Abstract
In many people, long-term benzodiazepine (BZ) use produces dependence with manifestation of withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation of BZ treatment. The current therapy of BZ dependence in humans utilizes gradual dose-taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms and supportive psychotherapy to help patients cope with withdrawal reactions. The failure of dose-taper in many patients has triggered intensive animal research to find additional pharmacological treatments. The present article reviews evidence from animal studies on effectiveness of pharmacological treatment for BZ dependence and withdrawal. It explores the risk-benefit profiles of putative therapies for BZ withdrawal, including drugs acting via benzodiazepine receptors, serotonergic and noradrenergic agents, cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, and other miscellaneous agents.
Keywords: Benzodiazepine Withdrawal, Cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B), Baclofen, Benzodiazepine
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: The Experimental Pharmacotherapy of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
Author(s): J. Podhorna
Affiliation:
Keywords: Benzodiazepine Withdrawal, Cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B), Baclofen, Benzodiazepine
Abstract: In many people, long-term benzodiazepine (BZ) use produces dependence with manifestation of withdrawal symptoms after abrupt cessation of BZ treatment. The current therapy of BZ dependence in humans utilizes gradual dose-taper to avoid withdrawal symptoms and supportive psychotherapy to help patients cope with withdrawal reactions. The failure of dose-taper in many patients has triggered intensive animal research to find additional pharmacological treatments. The present article reviews evidence from animal studies on effectiveness of pharmacological treatment for BZ dependence and withdrawal. It explores the risk-benefit profiles of putative therapies for BZ withdrawal, including drugs acting via benzodiazepine receptors, serotonergic and noradrenergic agents, cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, and other miscellaneous agents.
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Cite this article as:
Podhorna J., The Experimental Pharmacotherapy of Benzodiazepine Withdrawal, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2002; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023396636
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023396636 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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