Benzodiazepine Reform

Kindling KINDLING OVERVIEW[3] Many patients report that they have previously discontinued the use of benzodiazepines without any repercussions (or with only mild, short-lived withdrawal). However,… Read More »Kindling

The Language of Harmful Use The language we use to describe a patient’s relationship with medications can have an outsized effect on the doctor-patient relationship… Read More »The Language of Harmful Use

Physiological Dependence and Addiction Chronic prescription and use of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs can lead to physiological dependence.  As noted in a study in 1990, “Depending… Read More »Physiological Dependence and Addiction

Sensitization to Fluoroquinolones [8] Fluoroquinolones are very powerful antibiotics which can be dangerous to users or previous users of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. Throughout this discussion,… Read More »Fluoroquinolone Sensitization

Interactions with Benzodiazepines or Z-Drugs, and Other Drugs Drug-drug interactions often amplify the effects and side effects of the medications involved and may introduce new… Read More »Interactions with Benzodiazepines or Z-Drugs, and Other Drugs

Side Effects of Benzos and Z-Drugs Benzodiazepine and Z-drug adverse reactions are many, diverse and range from mild to catastrophic, even life-threatening.   See the… Read More »Side Effects of Benzos and Z-Drugs

Benzodiazepine-Induced or Increased Symptoms Many of the side effects are related to their neuropharmacology.  Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs achieve their desired effects by increasing the availability… Read More »Benzodiazepine-Induced or Increased Symptoms

BZWS Symptoms The following is a list of some of the symptoms experienced during withdrawal from benzodiazepines, as extracted from the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome page of Wikipedia and other… Read More »BZWS Symptoms

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BZWS) Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome (BZWS) can result from the chronic prescription and use of benzodiazepines or Z-drugs.  It can occur whether or… Read More »Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome (BZWS)

Ineffective Over Time Alprazolam was approved by the FDA based on data showing it to be effective over a period of four weeks. Subsequent studies… Read More »BZRAs Are Ineffective Over Time