Treatment of benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms with carbamazepine

• Published in: European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience Vol. 241; no. 3; p. 145
• Main Authors: Garcia-Borreguero, D, Bronisch, T, Apelt, S, Yassouridis, A, Emrich, H M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.01.1991
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Anxiety Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Anxiety Agents - adverse effects; Anxiety - chemically induced; Anxiety - psychology; Arousal - drug effects; Carbamazepine - administration & dosage; Crisis Intervention; Depression - chemically induced; Depression - psychology; Diazepam - administration & dosage; Diazepam - adverse effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurologic Examination; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - psychology; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome - rehabilitation; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
• ISSN: 0940-1334
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02219713

In 18 patients with a benzodiazepine (BZD) dependency the drug was withdrawn. The dose of BZD was gradually reduced in nine of the patients, while the others were additionally treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) for a further 15 days after BZD discontinuation. Withdrawal symptoms were assessed every third day during the study period. When comparing results in both groups, a clear trend towards less severe withdrawal symptoms could be observed in the group treated with CBZ. Some of the differences were statistically significant on days 9-12 after BZD withdrawal. Fundamental withdrawal symptoms (like hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli, abnormal perception of movement, depersonalisation or derealisation) were also less severe in the group treated with CBZ compared with the group not receiving that treatment. These findings support the results of previous reports indicating a therapeutical effect of CBZ in BZD withdrawal.