Clinical management of withdrawal from benzodiazepine anxiolytic and hypnotic medications.

Abstract

Benzodiazepines continue to be prescribed widely in the management of patients with insomnia or anxiety disorders, despite the availability and acceptability of alternative pharmacological and psychological treatments. Many patients will experience adverse effects during treatment and considerable distress when the dosage is reduced and stopped. Management of benzodiazepine withdrawal includes measures to prevent the development of dependence, careful attention to underlying medical conditions, medication consolidation and gradual dosage reduction, accompanying psychological interventions, occasional prescription of concomitant medication, and relapse prevention with on-going support to address psychosocial stressors. There are needs for easier patient access to services with refined expertise and for further research to optimise strategies for preventing dependence and facilitating withdrawal.

• Authors: David S Baldwin
• Journal: Addiction (Abingdon, England) (Addiction) Vol. 117 Issue 5 Pg. 1472-1482 (05 2022) ISSN: 1360-0443 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 34542216 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2021 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Hypnotics and Sedatives
• Benzodiazepines

Topics

• Anti-Anxiety Agents (adverse effects)
• Benzodiazepines (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hypnotics and Sedatives (adverse effects)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (drug therapy, etiology)
• Substance-Related Disorders (therapy)