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Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BZD withdrawal) is the cluster of signs and symptoms that may emerge when a person who has been taking benzodiazepines as prescribed develops a physical dependence on them and then reduces the dose or stops taking them without a safe taper schedule. Typically, benzodiazepine withdrawal is characterized by ...
The success of gradual-tapering benzodiazepines is as great in the elderly as in younger people. Benzodiazepines should be prescribed to the elderly only with caution and only for a short period at low doses. [100] [101] Short to intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are preferred in the elderly such as oxazepam and temazepam.
Benzodiazepines, when introduced in 1961, were widely believed to be safe drugs but as the decades went by increased awareness of adverse effects connected to their long-term use became known. Recommendations for more restrictive medical guidelines followed.
Three basic approaches to the taper are using the same medication for tapering, adding adjunctive medication for alleviating withdrawal symptoms, and switching to a longer-acting equivalent. [14] One of the recommended benzodiazepine taper is to reduce the dose by 50% in the first 4 weeks, maintain the dose for 1–2 months, and then reduce the ...
The tables below contain a sample list of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine analogs that are commonly prescribed, with their basic pharmacological characteristics, such as half-life and equivalent doses to other benzodiazepines, also listed, along with their trade names and primary uses.
Benzodiazepines can be addictive and induce dependence even at low doses, with 23% becoming addicted within 3 months of use. Benzodiazepine addiction is considered a public health problem. Approximately 68.5% of prescriptions of benzodiazepines originate from local health centers, with psychiatry and general hospitals accounting for 10% each.
Generally, tapering is done to avoid or minimize withdrawal symptoms that arise from neurobiological adaptation to the drug. [1] [2] Prescribed psychotropic drugs that may require tapering due to this physical dependence include opioids, [3] [4] [5] selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, [6] antipsychotics, [7] anticonvulsants, [8] and ...
The most commonly used agents are long-acting benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam. These are believed to be superior to other benzodiazepines for treatment of delirium and allow for longer periods between doses. However, benzodiazepines with intermediate half-lives like lorazepam may be safer in people with liver problems. [34]