In most of the reference anxiety treatment clinical guidelines and the technical data sheets, we find that the duration of anxiety treatment with Benzodiazepines will range from 8 to 12 weeks, including its gradual withdrawal in this period. In cases of longer duration, close patient monitoring should be carried out.
The studies available on their efficacy in prolonged treatments have shown that Benzodiazepines have a decrease in their efficacy after 4-6 weeks, their effect being similar to that of a placebo.
Benzodiazepines have been the subject of many studies where their effectiveness and cost-benefit have been questioned due to their adverse effects and the high risk of dependency they cause.
In addition, the lack of information provided to the patient about the risks derived from taking this medication is very high; 6 out of 10 patients state that they have not been informed about the adverse effects and the risk to their health.
That is, benzodiazepines are treatments for the relief of anxiety symptoms, where their treatment should not exceed 12 weeks since it loses its effectiveness due to the tolerance they cause, requiring a higher dose and generating a high dependence on it.
As common side effects of benzodiazepines, nausea, constipation, blurred vision, weakness, speech disorders, dizziness, lack of balance, drowsiness, feeling of tiredness, impaired coordination, etc. may appear.
They can also cause changes in memory, especially in the ability to store new information, which may cause a lack of attention and concentration, reduced ability to solve problems, etc.
Even when patients have been taking benzodiazepines for a long time (several months, years…), paradoxical reactions may appear; that is, they produce the opposite effect to what they have been prescribed, being able to increase irascibility, more significant anxiety, agitation, depression, etc.
The side effects, together with the tolerance they cause and the high dependency they produce, have led several international organizations to establish recommendations and alerts. Thus the British Medicines Agency refers to the fact that benzodiazepines should be between 2 and 4 weeks, which includes their gradual withdrawal, and the WHO advises against its use in the treatment of stress symptoms due to traumatic situations.
The dependence generated by this drug for anxiety is high, so its withdrawal must be carried out gradually and controlled since withdrawal symptoms may appear. If withdrawn suddenly, the “rebound effect” may arise, causing irritability, insomnia, nausea, confusion, anxiety, dizziness, etc.
