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Benzodiazepines for anxiety disorders: maximising the benefits and minimising the risks
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 07/03/2012
Starcevic V – The key to effective and safe long–term use of benzodiazepines is: the careful selection of patients who might benefit from them; administration in clinical situations in which they are more likely to be beneficial; use of lower doses and in conjunction with an antidepressant, if possible; monitoring and managing their side–effects; and minimising the risk of withdrawal symptoms and relapse, mainly through tapering the dose and/or combining with effective psychological interventions.