Benzodiazepines: Difference between revisions

Line 15:

*'''[[Physical effects: Euphoria|Euphoria]]'''

*'''[[Cognitive effects: Suppression of information processing|Suppression of information processing]]'''

*'''[[Physical effects: Dizziness|~~Dizzness~~]]'''

*'''[[Physical effects: Dizziness|Dizziness]]'''

*'''[[Physical effects: Loss of motor control|Loss of motor control]]'''

Line 25:

*[[Lorazepam]]

*[[Phenazepam]]

==Discontinuation==

It is notoriously difficult to discontinue use of benzodiazepines, and potentially life threatening for tolerant individuals using regularly to do so without tapering their dose over a period of weeks. Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of GABA receptors, so as the brain is calibrated to operate with higher than usual inhibition, the number of GABA receptors expressed is reduced via downregulation. Abrupt discontinuation following chronic use of benzodiazepines causes rebound stimulation which presents as anxiety, insomnia and restlessness while the body attempts to return to homeostasis.

Duration and severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors including the half life of the drug used, tolerance and the duration of abuse. Major symptoms will usually start within just a few days after discontinuation and persist for around a week for shorter lasting benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines with longer half-lives will exhibit discontinuation symptoms with a slow onset and extended duration.

==See Also==

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 *'''[[Physical effects: Euphoria|Euphoria]]'''
 *'''[[Cognitive effects: Suppression of information processing|Suppression of information processing]]'''
-*'''[[Physical effects: Dizziness|Dizzness]]'''
+*'''[[Physical effects: Dizziness|Dizziness]]'''
 *'''[[Physical effects: Loss of motor control|Loss of motor control]]'''
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 *[[Lorazepam]]
 *[[Phenazepam]]
+==Discontinuation==
+It is notoriously difficult to discontinue use of benzodiazepines, and potentially life threatening for tolerant individuals using regularly to do so without tapering their dose over a period of weeks. Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of GABA receptors, so as the brain is calibrated to operate with higher than usual inhibition, the number of GABA receptors expressed is reduced via downregulation. Abrupt discontinuation following chronic use of benzodiazepines causes rebound stimulation which presents as anxiety, insomnia and restlessness while the body attempts to return to homeostasis.
+Duration and severity of symptoms depends on a number of factors including the half life of the drug used, tolerance and the duration of abuse. Major symptoms will usually start within just a few days after discontinuation and persist for around a week for shorter lasting benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines with longer half-lives will exhibit discontinuation symptoms with a slow onset and extended duration.
 ==See Also==