Convulsive status epilepticus following abrupt high-dose benzodiazepine discontinuation

The misuse of benzodiazepines (BNZ)s may result in serious side effects. Th ree cases of convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) following abrupt discontin uation of long-term use of 25 mg of lorazepam in one patient and more than 20 mg of flunitrazepam in two patients are presented; they were non-epilept ics and free of other high-risk factors for seizures. A favorable outcome f or all three cases was noted. They remain free of seizures without antiepil eptic treatment. Nevertheless, because of the extensive use of benzodiazepi nes, such rare high-risk side effects must be emphasized. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.