[Contribution of electroencephalography in tranquilizer withdrawal syndromes]

Withdrawal syndromes after discontinuation of benzodiazepine or meprobamate administration are rarely observed, in spite of the large number of prescriptions given. Similar manifestations are noted as after barbiturate withdrawal, and appear 1 to 10 days after sudden interruption of prolonged treatment at high doses. The 6 cases reported include 4 patients with withdrawal syndromes after benzodiazepines (diazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam) and 2 after meprobamate. No evidence of epilepsy was found in the patients, who were hospitalized for treatment after suicidal attempts, or medication overdosage (phenothiazine) in one case. Withdrawal symptoms appeared between the 2nd and 7th day with confusion and/or generalized convulsions and paroxystic changes with slow spike-wave type on EEG tracings. In such cases, precise information must be obtained about previous medication in order that it may be readministered and the diagnosis of epilepsy avoided in patients with withdrawal symptoms.