This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: None, Subject name: Pharmacology
[{'content': 'All are true of benzodiazepines except: \nSelect and explain. \nA. Benzodiazepam is used in treatment of status epilepticus, B. Benzodiazepam is used in the long term treatment of psychic disorders, C. Clonazepam is used in the treatment of petitmal epilepsy, D. None of the above', 'role': 'user'}, {'content': 'Answer: B \nExplanation: Benzodiazepines are effective for the treatment of anxiety symptoms secondary to panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, performance anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and extreme anxiety associated with phobias, such as fear of flying. \u200b\nThe benzodiazepines are also useful in treating anxiety related to depression and schizophrenia.\xa0\nClonazepam is occasionally used as adjunctive therapy for certain types of seizures, whereas lorazepam and diazepam\xa0are\xa0the\xa0drugs\xa0of\xa0choice in terminating status\xa0epilepticus. Due to cross-tolerance, chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, lorazepam, and oxazepam are useful in the acute treatment of alcohol withdrawal and reduce the risk of withdrawal-related seizures.\u200b\nOne area of concern regarding the use of benzodiazepines in\xa0the treatment of anxiety is the potential for habituation, dependence,\xa0and abuse. Patients with certain personality disorders or a history of\xa0drug or alcohol abuse are particularly susceptible. However, the risk\xa0of dependence must be balanced with the need for treatment, since\xa0benzodiazepines are effective in both short- and long-term treatment\xa0of patients with sustained or recurring bouts of anxiety. Further, premature discontinuation of benzodiazepines, in the absence of other\xa0pharmacological treatment, results in a high rate of relapse.\xa0Withdrawal of benzodiazepines after chronic treatment, particularly\xa0those with short duration of action, can include increased anxiety\xa0and seizures. For this reason, it is important that discontinuation be\xa0earned out in a gradual manner.\nBenzodiazepines cause many adverse effects. including sedation, mild memory impairments. decreased alertness, and slowed reaction time (which may lead to accidents). Memory problems can include visual-spatial deficits, but will manifest clinically in a variety of ways, including difficulty in word-finding. Occasionally, paradoxical reactions can occur with benzodiazepines such as an increase\nin anxiety, sometimes reaching panic attack proportions. Other\xa0pathological reactions can include irritability, aggression, or behavioral disinhibition. Amnesic reactions (i.e., loss of memory for particular periods) can also occur. Benzodiazepines should not be used\xa0in pregnant women; there have been rare reports of craniofacial\xa0defects. In addition, benzodiazepines taken prior to delivery may\xa0result in sedated, under-responsive newborns and prolonged withdrawal reactions.\xa0In the elderly, benzodiazepines increase the risk\xa0of falls and must be used cautiously. These drugs are safer than classical sedative-hypnotics in overdosage and typically are fatal only if\xa0combined with other CNS depressants.\nReference: Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology Wolters Kluwer Sixth Edition page no 151,110\u200b', 'role': 'assistant'}]