Temazepam
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Temazepam Depene.ee with loB, terM ale Short-actina benzodiazepine hypnotics are beina prescribed increasingly because of the assumption that they pose no addiction risk. HOWever, addiction to temazepam has been reported recently in a 22-year-old man wbo gave a 2-year history of regular temazepam ingestion, usually in association with alcohol (average, 2-4 pints of beer daily). He was oriainally started on temazepam IO-20mg nightly for insomnia, but over the next 8 months, he increased his intake to as much as I OOmg nightly. In addition, he would occasionally take a temazepam tablet during the day to abolish withdraWal symptoms (tremors). When seen by a physician, he had stopped temazepam for 3 days to 'kick the habit'. He had moderate withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety. tension, restlessness. insomnia, vivid dreams, loss of appetite and hand tremors. He was switched to chlormethiazole over the next 12 weeks, with gradual withdrawal. Later, he was stabilised on amitriptyline 25mg nightly. with no further addiction problems. RaIna. L.: BritiSh Medical Journal 282 : 1837 (6 Jun./ 1981) 0157 7271 ' 81 0717 0007 '0$00.50 /0 cADIS Press Reactions 17 J",'1981 7
Transcript of Temazepam
Temazepam
Depene.ee with loB, terM ale Short-actina benzodiazepine hypnotics are beina prescribed increasingly because of the assumption that they pose no addiction risk. HOWever, addiction to temazepam has been reported recently in a 22-year-old man wbo gave a 2-year history of regular temazepam ingestion, usually in association with alcohol (average, 2-4 pints of beer daily). He was oriainally started on temazepam IO-20mg nightly for insomnia, but over the next 8 months, he increased his intake to as much as I OOmg nightly. In addition, he would occasionally take a temazepam tablet during the day to abolish withdraWal symptoms (tremors). When seen by a physician, he had stopped temazepam for 3 days to 'kick the habit'. He had moderate withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety. tension, restlessness. insomnia, vivid dreams, loss of appetite and hand tremors. He was switched to chlormethiazole over the next 12 weeks, with gradual withdrawal. Later, he was stabilised on amitriptyline 25mg nightly. with no further addiction problems. RaIna. L.: BritiSh Medical Journal 282: 1837 (6 Jun./ 1981)
0157 7271 ' 81 0717 0007 '0$00.50 /0 cADIS Press Reactions 17 J",'1981 7
