Reducing the risk: barbiturate substitution with a benzodiazepine.

A study was carried out in general practice in 85 habitual barbiturate takers, many of whom had been using this hypnotic for over 30 years, to assess the clinical practicability and acceptance of barbiturate substitution with flurazepam. Each barbiturate capsule or tablet being taken by patients was replaced by 15 mg flurazepam, either immediately or by gradual substitution. Patients were followed-up over a period of 6 months. The results showed that 5% of the patients were able to stop hypnotic therapy after initial substitution with flurazepam, a further 7% were maintained on occasional flurazepam and 65% on repeated doses, while 18% continued to take barbiturates.