Table 1.

Descriptions of studies performed on specific treatments of benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Treatment	Studies
Flumazenil	IV infusion of flumazenil over 7 days during withdrawal period, patients stabilized with clonazepam or antidepressants. An improvement in abstinence was found Self-reported effects of flumazenil on aggression during withdrawals. A self-reported decrease in aggression in patients was found Comparison of IV infusion to subcutaneous administration of flumazenil. Subcutaneous administration was found to be more tolerable for patients
Propranolol	Abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepines in severely dependent patients and administration of propranolol rather than a slow taper. Researchers found no difference from mainstay treatment [66] Propranolol administration to patients after abrupt discontinuation of diazepam and lorazepam. Researchers found some difference from mainstay treatment
Captodiamine	Administration of captodiamine to benzodiazepine-dependent patients for 45 days after abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines. Researchers found no withdrawal symptoms present after discontinuation of captodiamine
Anticonvulsants	A case series on patients taking oxcarbazepine after cessation of benzodiazepines. A shorter withdrawal period was noted
Antipsychotics	A comparison of cyamemazine to bromazepam after 3 month treatment with benzodiazepines. Cyamemazine was found to be as effective as bromazepam in treating withdrawal symptoms
Standardized counselling protocols	Comparison of a slow taper to counselling on the dangers of benzodiazepines and alternatives to treatment. Researchers found no difference in treatments Comparison of a slow taper to a standardized interview and education protocol alongside a slow taper. Researchers found a significant improvement in symptoms and success rate in benzodiazepine discontinuation in the experimental group