Chronic benzodiazepine use in general practice patients with depression: an evaluation of controlled treatment and taper-off: report on behalf of the Dutch Chronic Benzodiazepine Working Group

Abstract

Background: Many patients with depression take benzodiazepine drugs long term despite the absence of continuing therapeutic value.

Aims: To evaluate a treatment programme involving gradual discontinuation with or without simultaneous selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescribing and to determine the long-term outcome after benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Method: Patients went through three phases - change to an equivalent dose of diazepam; subsequent randomisation to either 20 mg of paroxetine or placebo; and gradual reduction of diazepam in depression-free patients - with a follow-up after 2 or 3 years.

Results: A total of 230 patients were recruited and 75% in the paroxetine group and 61% in the placebo group were successfully treated after 6 weeks (P:=0.067). After 2 or 3 years 13% of patients were still benzodiazepine free: 26% of those who had successfully tapered off benzodiazepine and 6% of the total group.

Conclusions: Transfer to diazepam followed by gradual withdrawal is an effective way of discontinuing chronic benzodiazepine use. The addition of SSRI treatment is of limited value.