Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: a literature review and evaluation
- PMID:6133446
- DOI: 10.3109/00952998209002608
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: a literature review and evaluation
Abstract
The capacity of the benzodiazepine drugs to produce dependence and addiction has been associated with what has recently been recognized as a benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepine treatment may show a spectrum of symptoms similar to those observed from withdrawal of alcohol or barbiturates. Such reactions have been reported with and are reviewed for the following drugs: chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, temazepam, and clobazam. Generally, the higher the dose and the longer the benzodiazepine is taken, the greater the risk of developing withdrawal symptoms. However, withdrawal symptoms may occur in patients receiving recommended doses and/or short-term therapy. Although most withdrawal reactions have been reported with the long-acting benzodiazepines having psychoactive metabolites, reactions may also occur with the short-acting agents. In contrast, rebound insomnia occurs with greater frequency and severity with the short-acting agents. Benzodiazepine therapy should be stopped as early as possible, with tapering after moderate dose and/or prolonged use therapy.
Similar articles
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal.Lapierre YD.Lapierre YD.Can J Psychiatry. 1981 Mar;26(2):93-5. doi: 10.1177/070674378102600203.Can J Psychiatry. 1981.PMID:6114793
- [The withdrawal syndrome in benzodiazepine dependence and its management].Străulea AO, Chiriţă V.Străulea AO, et al.Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2009 Jul-Sep;113(3):879-84.Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2009.PMID:20191849Romanian.
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal effects.Pecknold JC, McClure DJ, Fleuri D, Chang H.Pecknold JC, et al.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1982;6(4-6):517-22. doi: 10.1016/s0278-5846(82)80142-5.Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 1982.PMID:6131488Clinical Trial.
- Rebound insomnia: a critical review.Gillin JC, Spinweber CL, Johnson LC.Gillin JC, et al.J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1989 Jun;9(3):161-72.J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1989.PMID:2567741Review.
- Withdrawing benzodiazepines in primary care.Lader M, Tylee A, Donoghue J.Lader M, et al.CNS Drugs. 2009;23(1):19-34. doi: 10.2165/0023210-200923010-00002.CNS Drugs. 2009.PMID:19062773Review.
Cited by
- Withdrawal syndromes.Liappas IA, Jenner FA, Vicente B.Liappas IA, et al.J R Coll Physicians Lond. 1987 Jul;21(3):214-8.J R Coll Physicians Lond. 1987.PMID:2886658Free PMC article.Review.No abstract available.
- Molecular and Regulatory Mechanisms of Desensitization and Resensitization of GABAA Receptors with a Special Reference to Propofol/Barbiturate.Kang Y, Saito M, Toyoda H.Kang Y, et al.Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 15;21(2):563. doi: 10.3390/ijms21020563.Int J Mol Sci. 2020.PMID:31952324Free PMC article.Review.
- Clinical consequences of abrupt drug withdrawal.George CF, Robertson D.George CF, et al.Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp. 1987 Sep-Oct;2(5):367-82. doi: 10.1007/BF03259954.Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp. 1987.PMID:3312931Review.
- Enduring neurological sequelae of benzodiazepine use: an Internet survey.Huff C, Finlayson AJR, Foster DE, Martin PR.Huff C, et al.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2023 Feb 6;13:20451253221145561. doi: 10.1177/20451253221145561. eCollection 2023.Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2023.PMID:36760692Free PMC article.
- A Retrospective Review of Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Acute Benzodiazepine Withdrawal at a Midwestern Academic Medical Center.Thornton SL, Whitacre J, Pallo N, Roberts N, Oller L.Thornton SL, et al.Kans J Med. 2021 Mar 19;14(1):77-79. doi: 10.17161/kjm.vol1414653. eCollection 2021.Kans J Med. 2021.PMID:33763183Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
Related information
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources