In this study on 99 outpatients who were being treated for alcohol and/or drug dependence and also using benzodiazepines (BZDs), prevalence rates of DSM-III-R and ICD-10 substance dependence diagnoses were ascertained and scalability, reliability and validity of the scales of the Benzodiaepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire (Bendep-SRQ) were assessed. The latter properties were investigat...

The electrophoretic separation of electrically neutral benzodiazepines (BZDs) can be achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatograpy (MEKC). The cyclodextrin (CD)-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography separation of eight of the most frequently used BZD was obtained within 15 minutes at + 25 kV on a 64.5 cm x 50 μm I.D. silica capillary at 25C, using a 25 mM sodium tetraborate-50 mM ...

The aim of this work is to elaborate a fast and reliable capillary electrophoresis method, for the separation of 1,4-benzodiazepine (BZD) derivates and their degradation products in acidic medium and in UV light. Because BZDs are neutral, hydrophobic compounds, the most efficient method proved to be micellar elektrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC). For the separation we used a sodium tet...

BACKGROUND Long-term use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) is common. Not only is such use ineffective, but it also has several risks in addition to dependence, and remains a significant problem among the older population. AIM To systematically review randomised controlled trials that evaluate the effectiveness of minimal interventions to reduce the long-term use of BZDs in primary care. DESIGN AND...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have found associations between the use of central nervous system medication and the risk of cognitive decline in the aged. Our aim was to assess whether the use of a single central nervous system (CNS) medication and, on the other hand, the combined use of multiple CNS medications over time are related to the risk of cognitive decline in an older (≥ 65 yrs) populati...

The objective of this study was to examine the association of depression, psychotropic medications, and mental illness with cardiovascular disease in a nationwide community-dwelling elderly population in Taiwan. A total of 5664 participants who enrolled in the Healthy Aging Longitudinal Study in Taiwan (HALST) were included in the study. Multiple logistic regression was applied to investigate t...

High-dosage buprenorphine (BUP) consumed concomitantly with benzodiazepines (BZDs) including flunitrazepam (FZ) may cause life-threatening respiratory depression despite a BUP ceiling effect and BZDs' limited effects on ventilation. However, the mechanism of BUP/FZ interaction remains unknown. We hypothesized that BUP may alter the disposition of FZ active metabolites in vivo, contributing to r...

INTRODUCTION Mexazolam is indicated for the management of anxiety with or without psychoneurotic conditions. In adult patients, the recommended daily dosage of mexazolam is 1-3 mg, administered three times daily. The objective of this article is to review the available information on the benzodiazepine (BZD) mexazolam and its clinical utility in treating patients with anxiety. METHODS The Pub...

Modulation of GABA(A) receptors by benzodiazepines (BZDs) is believed to involve two distinct steps: a recognition step in which BZDs bind and a conformational transition step in which the affinity of the receptor for GABA changes. Previously, using gamma(2)/alpha(1) chimeric subunits (chi), we demonstrated that although the N-terminal 167 gamma(2) amino acid residues confer high-affinity BZD b...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Heterologous expression of alpha1, beta2 and gamma2S(gamma1) subunits produces a mixed population of GABA(A) receptors containing alpha1beta2 or alpha1beta2gamma2S(gamma1) subunits. GABA sensitivity (lower in receptors containing gamma1 or gamma2S subunits) and the potentiation of GABA-activated chloride currents (I(GABA)) by benzodiazepines (BZDs) are dependent on gamma2...