|
|
Article: Anti-anxiety drug overdose risk. (benzodiazepine)
- Article from:
- HealthFacts
- Article date:
- April 1, 1995
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Center for Medical Consumers, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
Overdoses of certain benzodiazepine anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., Valium) are associated with significant risks, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal (28 January 1995). The finding is important because it contradicts the rationale behind medicine's enthusiasm for benzodiazepines; namely that they are safe in overdose, especially compared to the older barbiturates. Doctors' benzodiazepine prescribing practices have been criticized by some experts who point to problems with drug dependency and withdrawal.
The researchers analyzed the records of over 300 Australian patients who came to emergency rooms for treatment of benzodiazepine drug overdose ...