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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

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Benzodiazepine dependence.

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    Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry
    |January 1, 1984
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Benzodiazepine dependence can occur even with therapeutic doses after a few months of use. Withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety and perceptual changes, were observed in patients, highlighting the need for caution in prescribing these drugs.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Neuroscience
    • Clinical Medicine

    Background:

    • Benzodiazepine dependence is challenging to induce in animals but occurs in humans with high doses.
    • Case reports of benzodiazepine dependence are rare, lacking epidemiological data on risk.
    • Long-term use (≥4 months) may lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, dysphoria, and perceptual changes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To compare benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome intensity in patients using high versus therapeutic doses.
    • To investigate withdrawal reactions in patients on long-term, normal-dose benzodiazepine treatment under controlled conditions.

    Main Methods:

    • Study 1: Compared withdrawal in 4 high-dose and 6 therapeutic-dose benzodiazepine patients.
    • Study 2: Gradual, placebo-controlled, double-blind discontinuation in 24 patients on long-term normal-dose treatment.
    • EEG and psychological performance were monitored during withdrawal.

    Main Results:

    • Withdrawal syndrome intensity was similar in high-dose and therapeutic-dose groups.
    • All 24 patients in Study 2 experienced withdrawal reactions, ranging from anxiety to perceptual changes.
    • Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed reduced fast-wave activity during withdrawal, with improved psychological performance.

    Conclusions:

    • A risk of benzodiazepine dependence exists for all patients using these drugs, even at therapeutic doses for extended periods.
    • Gradual, monitored withdrawal is recommended.
    • Caution is advised when prescribing benzodiazepines due to dependence risk.