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Benzodiazepine Dependence

Benzodiazepine Dependence Classical pharmacological dependence accompanied by euphoria, clinical evidence of tolerance and escalation of dosage are very rare with the benzodiazepines. However, there is now abundant evidence that prolonged administration of doses within the therapeutic range leads to true dependence in a significant minority of patients. This dependence is characterised by withdrawal symptoms on stopping treatment; these include perceptual disturbances, epileptic seizures, weight loss, insomnia and autonomic symptoms. As some of the symptoms are qualitatively different from those of anxiety neurosis, and as the withdrawal syndrome commonly lasts between 5 and 15 days, the possibility that the symptoms represent a return of pre-existing anxiety can be discounted. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Drugs Springer Journals

Benzodiazepine Dependence

Owen, R.; Tyrer, P.
Drugs , Volume 25 (4) – Oct 18, 2012
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References (93)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Pharmacotherapy; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Internal Medicine
ISSN
0012-6667
eISSN
1179-1950
DOI
10.2165/00003495-198325040-00003
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Classical pharmacological dependence accompanied by euphoria, clinical evidence of tolerance and escalation of dosage are very rare with the benzodiazepines. However, there is now abundant evidence that prolonged administration of doses within the therapeutic range leads to true dependence in a significant minority of patients. This dependence is characterised by withdrawal symptoms on stopping treatment; these include perceptual disturbances, epileptic seizures, weight loss, insomnia and autonomic symptoms. As some of the symptoms are qualitatively different from those of anxiety neurosis, and as the withdrawal syndrome commonly lasts between 5 and 15 days, the possibility that the symptoms represent a return of pre-existing anxiety can be discounted.

Journal

Drugs – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 18, 2012

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