The authors present the results of a controlled observation of
withdrawal reactions accompanying cessation of desmethyldiazepam
(clorazepate) therapy. The two subjects studied had had generalized anxiety
disorder for several years; both were free from manifestations of other
forms of psychopathology or addictive behavior patterns. Both patients
maintained stable patterns of clorazepate use at modest doses for extended
periods of time. The findings suggest that the long plasma half-life of
clorazepate does not offer unique protection from withdrawal reactions
associated with long-term therapy. Manifestations of these withdrawal
reactions are indistinguishable from reactions associated with other
benzodiazepine compounds.
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