title: Withdrawal after substitution of a short-acting for a long-acting benzodiazepine.
abstract: A withdrawal syndrome occurred in two patients after substitution of a short-acting benzodiazepine for a long-acting benzodiazepine. Both patients had used long-acting benzodiazepines on a daily basis for many years. In one case, oxazepam was substituted for diazepam, and in the other, temazepam was substituted for flurazepam hydrochloride. In both cases the short-acting benzodiazepine was substituted in a once-daily dosage. Withdrawal symptoms followed and persisted for at least one month. Relative advantages and disadvantages of short-acting and long-acting benzodiazepines are discussed.
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005479:Flurazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D010076:Oxazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D013693:Temazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010076:Oxazepam; D013693:Temazepam; D005479:Flurazepam; D003975:Diazepam