeping problems.

What Benzos are prescribed in the UK?

Alprazolam is a medicine in the benzodiazepine family of drugs. Benzodiazepines are most commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, and they are also prescribed to control seizures caused by epilepsy. The most frequently prescribed benzodiazepine in the UK is diazepam, known by the tradename Valium.

Can GP prescribe Xanax UK?

The name Xanax is a brand name for the drug, which is actually called alprazolam. It is part of the benzodiazepine group of prescription drugs, which also includes diazepam and lorazepam. Xanax isn’t available on the NHS, and can only be obtained on a private prescription in the UK.

Can you get benzodiazepines over the counter?

Over-the-Counter Anxiety Medication Benzos and other drugs like Xanax are not sold over the counter for anxiety treatment. However, OTC antihistamines (i.e., Benadryl/diphenhydramine) have been recommended as a short-term solution for anxiety symptoms.

Will doctors prescribe diazepam?

What can it be used for? If you are 18 or over, the doctor can prescribe diazepam for you as a licensed medicine for anxiety or insomnia (sleep problems), to help if you are giving up alcohol, or to relax you before an operation like dental surgery.

What is UK equivalent of Xanax?

While several kinds exist, alprazolam — better known as Xanax — is the most well-known and commonly abused. In the UK, the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine is diazepam, which is largely known by its trade name, Valium. Compared to Valium, Xanax is a faster-acting drug that is 10 times stronger.

What do doctors give for Anxiety UK?

Medications for anxiety

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – SSRI’s are antidepressants used to help treat anxiety.
• Benzodiazepines – Doctors should only prescribe benzodiazepines if your anxiety is extreme or if you are in crisis.
• Beta-blockers – These can help with the physical signs of anxiety.

Why do doctors not prescribe diazepam?

Diazepam is a ‘controlled drug’. This means that a prescription for diazepam must be dispensed within 28 days (you can keep most other prescriptions for six months). This is because diazepam can be abused and might be sold as a street drug.

Do doctors still prescribe diazepam?

Diazepam is available on prescription only. It comes as tablets, a liquid that you swallow, or in a rectal tube (medicine that’s squeezed into your anus). It can also be given as an injection in hospital.

What can I use instead of diazepam?

Muscle relaxants: Kemstro, Lioresal and Gablofen are brand names for baclofen, an anti-spasmodic drug with a low abuse potential. Baclofen works by binding with GABA receptor sites. Flexeril, or cyclobenzaprine, is another muscle relaxant that is less addictive than Valium.