ALPRAZOLAM WITHDRAWAL DELIRIUM - A CASE-REPORT

Benzodiazepine withdrawal delirium is thought to be uncommon. Only two clear reports of alprazolam withdrawal appear in the literature, but the use of this drug is expected to increase because of its recent app roval for the treatment of panic disorder. We report on a patient with severe alprazolam withdrawal delirium that developed immediately afte r an accidental reduction of the dose. This case demonstrates importan ce of clinician awareness of the previous use of alprazolam in individ ual patients, especially in hospital settings where free patient use o f drugs is prohibited.