Abstract
Rebound insomnia followed the withdrawal of three benzodiazepine hypnotic drugs, each of which had been administered in a single nightly dose for only short-term periods. The intense worsening of sleep is attributed to the short duration of the action of these drugs. A hypothesis involving benzodiazepine receptors in the brain is proposed in which there is a delay or lag in replacement of endogenous benzodiazepine-like molecules after the abrupt withdrawal of exogenous drugs.
MeSH terms
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Benzodiazepines / adverse effects*
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Benzodiazepines / metabolism
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Brain / metabolism
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Flunitrazepam / adverse effects
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Flunitrazepam / metabolism
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Humans
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects*
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Hypnotics and Sedatives / metabolism
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Nitrazepam / adverse effects
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Nitrazepam / metabolism
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Receptors, Drug / drug effects
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Receptors, Drug / metabolism
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Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / etiology*
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Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / metabolism
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Substance Withdrawal Syndrome* / metabolism
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Syndrome
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Time Factors
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Triazolam / adverse effects
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Triazolam / metabolism
Substances
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Hypnotics and Sedatives
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Receptors, Drug
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Benzodiazepines
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Triazolam
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Flunitrazepam
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Nitrazepam