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Staying Healthy
Insomnia or jittery nerves? Use tranquilizers with caution
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Some men still take them for sleep problems or anxiety, but they can be risky. Use them cautiously and only for short periods.
The Rolling Stones famously sang of "mother's little helper," a sly reference to the tranquilizers, especially diazepam (Valium), that were all the rage in the 1970s. The medications in this class, benzodiazepines, are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world.
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