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Related Concept Videos

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Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
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Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A...
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Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview01:26

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Anxiolytic drugs are vital in managing anxiety disorders by effectively alleviating symptoms such as excessive fear, tachycardia, and tremors. There are several classes of anxiolytic medications, each with unique mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
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1. Benzodiazepines:
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Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

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Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Discontinuing benzodiazepines: best practices.

G Guaiana1, C Barbui2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry,Western University,London,Canada.

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
|January 29, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Gradual tapering is the recommended strategy for discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine (BDZ) use. Simple interventions like clinician letters and support, alongside tapering, significantly increase successful withdrawal chances.

Keywords:
Benzodiazepinesdiscontinuationeffectivenessguidelines

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Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Practice Guidelines
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Long-term benzodiazepine (BDZ) use presents challenges for discontinuation.
  • Evidence-based strategies are needed to support patients undergoing BDZ withdrawal.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically appraise discontinuation strategies for long-term benzodiazepine (BDZ) use.
  • To summarize findings from a Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) Rapid Response report.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review including clinical guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
  • Focus on studies evaluating BDZ discontinuation interventions.
  • Critical appraisal of existing evidence.

Main Results:

  • Gradual tapering is identified as the optimal strategy for BDZ discontinuation.
  • Limited evidence supports the use of adjunctive medications during tapering.
  • Simple interventions (e.g., clinician letters, self-help) combined with tapering increase successful withdrawal rates by 2-3 fold.

Conclusions:

  • Gradual tapering, supplemented by simple supportive interventions, is the most effective approach for long-term benzodiazepine (BDZ) discontinuation.
  • These findings have practical implications for clinical practice in managing BDZ withdrawal.