Treatment Experiences of High Dose Lorazepam Dependence: Two Case Reports / 대한정신약물학회지

ABSTRACT

Drugs of the benzodiazepine family pharmacologically have superior anti-anxiety, sedative, anti-convulsant, and muscle relaxant effect resulting in its popular use not only in psychiatry but in other field of medicine. However, the long term use of benzodiazepines may cause to question the efficacy and may amount to dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms thus leading to sociologic problems. The treatment strategies of benzodiazepine dependence consist of gradual dosage reduction, the substitution to a long half-life benzodiazepine, and providing psychological support. We present two treatment experiences of high dose lorazepam dependence along with the review of corresponding literature.