Withdrawal responses to abrupt discontinuation of desmethyldiazepam.
The authors present the results of a controlled observation of withdrawal reactions accompanying cessation of desmethyldiazepam (clorazepate) therapy. The two subjects studied had had generalized anxiety disorder for several years; both were free from manifestations of other forms of psychopathology or addictive behavior patterns. Both patients maintained stable patterns of clorazepate use at modest doses for extended periods of time. The findings suggest that the long plasma half-life of clorazepate does not offer unique protection from withdrawal reactions associated with long-term therapy. Manifestations of these withdrawal reactions are indistinguishable from reactions associated with other benzodiazepine compounds.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D003975:Diazepam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D003708:Nordazepam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
D010919:Placebos; D003708:Nordazepam; D003975:Diazepam