Ineffectiveness of clonidine in the treatment of the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome: report of three cases

The effectiveness of clonidine hydrochloride in the treatment of abrupt withdrawal from long-term, therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines was studied in three patients under double-blind, placebo-controlled conditions. The intensity, severity, and duration of the abstinence syndrome were not altered by clonidine at a dose sufficient to markedly reduce blood pressure and plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol. These results contrast with the established efficacy of clonidine in the opiate withdrawal syndrome and suggest that many of the symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal may not be caused by hyperactivity of the noradrenergic system.