Cumulative Benzodiazepine Exposur

One way of estimating the likelihood and severity of the withdrawal syndrome (which should affect time taken to withdraw) is to use the Cumulative Benzodiazepine Exposure Index developed by Busto et al. (1986) which measures a person s total tranquilliser... 

Psychology The associations between the cumulative effects of seven benzodiazepines and the risk of fall-related injuries were assessed in a cohort study in 23,765 new users of benzodiazepines, aged 65 years and older, in Canada, between 1990 and 1994 [4 ]. Only users of a particular benzodiazepine (alprazolam, bromazepam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam and temazepam) were included in this study. The authors used both conventional parametric models (ciurent exposure, unweighted sum of past exposures) and the novel, flexible weighted cumulative exposure models. This study highlighted the importance of recognising that the effects of some benzodiazepines may cumulate over time. 

Sylvestre MP, Abrahamowicz M, /Sapek R, Tamblyn R. Assessing the cumulative effects of exposure to selected benzodiazepines on the risk of faU-related injuries in the elderly. Int Psychogeriatr April 2012 24(4) 577-86. 

---