ABSTRACT
Two types of benzodiazepine dependence have been described: high vs. therapeutic dose dependence. So far, no systematic research has been conducted regarding the frequency with which the various benzodiazepines are represented in one type or the other. In this study, 153 dependent patients using 14 different benzodiazepines were evaluated to assess the prevalence of their use among high vs. therapeutic dose dependents. Triazolam was the single drug most frequently used by high-dose dependents, followed by Lorazepam. No significant differences were found among benzodiazepines regarding their use by therapeutic dose dependents. Our data shows that pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors appear to be related to the frequency with which the different benzodiazepines are used by high and therapeutic dose dependents.
Subject(s)
Anti-Anxiety Agents , Substance-Related Disorders/classification , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anti-Anxiety Agents/administration & dosage , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Spain/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Substance-Related Disorders/rehabilitation , Triazolam/administration & dosageABSTRACT
In this study, we present five cases of seizures following withdrawal of flunitrazepam, lorazepam, or triazolam, representing 3% of a sample consisting of 153 patients dependent on benzodiazepines. Both abrupt cessation of benzodiazepine intake and high-dose use seem to be critical for the appearance of seizures. Pharmacological features, such as short elimination half-life and high potency, might explain the higher risk of seizures observed in these patients.
