title: Temazepam 'Planpak', a fixed-dose reduction regimen for withdrawing benzodiazepine hypnotics: results of a general practice survey.
abstract: In a general practice survey of the use of Temazepam 'Planpak' ('Planpak'), 31 participating doctors completed questionnaires on 250 patients. Of these, 228 patients had been taking a variety of 8 benzodiazepine hypnotics prior to 'Planpak' therapy while 22 (8.8%) patients received 'Planpak' as a short course, without prior hypnotic therapy. Of the patients being weaned off benzodiazepines with 'Planpak', the majority had been on therapy for longer than 1 year (mean 5.36 +/- 5.58 years, range 0.08 to 22.9 years). Success (68%) or partial success (13%) was achieved in 81% of patients (95% confidence interval 77% to 86%) in terms of total abstinence from or reduced use of hypnotic for at least 1 month after 'Planpak' therapy. Outcome was not related statistically to gender, type, or duration of previous hypnotic therapy. Twenty-six patients received from one to three additional courses of 'Planpak' and 177 (71%) were not taking hypnotics at the time of the survey which represented a mean follow-up of 9.19 +/- 5.36 months (range 1.7 to 36.5 months).
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Farmitalia Carlo Erba Ltd., St. Albans, England.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drake
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013693:Temazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; D013693:Temazepam