Posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2004, at 7:23:04
In reply to Re: Hi Adam:Benzo talk » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 3:47:43
Hello again...
Diazepam seems to be the most popular benzo in the UK because in the 1980s the Committee on safety of medicines (a government organisation) handed out guidance to doctors in England about the use of benzos. They stated that diazepam was useful because it is easier to taper than the other benzos available in the UK. They said that it was easier to taper because it has a long half life and comes in 2mg tablets- facilitating a slow withdrawal.
Most doctors seem to be under the bizarre impression that diazepam has a much lower abuse potential than other benzos! Who are they kidding! They don't seem to understand the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence. My pdoc says he never prescribes lorazepam because he is convinced diazepam is much less likely to be abused!
Bromazepam was 'black-listed' by the National Health Service many years ago. It was black-listed because there were several cheaper benzos on the market at the time. This means that it was only available on a private prescription, ie. not on the NHS. As a result, very little Lexotan was dispensed in the UK. Recently, the manufacturer discontinued it in the UK altogether- presumably because of low sales.
Lorazepam seems to be thought of as a dangerous benzo in England because it received a lot of media attention for causing severe withdrawal symtoms. This isn't a good reason not to use it prn though, is it?
Please tell me more about your experience with clobazam...
All the best........
Ed
poster:ed_uk
thread:410990
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041108/msgs/413713.html