Death following suspected alprazolam withdrawal seizures: a case report

Tex Med. 1990 Jan;86(1):44-7.

Abstract

This is a case report of severe psychosis and seizures following abrupt discontinuation of alprazolam and then the recurrence of seizures at the end of a gradual tapering schedule. The last of these seizures appeared to be a contributing factor in the patient's death. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of a fatality associated with alprazolam withdrawal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Alprazolam / adverse effects*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Death, Sudden / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / etiology
  • Recurrence
  • Seizures / chemically induced*
  • Seizures / complications
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome*

Substances

  • Alprazolam