Precipitation of benzodiazepine withdrawal following sudden discontinuation of midazolam

Midazolam hydrochloride is an ultra-short acting benzodiazepine recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for anesthesia induction and preoperative sedation. Frequently, midazolam is also used as an injection or infusion for the treatment of agitation in ventilator-dependent patients. A 53-year-old man underwent a gastrojejunostomy and was later intubated following the development of pseudomonal pneumonia. Midazolam was initiated in an effort to resolve his agitation and the patient continued to receive frequent bolus injections, averaging 22 mg/d over 21 days. Approximately eight hours after midazolam was abruptly discontinued, the patient became increasingly anxious and developed somatic complaints felt to be consistent with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms rapidly abated upon the reintroduction of midazolam and the drug was ultimately tapered over a period of four days and discontinued without further incident. Implications derived from the association of long-term midazolam therapy with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome are discussed.

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