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Adverse effects of benzodiazepines
1Auckland Public Hospital, New Zealand.
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Benzodiazepines can cause serious harm, including dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Further research is needed to understand their full impact on quality of life, especially in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed, raising concerns about potential harm.
- Adverse effects include dependence, withdrawal, psychological impairment, and issues in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the adverse effects of benzodiazepines, focusing on dependence, psychological effects, elderly use, and tolerance.
- To discuss methodological issues in benzodiazepine research.
Main Methods:
- Review of major studies on benzodiazepine adverse effects.
- Discussion of methodological challenges: defining withdrawal, subject selection, and study design (e.g., double-blind, placebo-controlled).
Main Results:
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is accepted but its frequency is debated.
- Studies primarily focus on motor skills and memory, with less emphasis on global functioning.
- Limited research on the specific impact on the elderly population.
Conclusions:
- Current research on benzodiazepines often lacks a focus on overall quality of life.
- Future studies should adopt prospective designs with clear subject selection and withdrawal symptom definitions.
- More research is needed to understand the long-term and broader psychological impacts of benzodiazepine use.