Abstract
This article introduces a special isssue of Current Pharmaceutial Design focusing on the various side effects of benzodiazepine medications. We argue that an increased awareness of the risk of dependence, withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, and cognitive side effects of the benzodiazepines has likely contributed to the decline in their prescription rate over the last two decades, as has increased availability of alternative pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for anxiety and insomnia. The present special issue consists of series of five papers covering current issues in the area of benzodiazepine side effects. These reviews cover a wide range of topics pertaining to adverse, unintended consequences of this class of pharmacologic agents including their potential for tolerance and withdrawal, their profile of associated cognitive impairments, as well as current understanding of means for minimizing these unintended effects. The reviews also cover a variety of methodologies and disciplines from laboratory-based research findings with animals, to laboratory-based studies wth healthy human volunteers, to findings obtained in the clinic with anxious pat ients. All reviews are timely contributions, covering highly relevant topics for consideration of benzodiazepine side effects at present. The papers presented herein should serve to stimulate future research that may ultimately help improve the quality of life of those patients living with debilitating anxiety-related conditions.
Keywords: Benzodiazepine
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Introduction to the Special Issue on: Benzodiazepine Side-Effects: From the Bench to the Clinic
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
Author(s): S. H. Stewart and H. A. Westra
Affiliation:
Keywords: Benzodiazepine
Abstract: This article introduces a special isssue of Current Pharmaceutial Design focusing on the various side effects of benzodiazepine medications. We argue that an increased awareness of the risk of dependence, withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation, and cognitive side effects of the benzodiazepines has likely contributed to the decline in their prescription rate over the last two decades, as has increased availability of alternative pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments for anxiety and insomnia. The present special issue consists of series of five papers covering current issues in the area of benzodiazepine side effects. These reviews cover a wide range of topics pertaining to adverse, unintended consequences of this class of pharmacologic agents including their potential for tolerance and withdrawal, their profile of associated cognitive impairments, as well as current understanding of means for minimizing these unintended effects. The reviews also cover a variety of methodologies and disciplines from laboratory-based research findings with animals, to laboratory-based studies wth healthy human volunteers, to findings obtained in the clinic with anxious pat ients. All reviews are timely contributions, covering highly relevant topics for consideration of benzodiazepine side effects at present. The papers presented herein should serve to stimulate future research that may ultimately help improve the quality of life of those patients living with debilitating anxiety-related conditions.
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Cite this article as:
Stewart H. S. and Westra A. H., Introduction to the Special Issue on: Benzodiazepine Side-Effects: From the Bench to the Clinic, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2002; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023396708
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612023396708 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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