Withdrawal phenomena after long-term administration of benzodiazepines. A review of recent investigations.
Recent studies report the occurrence of withdrawal reactions in a significant number of patients after long-term use of benzodiazepines, i.e. daily use for one year or more. The abstinence syndrome is partially characterized by anxiety, dysphoria, sleep disturbances and other unspecific symptoms. In addition, some patients experience symptoms, which, so far, have not been described as typical part of a withdrawal syndrome, especially disturbances of sensory perception. The withdrawal syndrome is less acutely distressing than a classical withdrawal syndrome of the barbiturate type, but occasionally it can show a protracted course.
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006801:Humans; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines