Acute anxiety

Anxiolytic benzodiazepine treatment should be limited to the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time

Benzodiazepines should only be used to treat anxiety that is severe, disabling or subjecting the individual to extreme distress

Dependence is particularly likely in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse and in patients with marked personality disorders

A benzodiazepine may be used as short-term adjunctive therapy at the start of antidepressant or antipsychotic treatment to prevent initial worsening of symptoms

For people with learning difficulties initiate treatment with low doses and titrate cautiously with frequent monitoring for side effects