TY - JOUR
T1 - Benzodiazepine Use in Older Adults
T2 - Dangers, Management, and Alternative Therapies
AU - Markota, Matej
AU - Rummans, Teresa A.
AU - Bostwick, John Michael
AU - Lapid, Maria I.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
PY - 2016/11/1
Y1 - 2016/11/1
N2 - Several major medical and psychiatric organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society, advise against using benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics in older adults. Despite these recommendations, benzodiazepines continue to be massively prescribed to a group with the highest risk of serious adverse effects from these medications. This article summarizes legitimate reasons for prescribing benzodiazepines in the elderly, serious associated risks of prescribing them, particularly when not indicated, barriers physicians encounter in changing their prescription patterns, and evidence-based strategies on how to discontinue benzodiazepines in older patients. Although more research is needed, we propose several alternatives for treating insomnia and anxiety in older adults in primary care settings. These include nonpharmacological approaches such as sleep restriction–sleep compression therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety or insomnia, and as well as alternative pharmacological agents.
AB - Several major medical and psychiatric organizations, including the American Geriatrics Society, advise against using benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics in older adults. Despite these recommendations, benzodiazepines continue to be massively prescribed to a group with the highest risk of serious adverse effects from these medications. This article summarizes legitimate reasons for prescribing benzodiazepines in the elderly, serious associated risks of prescribing them, particularly when not indicated, barriers physicians encounter in changing their prescription patterns, and evidence-based strategies on how to discontinue benzodiazepines in older patients. Although more research is needed, we propose several alternatives for treating insomnia and anxiety in older adults in primary care settings. These include nonpharmacological approaches such as sleep restriction–sleep compression therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety or insomnia, and as well as alternative pharmacological agents.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.07.024
DO - 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.07.024
M3 - Review article
C2 - 27814838
AN - SCOPUS:84995598519
SN - 0025-6196
VL - 91
SP - 1632
EP - 1639
JO - Mayo Clinic proceedings
JF - Mayo Clinic proceedings
IS - 11
ER -