 |
|
Rapid Recovery From Massive Diazepam Overdose
David J. Greenblatt, MD;
Elaine Woo, MD;
Marcia Divoll Allen, RN;
Paul J. Orsulak, PhD;
Richard I. Shader, MD
JAMA. 1978;240(17):1872-1874.
Abstract
Two patients were hospitalized in moderately deep coma after ingestion of large doses of diazepam (500 and 2,000 mg) with suicidal intent. Neither patient experienced important complications; both recovered fully and were discharged within 48 hours. Concentrations of diazepam and its three pharmacologically active metabolites (desmethyldiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam) were determined in multiple samples drawn during and after hospitalization. High concentrations of all four compounds were present in early samples, then declined slowly during the next one to two weeks. Rapid clinical recovery after diazepam overdose is not attributable to rapid elimination of active compounds from the body, but more likely to adaptation or tolerance to their depressant effects.
(JAMA 240:1872-1874, 1978)
Author Affiliations
From the Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital (Drs Greenblatt and Woo and Ms Allen), and the Psychopharmacology (Dr Shader) and Neuropsychopharmacology (Dr Orsulak) Research Laboratories, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston.
Footnotes
Reprint requests to Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 (Dr Greenblatt).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Specific Treatment of Benzodiazepine Overdose
Lheureux and Askenasi
Hum Exp Toxicol 1988;7:165-170.
ABSTRACT
Withdrawal Reaction From Long-term, Low-dosage Administration of Diazepam: A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Case Study
Winokur et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1980;37:101-105.
ABSTRACT
|
