The prescribing of benzodiazepines by casualty officers in a busy district hospital over a three month period was examined by a retrospective review of case notes. Benzodiazepines, mainly diazepam, were given to 1.1% of attenders, the majority of whom had disorders involving minor muscle spasm. The efficacy of diazepam in these conditions, as well as its potential for dependence, is discussed.
WilliamsP.Physical ill health and psychotropic drug prescription - a review. Psychol Med1978; 8: 683–93
2.
WilliamsP., MurrayJ., ClareA.A longitudinal study of psychotropic drug prescription. Psychol Med1982; 12: 201–6
3.
RodrigoE.K., KingM.B., WilliamsP.Health of long term benzodiazepine users. Br Med J1988; 296: 603–6
4.
DavidsonJ.R.T., RaftD., LewisB.F., GebhardtM.Psychotropic drugs on general medical and surgical wards of a teaching hospital. Arch Gen Psychiatry1975; 32: 507–11
5.
TurnerP.Benzodiazepines and the general physician. In: FreemanH., RueY. eds. The benzodiazepines in current clinical practice.London: Royal Society of Medicine Services, 1987: 47–54
6.
DavidoffR.A.Antispasticity drugs: mechanism of action. Ann Neurol1984; 17: 107–16
7.
LossiusR., DietrichsonP., LundeP.K.M.Effect of clorazepate in spasticity and rigidity: a quantitative study of reflexes and plasma concentrations. Acta Neurol Scand1985; 71: 190–4
8.
BasmajianJ.V.Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride effect on skeletal muscle spasm in the lumbar region and neck: two double-blind controlled clinical and laboratory studies. Arch Phys Med1978; 59: 58–63
9.
GreenblattD.J., ShaderR.I., AbernethyD.R.Drug therapy. Current status of benzodiazepines (second of two parts). N Engl J Med1983; 309: 410–5
10.
Royal College of Psychiatrists. Benzodiazepines and dependence: a College statement. Bull R Coll Psych1988; 12: 107–8