Authors' recommendations: The short-term use of benzodiazepines for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder is recommended as adjunctive therapy to antidepressants until their effectiveness is apparent or in times of acute crisis or increased anxiety. One guideline specified a daily dosage of alprazolam ranging between 1.5 mg and 6 mg when used to control the anxiety associated with first-line use of antidepressants. Long-term use of benzodiazepines is only recommended in patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate numerous first-line therapies. No recommendations were provided on the maximum daily doses for long-term BZD treatment for GAD. For special populations, the guidelines generally advise against the use of BZDs in the elderly (or to use at lower adult doses if required), to use them sparingly in children and adolescents, and to use them with caution during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, during labour and delivery, and when breastfeeding.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/dec-2014/RC0567%20Limiting%20Benzodiazepines%20Final.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)