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Managing benzodiazepine withdrawal during pregnancy: case-based guidelines

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Abstract

Substance use disorders during pregnancy pose serious risks for both the mother and the fetus, demanding careful monitoring by the patient’s medical providers. Sedative-hypnotic use, in particular, is common but remains poorly studied. Management of withdrawal from chronic benzodiazepine use during pregnancy presents unique challenges to the treating physician. We present two pregnant patients with dependence on sedative-hypnotic agents, outline principles of benzodiazepine withdrawal, and suggest guidelines for detoxification during pregnancy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3520 Fifth Ave., Keystone Building, Lower Level Suite 1, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Priya Gopalan

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 3501 Forbes Ave., Suite 900, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Jody B. Glance

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, 1400 VFW Parkway,GD-110, Boston, MA, 02132, USA

    Pierre N. Azzam

Authors
  1. Priya Gopalan
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  2. Jody B. Glance
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  3. Pierre N. Azzam
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Correspondence to Priya Gopalan.

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Gopalan, P., Glance, J.B. & Azzam, P.N. Managing benzodiazepine withdrawal during pregnancy: case-based guidelines. Arch Womens Ment Health 17, 167–170 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-013-0388-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-013-0388-1

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