Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Pharmacology of Benzodiazepines

  • Chapter
The Pharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse and Addiction

  • 244 Accesses

Abstract

The benzodiazepines have been and remain among the most prescribed drugs in the United States and the world since their introduction in 1961. Of interest is that four of the 10 most commonly written prescriptions in 1987 were for drugs used for the relief of pain and anxiety; currently, 1 of these is the benzodiazepine Xanax.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Anon (1988). Top 200 drugs of 1987. Am Druggist197 (2):36–52.

    Google Scholar 

  2. DuPont RL, ed. (1988). Abuse of benzodiazepines: The problems and the solutions. A report of a committee of the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 14(Suppl l):l–69.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Noyes R, Garvey MJ, Cook BL, et al. (1988). Benzodiazepine withdrawal: A review of the evidence. J Clin Psychiatry49 (10):382–389.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. American Medical Association (1987). Drug Evaluations, Antianxiety and Hypnotic Drugs, 6th Ed., pp. 86–103. Chicago: American Medical Association.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Owen RT, Tyrer P (1983). Benzodiazepine dependence: A review of the evidence. Drugs25:385–398.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ashton H (1987). Benzodiazepine withdrawal: Outcome in 50 patients. Br J Addict82:665–671.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lader M (1983). Dependence on benzodiazepines. J Clin Psychiatry44:121–127.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ashton H (1984). Benzodiazepine withdrawal: An unfinished story. Br Med J288:1135–1140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Griffiths RR, Sannerud CA (1987). Abuse of and dependence on benzodiazepines and other anxiolytic/sedative drugs. In Psychopharmacology, Meitzer HY, ed., pp. 1535–1541. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Clinthorne MA, Cisin IH, Balter MB (1986). Changes in popular attitudes and belief about tranquilizers. Arch Gen Psychiatry43:527–532.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ashton H (1986). Adverse effects of prolonged benzodiazepine use. Adverse Drug Reac Bull118:440–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Miller NS, Dackis CA, Gold MS (1987). The relationship of addiction, tolerance and dependence: A neurochemical approach. JSubst Abuse Treat4:197–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. National Institute on Drug Abuse (1982). National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (1979–1981). Washington, DC: US Govt. Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  14. National Institute on Drug Abuse (1985). National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (1982–1984). Washington, DC: US Govt. Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mellinger GD, Balter MB, Uhlenhuth ET (1984). Antianxiety agents: Duration of use and characteristics of users in the USA. CurrMed Res Opin8 (Suppl): 4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Mellinger GD, Baiter MB, Uhlenhuth ET (1984). Prevalence and correlates of the long-term regular use of anxiolytics. JAMA251 (3): 375–379.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Smith DE, Wesson DR, eds. (1985). The Benzodiazepines: Current Standards for Medical Practice. Lancashire, UK: MTP Press Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Smith DE, Wesson DR (1983). Benzodiazepine dependence syndromes. J Psy-choact Drugs15 (l–2): 85–95.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Rosenberg HC, Chiù TH (1985). Time course for development of benzodiazepine tolerance and physical dependence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev9:123–131.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Rickels MD, Case G, Schweizer EE, et al. (1986). Low-dose dependence in chronic benzodiazepine users: A preliminary report on 119 patients. Psycho-pharmacol Bull 22(2):407–415.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Busto U, Sellers EM, Claudio NA, et al. (1986). Withdrawal reaction after long-term therapeutic use of benzodiazepines. N Engl J Med, 000:854–869.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Juergens SM, Morse RM (1988). Alprazolam dependence in seven patients. Am J Psychiatry145 (5): 625–627.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Murphey SM, Tyrer P (1988). The essence of benzodiazepine dependence. In The Psychopharmacology of Addiction, Lader M, ed., pp. 157–166. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Tyrer PJ, Seivewright N (1984). Identification and management of benzodiazepine dependence. Postgrad Med J60 (Suppl 2): 41–46.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Tyrer P, Rutherford D, Huggett T (1981). Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms and propranolol. Lancet1:520–522.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Lader M, Olajide D (1987). A comparison of buspirone ahd placebo in relieving benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. J Clin Psychopharmacol7 (1): 11–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Pertusson H, Lader MH (1981). Withdrawal from long-term benzodiazepine treatment. Br Med J 283:643–645.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Greenblatt DJ, Harmatz JS, Zinny MA, Shader RI (1987). Effect of gradual withdrawal on the rebound sleep disorder after discontinuation of triazolam. N EnglJ Med317:772–728.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mellman T, Uhde TW (1986). Withdrawal syndrome with gradual tapering of alprazolam. Am J Psychiatry143 (11): 1464–1466.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Lader M (1988). The psychopharmacology of addiction: Benzodiazepine tolerance and dependence. In The Psychopharmacology of Addiction, Lader M, ed., pp. 1–13. Cambridge: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Hallstrom L, Lader M (1981). Benzodiazepine withdrawal phenomena. Int Pharmacopsychiatry16:235–244.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Fyer A, Liebowitz Mil, Gorman JM, et al. (1987). Discontinuation of alprazolam treatment in panic patients. Am J Psychiatry144:303–308.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Robins LN, Heizer JE, Przybeck TR, et al. (1988). Alcohol disorders in the community: A report from the epidemiological catchement area. In Alcoholism: Origins and Outcome, Rose RM, Barrett J, eds., pp. 15–29. New York: Raven Press.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Greenblatt DJ, Shader RI, Divoll M, et al. (1981). Benzodiazepines: A summary of pharmacokinetic properties. Br J Clin Pharmacol (Suppl) 11:11S–16S.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Haefely W (1986). Biological basis of drug-induced tolerance, rebound and dependence. Contribution of recent research on benzodiazepines. Pharmacopsychiatry19:353–361.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Jaffe JH (1985). In The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th Ed., Gilman AG, Goodman LS, Rail TW, Murad F, eds., pp. 532–581. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Sellers EM, Marshman JA, Kaplan HL, et al. (1981). Acute and chronic drug abuse emergencies in metropolitan Toronto. Int J Addict16 (2): 283–303.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Grantham P (1987). Benzodiazepine abuse. Br JHosp Med37:999–1001.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Perera KMH, Tulley M, Jenner FA (1987). The use of benzodiazepines among drug addicts. Br J Addict82:511–515.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Schuster CL, Humphries RH (1981). Benzodiazepine dependency in alcoholics. Conn Med45 (1): 11–13.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Cappell H, Busto U, Kay G (1987). Drug deprivation and reinforcement by diazepam in a dependent population. Psychopharmacology91:154–160.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. American Psychiatric Association (1987). Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3d Ed. (revised ), pp. 165–186. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Busto U, Sellers EM (1986). Pharmacokinetic determinants of drug abuse and dependence: A conceptual perspective. Clin Pharmacokinet11:144–153.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Perry PJ, Alexander B (1986). Sedative/hypnotic dependence: Patient stabilization, tolerance testing and withdrawal. Drug Intell Clin Pharm20:532–536.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Harrison M, Busto U, Naranjo CA (1984). Diazepam tapering in detoxification for high-dose benzodiazepine abuse. Clin Pharmacol Ther36 (4): 527–533.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Griffiths RR, Bigelow GE, Liebson I (1983). Differential effects of diazepam and pentobarbital on mood and behavior. Arch Gen Psychiatry40:865–873.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Chan AWK (1984). Effects of combined alcohol and benzodiazepine: A review. Drug A Icohol Depend13:315–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Miller NS, Mirin SM (1989). Multiple drug use in alcoholics: Practical and theoretical implications. Psychiatr Ann19 (5): 248–255.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Greenblatt DJ, Shader RI, Divoll M, et al. (1981). Benzodiazepines: A summary of pharmacokinetic properties. Br J Clin Pharmacol (Suppl) 11:11S–16S.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Perry PJ, Alexander B (1986). Sedative/hypnotic dependence: Patient stabilization, tolerance, testing and withdrawal. Drug Intell Clin Pharm20:532–536.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cornell University Medical College, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 21 Bloomingdale Road, 10605, New York, USA

    Norman S. Miller M.D.

Authors
  1. Norman S. Miller M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer-Verlag New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Miller, N.S. (1991). The Pharmacology of Benzodiazepines. In: The Pharmacology of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse and Addiction. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3044-1_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3044-1_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7774-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-3044-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation