The World Health Organization estimates that 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder that affects people of all ages. Epilepsy is comprised of recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that involve either part of the body or the entire body. People who have this disorder can have difficulty participating in routine daily activities such as driving because of the uncertainty of their health. These challenges can affect how they live.
Doctors have sought out ways to treat this disorder because of how it changes one’s quality of life. Drug researchers wanted to find a way to manage the symptoms that cause seizures and, in essence, give those who have seizures a peace of mind. This was the reason barbiturates were introduced to the world in the late 1800s. One such medication, Mysoline, was created with the intention of calming an overexcited nervous system.
Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants that can lead to chemical dependence when taken for too long. These drugs were once used on a large scale to treat different ailments throughout the first half of the 20th century, but they were replaced by medications such as benzodiazepines because of their adverse side effects.
There are some scenarios where barbiturates like Mysoline are still used. There are severe cases that require heavy-duty medication, and Mysoline is used as a last resort. There are other drugs that can be used as a substitute, but as mentioned, this is in case those have proven ineffective.
If you are required to take a powerful drug like Mysoline, it’s imperative that you familiarize yourself with the signs of addiction. If you begin to develop a chemical dependency, it helps to be aware of your options. This article highlights some of the most important characteristics to look out for during a Mysoline condition.
What is Mysoline?
Mysoline is a type of barbiturate also known as primidone. It belongs to an analog of a powerful substance known as phenobarbital. Barbiturates are in an umbrella of drugs called central nervous system (CNS) depressants that are used to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and seizures.
When the drug’s adverse side effects became widely known with bad characteristics that followed, such as dependence, doctors soon started to prescribe medications called benzodiazepines. While they are less common today, barbiturates are still given in more extreme cases as aforementioned.
As with all depressant drugs, Mysoline works by modulating to receptors in the brain that are activated by gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA). What makes Mysoline unique in comparison to other depressants is that it does not interact with GABA receptors directly. The phenobarbital produced after the breakdown of the drug alters the GABA and increases its efficiency. GABA is responsible for many brain functions, but the receptors that phenobarbital affects work to manage nervous system excitability. GABA receptors have hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
Mysoline was discovered in 1949 as an effective way of treating epilepsy. It was first sold in the United Kingdom, and a year later Germany followed suit. Initial reports showed that adverse effects were mild, but these were later disproven as a wave of individuals suffering from the negative side effects appeared more frequently. The most common side effects of this drug are fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, ataxia, involuntary eye movement, dizziness, and visual disturbances.
What are the Signs of Mysoline Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease that is not always easy to detect. People who are in the early stages of addiction may not exhibit signs that you may have seen in films or on television. Drugs like Mysoline, however, do have unique characteristics that someone using will show. If you suspect that either you or a loved one has become dependent on a drug, this will be your best indicator to stop. Early detection of diseases can save lives.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is characterized by continuing to use a drug despite the serious consequences of doing so. If your Mysoline use has caused problems at school or work, this could be a clear-cut sign of a substance use disorder.
There are many signs can happen before a fully developed addiction has formed. The first sign is an increased tolerance to the drugs being consumed. Tolerance is defined as the feeling of requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. It is a typical result of continued drug use, but when barbiturates are involved, tolerance can be a serious sign that chemical dependence is on the horizon.
Dependency is the next step of a substance use disorder, and it is when the body becomes used to the presence of Mysoline in your system. It begins to rely on the foreign substances that you introduced into the body. If you begin to decrease the dose or stop altogether and experience withdrawal symptoms, this could indicate your body has developed a chemical dependence.
Withdrawal Symptoms You Could Experience Include:
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Slow breathing
- Hallucinations
- High body temperature
- Shakiness
- Violent outbursts
- Seizures
- Tremors
Suddenly stopping the drug can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that in some cases end in death. In the event you’ve become dependent on Mysoline, you must immediately seek professional help. It may sound cliche, but it really could be the difference between life or death.
Due to the potential of euphoric effects, Mysoline can be, and is frequently used for abuse. This can ultimately end in addiction. Abuse may often be accompanied by symptoms of intoxication that are similar to alcohol. These can include dizziness, slurred speech, and poor coordination. People who abuse barbiturates often become reclusive and withdrawn from usual activities. They also have strange sleep patterns and extreme mood swings.
How Does Mysoline Addiction Treatment Work?
While all treatment involves a continuum of care, barbiturate treatment must begin in the most intensive phase. The reason for this is to connect you with the treatment that is necessary for your unique needs. Individuals who respond best to treatment have gone through programs that are tailored to their specific requirements.
Due to the inherent dangers associated with barbiturates like Mysoline, it is imperative that the first stage of treatment begins with medical detoxification. This is the highest level of care that will provide a client with 24-hour-a-day, supervised, medically managed treatment services. This experience will last anywhere from three-to-seven days, but depending on the severity of the addiction, this stage could last longer. Due to the intensity of barbiturate withdrawals, the staff can administer medications that help alleviate some discomfort you may experience. Your health is their top priority.
After detox, you will be provided recommendations for continued care by the treatment team. In most cases, a client will be placed into an inpatient residential treatment center. This is because more intensive care will be required due to acute withdrawal symptoms that may present themselves and is a stage of treatment during which clients work toward achieving physical and mental health stabilization.
This process can last anywhere from 30 days to 90 days. You may be placed in intensive therapies that allow you to gain insight into the underlying factors that fueled your addiction and coping mechanisms that will enable you to transition smoothly back into life and manage triggers should they arise.
How Dangerous is Mysoline?
Mysoline, like all barbiturates, is dangerous when abused. The medication causes different symptoms in those who use it that could lead to long-term consequences. One of the most common dangers in the intense withdrawal symptoms, which illustrate the real dangers that can be involved; these must not be taken lightly. Abusing Mysoline can lead to respiratory depression that can cause brain damage, and that could lead to death.
Mysoline Has Been Linked to Other Complications Including:
- Osteoporosis
- Heart-related complications like coronary heart disease
- Blackouts that can lead to memory loss and accidents
- Dupuytren’s contracture (a condition that causes fingers to bend down permanently)
Barbiturate Addiction Statistics
- Barbiturate overdose is deadly in 10% of cases.
- 50 million people have epilepsy worldwide, and 70% respond to treatment.
- 396 people died in cases linked to barbiturates in 2013.
