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Previous Volume 328:1398-1405 May 13, 1993 Number 19 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Beginning with chlordiazepoxide in 1960, benzodiazepines have been used extensively for the treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Eight benzodiazepine derivatives have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for this purpose (Table 1). Another benzodiazepine, clonazepam, is also prescribed for this purpose but is labeled as an anticonvulsant.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Table 1. Benzodiazepine Anxiolytic Agents.

 
The clinical, pharmacokinetic, and neurochemical properties of the benzodiazepine derivatives have been the focus of many articles in the scientific literature^1,2,3,4,5,6. Much is known about their molecular mechanisms of action, properties of distribution and elimination, clinical activity, and side effects. Like many other classes . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Target Disorders

Clinical Features

Prevalence and Consequences

Pharmacologic Treatment

Approach to the Pharmacologic Treatment of Anxiety

The Decision to Treat

Choice of Specific Medication

Initiation and Maintenance of Treatment

Side Effects of Benzodiazepines

Predictable, Common Side Effects

Paradoxical Effects

Tolerance, Abuse, Dependence, and Discontinuation

Tolerance

Abuse

Dependence

Discontinuation of Benzodiazepines

            Recurrence

            Rebound

            Withdrawal

Discontinuation of Benzodiazepines with Short Half-Lives

The Persistent Benzodiazepine Discontinuation Syndrome

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Division of Clinical Pharmacology, New England Medical Center Hospital, Boston.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Shader at the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111.

References

Related Letters:

Use of Benzodiazepines in Anxiety Disorders
Powell G., Gross H. S., Shader R. I., Greenblatt D. J.
Extract | Full Text  
N Engl J Med 1993; 329:1500-1501, Nov 11, 1993. Correspondence

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