Adverse Reactions to Benzodiazepines BZs

Standard textbooks and reviews spanning more than two decades as well as a variety of clinical studies confirm widespread recognition of BZ-induced behavioral abnormalities (Arana et al., 1991 Ashton, 1995 DiMascio et al., 1970 Kochansky et al., 1975 Maxmen, 1991 Rosenbaum et al., 1984 Shader et al., 1977). My 1998(b) review titled Analysis of Adverse Behavioral Effects of Benzodiazepines With a Discussion of Drawing Scientific Conclusions From the FDA s Spontaneous Reporting System probably remains one of the most complete reviews in the scientific literature. 

Salzman et al. (1974), in a placebo-controlled study, showed that volunteers taking chlordiazepoxide became more hostile when confronted 

Writing in The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Rail (1990) summarized  

Rail believed that the incidence of such paradoxical reactions is extremely small. Whether or not that is true, they are extremely hazardous. They are more common in regard to the short-acting BZs. 

Drug-induced disinhibition or loss of impulse control can cause serious harm to self and to others. I have evaluated in depth cases in which only one or two doses of a BZ such as alprazolam or clonazepam have led to suicidal or homicidal outbursts. 

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