Pregledni rad
Benzodiazepines: Pro and Contra
Ninoslav Mimica
Vera Folnegović-Šmalc
Suzana Uzun
Margita Rušinović
Sažetak
Benzodiazepines are generally well tolerated,
have relatively few side-effects, and are efficacious in
treatment of anxious and related disorders. Because benzodiazepines
are effective hypnotics they are used in treatment
of sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines are also efficacious as
myorelaxant agents or anticonvulsants, and are widely used
for diminishing withdrawal syndrome. They are also used as
intravenous anesthetics. Pharmacokinetic features of particular
benzodiazepine determine their indication for use. Despite
wide use of benzodiazepines, their primary indication remains
for anxiety disorders in particular generalized anxiety disorder
and panic disorder. This medication is relatively nontoxic and
safer than other medication of similar effect, and when taken
in overdose rarely lethal. The most common side-effect of
these medications is unwanted daily sedation, and most problematic
side-effect is dependence, which can develop in many
patients on chronic treatment. Also another significant problem
is the discomfort caused by the withdrawal syndrome.
Because of all this the use of benzodiazepines should be very
rational, i. e. they should be prescribed only when indicated,
the lowest possible dose should be administered for as short
time as possible. If possible the therapy of anxious states
should not be longer than 4 weeks in continuum, and the therapy
for insomnia should be sporadic.
Ključne riječi
benzodiazepines; pharmacotherapy; sideeffects
Hrčak ID:
19970
URI
Datum izdavanja:
25.9.2002.
Posjeta: 9.828 *