Background: Benzodiazepine (BZD) toxicity alone or with other drugs is common in poisoning emergency departments of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular findings in patients with benzodiazepine poisoning upon admission to the emergency department. Methods: In a prospective study which was followed by retrospective analysis, 267 patients poisoned with BZD were evalu...

ABSTRACT The solvatochromic behaviour of two ketonic derivatives of benzodiazepine namely 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,5-benzodiazepine-2,4-dione (Clobazam®) and 5,(2-chlorophenyl)-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-one (Clonazepam®) were analysed in some selected solvents of different polarities using UV-Visible spectroscopy and DFT computational techniques. The solute-solvent interacti...

Results 96 patients had their prescription inactivated because it had not been requested for 3 months. 206 (56%) patients were invited for review and 151 attended and collected their stepdown regimen. 24 patients receiving a stepdown regimen were restarted on their original (or a lower) dose. Overall 85 (23%) of 369 patients remained on repeat prescription at end of project. Number of benzodiaz...

(S)-2-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[e]pyrazino[1,2-a][1,4]diazepine-6,12(11H, 12aH)-dione was obtained in a three-step, one-pot synthesis, starting from optically pure (S)-2-piperazine carboxylic acid dihydrochloride. Selective acylation of the β-nitrogen atom followed by condensation with isatoic anhydride and cyclization with HATU/DIPEA to a seven-member benzodiazepine ring, led t...

Insomnia and sleep complaints are common among older adults. Although once considered safer than benzodiazepine drugs, recent data on non-benzodiazepine drugs, such as zolpidem (Ambien(®)), have revealed similar negative effects. This issue, as well as others, has been included in the recent updated 2012 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. This article describes the risks and benefits a...

The causes of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) can be categorized as iatrogenic, infectious or idiopathic. Drug-induced SJS is associated with various antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and other drugs. However, no previous reports have mentioned an association between chlordiazepoxide, a benzodiazepine sedative, and SJS. Here, we present a case of SJS induced by chlordiazepoxide overdose. This case r...

Lacosamide has been reported to have been successfully used for non-convulsive status epilepticus after benzodiazepine failure, and convulsive status epilepticus after benzodiazepine and levetiracetam failure. We report a case of simple motor status epilepticus refractory to benzodiazepines and multiple anti-epileptic medications (AEDs) over 4 days. The addition of lacosamide in combination wit...

BACKGROUND Benzodiazepine use by elderly patients is associated with adverse outcomes including increased risk of falls and fractures, motor vehicle accidents and cognitive impairment. Recent studies suggest that individualized feedback and education to physicians may improve drug prescribing. In this study, we evaluated an intervention to address the inappropriate prescribing of benzodiazepine...