After prescribing no benzodiazepines

Abstract EN

A recent review (Farlotta et al 1994) regretted the small number of controlled studies on patients who discontinue Benzodiazepines (BZP).

Method: Fifty three patients treated with BZP continuously > 3 months were studied as their own controls after discontinuation of BZP at the only psychiatric clinic in Qatar.

A simple clinic assessment of patients outcome was made before and after BZP discontinuation as remitted (= symptom-free), partially improved (= retaining some sympotms) and unimproved .

Results : A significantly better outcome was found after substituting BZP with tricyclic Results : A significantly better outcome was found after substituting BZP with tricyclic antidepressants and/or small doses of neuroleptics especially in anxiety disorders, younger patients and those receiving antidepressants.

Discussion : The better outcome in younger patients and anxiolytic role of tricyclic antidepressants were confirmed.

No support could be found to the relevance of type, dosage and duration of BZP therapy concerning the outcome of substitute therapies after BZP discontinuation.

Conclusion : Restrictive use of BZP to a few weeks in acute cases should be the prophylactic dictum.

The use of antidepressants in the treatment of anxiety disorders should be preferred to BZP