Llohr t1_jegrghn wrote on March 31, 2023 at 10:12 PM

Reply to comment by SkyARKy in ELI5: If benzodiazepines are CNS depressants, why is it so hard to die from a overdose of them alone? by psychrolute

I'd like to add to this: While benzos on their own are rarely fatal if overdosed, withdrawal from them is one of the most dangerous forms of withdrawal, and can itself be fatal.

I've known some people who would read that they're so rarely fatal high doses and think, "wow I can take all the benzos I want! Benzos are safe!"

werq34ac t1_jegsm89 wrote on March 31, 2023 at 10:21 PM

Also adding to this, Flumazenil is basically the Narcan of benzos, and can reverse benzo overdose. We basically never use it because it can easily send someone into status epilepticus whilst simultaneously rendering the first-line treatment of status epilepticus (benzos) completely ineffective.