1/3. Benzodiazepine prescription abuse and the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.benzodiazepines are among the most widely-prescribed medications in the world. Although tolerance is unlikely, abuse is widespread. Prescription abuse is especially common, with medication being taken for longer periods than intended, or at the wrong dosage, or for purposes not intended by the physician. Prolonged use, even at therapeutic levels, can produce a definite "benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome" with disturbing symptoms such as insomnia, twitching, and restlessness, leading to prolongation of the already inappropriate usage. Suggestions for reducing this abuse are discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Agitation observed during treatment with newer hypnotic drugs.Side effects involving agitation, e.g., sleepwalking, anger, and panic, were observed in 10 insomniac patients treated with temazepam or triazolam but not other benzodiazepines. Each patient described these side effects as uncharacteristic. Milder agitation was observed in 2 cases. In 4 cases, these effects were doubted by the prescribing physician. This type of side effect has been only slowly recognized for other benzodiazepines and has not been much reported for these newer agents. Agitation observed during treatment with these agents may be related to their short elimination half-lives.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. diazepam addiction: a case report.A case of addiction to diazepam is reported. Severe withdrawal symptoms such as tremulousness, irritability, increased psychomotor activity, generalized muscle cramps, photophobia, retro-orbital pains and insomnia are described. Visual hallucinations, illusions, and paranoid features are also present in this case. Detoxification and management were accomplished by gradual withdrawal and the addition of another tranquilizer, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant. The author reviews other such reports of abuse and addiction in the literature which call for wide recognition of the addictive properties of diazepam and for restrictions on its indiscriminate prescription by physicians.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physician (Clic here for more details about this article) |