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Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

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).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
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CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

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...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

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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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
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Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...

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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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Benzodiazepine Tapering: Evidence Limitations and Research Recommendations.

Bethea A Kleykamp1, Amanda Devoto, Dawn Lindsay

  • 1University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD (BAK); American Society of Addiction Medicine, Rockville, MD (DA); American Society of Addiction Medicine, Rockville, MD (DL); Georgetown University, Washington, DC (MA); Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Minneapolis, MN (EB); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (C-YAC); Washington State University, Vancouver, WA (TK); University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (DTM); Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (MM); MedStar Emergency Physicians, Olney, MD (DN); Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, San Jose, CA (CO); The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (KR); Yukon Kuskokwim Health, Bethel, AK (ER); Sunday Health, Vienna, VA (AS); Baptist Health System, Memphis, TN (BS); University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, MI (AV); University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (TW); American Society of Addiction Medicine, Rockville, MD (MB).

Journal of Addiction Medicine
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Long-term benzodiazepine (BZD) use is common despite guidelines. Research is needed to improve BZD tapering strategies, focusing on patient-centered outcomes and safety to reduce withdrawal risks.

Keywords:
benzodiazepinedrug dependencedrug taperingsubstance withdrawal syndromesubstance-related disorders

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Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Shugan Jieyu Capsules for the Treatment of Insomnia

Published on: February 17, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Practice Guidelines
  • Evidence Synthesis

Background:

  • Current guidelines recommend limiting benzodiazepine (BZD) use to 2-4 weeks.
  • Long-term BZD use persists due to dependence and withdrawal challenges.
  • This study evaluates evidence on BZD tapering and proposes research recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify research gaps in benzodiazepine (BZD) tapering literature.
  • To propose evidence-based research recommendations for BZD tapering.
  • To improve clinical decision-making for BZD tapering.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review (SR) conducted as part of guideline development.
  • Analysis of existing literature on BZD tapering strategies.
  • Incorporation of feedback from guideline development process.

Main Results:

  • Identified variability in tapering strategies, outcome measures, and methodological limitations.
  • Lack of data on safety and patient-reported outcomes in current literature.
  • Proposed research recommendations including comparative effectiveness trials, adjunctive interventions, adaptive approaches, long-acting agents, and shared decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Critical need for rigorous, standardized, patient-centered research on BZD tapering.
  • Addressing research gaps will enhance safety and effectiveness of tapering strategies.
  • Improved evidence supports better clinical decision-making for diverse patient populations.