A case report of preferential effectiveness of clonazepam over lorazepam in the management of a case of alprazolam withdrawal

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) remain the mainstay in the management of withdrawal arising out of BZD use disorders. The choice of detoxifying agent is determined by the duration of action and also by the metabolic properties of the drug. Very rarely, we consider the chemical properties of the drug that we...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vrinda Saxena, Robin Victor, Arghya Pal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2018-01-01
Series:Journal of Geriatric Mental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jgmh.org/article.asp?issn=2348-9995;year=2018;volume=5;issue=2;spage=165;epage=166;aulast=Saxena
Description
Summary:Benzodiazepines (BZDs) remain the mainstay in the management of withdrawal arising out of BZD use disorders. The choice of detoxifying agent is determined by the duration of action and also by the metabolic properties of the drug. Very rarely, we consider the chemical properties of the drug that we choose, though occasionally that may have profound clinical impact on the outcome. In this case report, we present the case of alprazolam withdrawal that was ineffectively managed by lorazepam and finally salvaged by the use of clonazepam. The chemical properties of the molecules involved and their clinical importance in the decision-making process have been subsequently reviewed.
ISSN:2348-9995
2395-3322