A Double-Blind Comparison of the Effects of Gradual Withdrawal of Lorazepam, Diazepam and Bromazepam in Benzodiazepine Dependence

1991 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhan M. Murphy ◽  
Peter Tyrer
Keyword(s):  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Benzodiazepine Dependence ◽  
Blind Comparison

Using a double-blind procedure, 68 patients with putative benzodiazepine dependence were randomly allocated to one of three groups given lorazepam (n = 22), diazepam (n = 23) or bromazepam (n = 23) in doses equivalent to those of the patients' original benzodiazepine. After four weeks the dosage was reduced in 25% quantities until no further benzodiazepines were taken. A total of 23 patients dropped out during the study, ten on lorazepam (one of whom committed suicide), seven on diazepam and six on bromazepam. There were few differences in withdrawal symptoms between the three groups but, despite the higher dropout rate, these symptoms were somewhat less marked in the lorazepam group. Withdrawal symptoms were greater in patients who had taken a benzodiazepine for > 5 years and were most marked in those with personality disorders, predominantly dependent ones.

A Controlled Trial of Dothiepin and Placebo in Treating Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Tyrer ◽  
Brian Ferguson ◽  
Cosmo Hallström ◽  
Marian Michie ◽  
Stephen Tyrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Drug Withdrawal ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Benzodiazepine Dependence ◽  
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal ◽  
To Receive

BackgroundThe possibility that treatment with tricyclic antidepressants, in the form of dothiepin, might attenuate benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms was investigated in a double-blind trial.MethodEighty-seven non-depressed psychiatric out-patients with putative normal dose benzodiazepine dependence had their benzodiazepines reduced in stepwise amounts of 20% of the original dose for eight weeks. The patients were randomised to receive dothiepin (with dosage increasing to 150 mg/day) or placebo as an aid to withdrawal before benzodiazepine reduction and these drugs were taken for four further weeks before being stopped.ResultsFewer patients entered and completed the study than expected and a Type II error was possible in the results. Although there was some evidence of withdrawal symptoms being less marked in those patients allocated to dothiepin this was independent of any antidepressant effect as depression scores were lower in the placebo group in the early phase of withdrawal (P<0.01). Of those completing the study, greater satisfaction (P=0.03) was recorded by those who had received dothiepin; no other differences reached statistical significance.ConclusionsDothiepin (and by implication other tricyclic antidepressants) might have some value in reducing benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms but does not aid drug withdrawal.

A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Buspirone in Diazepam Withdrawal in Chronic Benzodiazepine Users

1990 ◽  
Vol 157 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Ashton ◽  
M. D. Rawlins ◽  
S. P. Tyrer
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dropout Rate ◽  
Withdrawal Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Diazepam Withdrawal ◽  
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 23 chronic benzodiazepine users showed that overall, buspirone did not appear to be helpful in alleviating benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Buspirone (5 mg t.d.s.) or placebo was administered for four weeks before, during and after diazepam withdrawal. Patients taking buspirone had a markedly higher dropout rate (seven out of 11) than those taking placebo (one out of 12). Mean daily diazepam dosage at entry was significantly higher in the buspirone group, but overall initial diazepam dosage was not related to outcome. Higher subjectively rated anxiety at the start of withdrawal was significantly related to higher dropout rate, irrespective of treatment, and was greater (although not significantly so) in the buspirone group.

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