Flupirtine dependence and withdrawal syndrome

Abstract

This is the case of a 49-year-old woman, who was treated as an inpatient due to long-term flupirtine use and consecutive dependence to flupirtine. Earlier attempts to reduce the substance use by the patient herself had failed because of withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, tremor and mood alterations. There have been case reports suggesting positive reinforcing effects of flupirtine, consecutive dependence and a flupirtine-specific withdrawal syndrome. In the case reported here, flupirtine withdrawal was monitored by psychometric scales over the inpatient treatment including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and specific withdrawal scales for benzodiazepine withdrawal such as the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment scale-Benzodiazepines (CIWA-B) and the Benzodiazepine Craving Questionnaire (BCQ).

• Benzodiazepines
• craving
• flupirtine dependence
• flupirtine
• withdrawal syndrome

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.