Does CBD Interact With Estazolam (Prosom)?

Similar Medications: CBD & Benzodiazepines

Estazolam is classified as a benzodiazepine. CBD and benzodiazepines all share similar risks for interaction and side effects and should be avoided unless otherwise specified by your prescribing physician. 

Here’s a list of similar medications that share a similar level of risk when combined with CBD:

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Clorazepate (Tranxene)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Flurazepam (Dalmane)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Midazolam (Versed)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Triazolam (Halcion)
• Quazepam (Doral)

Is It Safe to Take CBD & Estazolam (Prosom) Together?

No. It isn’t safe to take CBD and estazolam together.

While it’s unlikely for CBD and estazolam to result in side effects, the severity of some of the potential risks makes this combination worth avoiding.

Is CBD A Viable Alternative to Estazolam (Prosom)?

CBD may be a good alternative to estazolam in mild cases of sleep disorders or anxiety but may not be a suitable alternative for severe acute anxiety or insomnia.

Many experts recommend CBD or other non-prescription alternatives first before moving up to benzodiazepines. CBD is also a safer option for long-term use than estazolam, which can become habit-forming and addictive in as little as two weeks of consistent use. 

If you’re already using estazolam, speak to your doctor before switching to CBD. Your doctor will be able to assess your symptoms, underlying diagnosis, and other medications to determine whether CBD is a suitable alternative or not.

The anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and sleep-supportive actions of CBD are well known at this point [2]. Numerous studies are already available supporting these effects in large-scale clinical trials.

Two CBD-derived medications (Sativex and Epidiolex) have received approval for treating two seizure disorders, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. 

What is Estazolam (Prosom)? 

Estazolam is a sleep-inducing drug from the family of benzodiazepines, used in the treatment of insomnia, muscle convulsions, and anxiety. Estazolam is said to be more potent than other benzodiazepines for this action, such as diazepam. 

Estazolam is a federally controlled substance (C-IV), as it can be abused or lead to dependence. It’s available as a prescription-only drug in most countries.  

Estazolam (ProSom) Specs:

What Does Estazolam (Prosom) Do?

Estazolam works by binding nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors. These receptors affect the transmission of electrical activity in the nervous system. By slowing nerve impulses, estazolam affects muscle contraction, mental stimulation, sleep, memory, and more. 

Benzodiazepine receptors are said to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors. This causes an enhancement in the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) because of the increase in GABA’s affinity for the GABA receptor. 

When the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA binds to its receptor site, it opens the chloride channel, causing a hyperpolarization of the cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell. It can depress all levels of the central nervous system, including the limbic and reticular formation. 

Side Effects of Estazolam (Prosom)

Estazolam can cause dependence and addiction. Long-term use can cause complete drug dependence and rebound insomnia, and stopping the drug abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Hence this medication should only be used for only a short duration. 

Estazolam’s dosage is adjusted and administered along with non-pharmaceutical measures to treat insomnia. Its use must be monitored very carefully.  

Side effects of estazolam (Prosom)

• Abnormal coordination
• Abnormal thinking
• Angioedema
• Asthenia
• Dizziness
• Euphoria
• Fever
• Flushing palpitation
• Hangover
• Hangover effect
• Headache
• Hostility
• Hypokinesia
• Muscle spasm
• Myalgia
• Neck pain
• Neuromuscular weakness
• Rash
• Seizure
• Sleep disorder
• Somnolence
• Urticaria

Can You Overdose on Estazolam? 

Yes, it’s possible to overdose on benzodiazepines. 

The risk of overdose increases substantially when combining benzodiazepines with other medications, illicit drugs, or alcohol. 

Overdosing on estazolam may produce symptoms such as confusion, slow breathing, drowsiness, coma, lack of coordination, vomiting, loss of consciousness, lapses in memory, confusion, and slurred speech. It should never be consumed with alcohol. 

Contraindications For Estazolam

Estazolam is not appropriate for everybody — certain underlying medical conditions, habits, or other medications may make it dangerous to use estazolam. 

It’s important to be open and transparent with your doctor so they can assess your individual level of risk before prescribing estazolam or other benzodiazepine medications. 

Contraindications of estazolam include: 

• Alcohol consumption (any amount)
• Depressed neuroses, psychotic reactions
• Hypersensitivity
• Myasthenia gravis
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Severe respiratory depression

Key Takeaways: Is it Safe to Take Estazolam (Prosom) With CBD?

It may be unsafe to use CBD with estazolam as they have a moderate to high risk of interaction.

CBD may slow the metabolism of estazolam and potentiate some of its effects. Both could lead to an increased risk of side effects ranging from mild to severe. 

These two drugs should only be used in combination after consulting with your prescribing physician. Seek medical attention if you experience a loss of consciousness, vomiting, fatigue or lethargy, severe headache, or any other abnormal reactions. 

References

1. Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825-836. 
2. Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23.