Depressant substances in adolescent medicine.
The benzodiazepines have replaced widespread use of barbiturates and other sedatives. They are effective, safe medicines used to treat a variety of disorders associated with excessive CNS excitability. Although many physicians avoid prescribing benzodiazepines to adolescents, there is little evidence to support this practice. Unless an adolescent has a history of substance abuse/dependence and suicidal ideation, the benzodiazepines are safe. Benzodiazepine toxicity rarely occurs unless another CNS depressant, especially alcohol, is used concurrently.
DuPont
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Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc, Rockville, MD 20852.
Saylor
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D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D001463:Barbiturates; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
D001463:Barbiturates; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000431:Ethanol