These can include techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, regular exercise, and stress-reduction techniques. Ideally, benzodiazepines should be used as a last resort, after making a serious attempt to treat insomnia and anxiety with non-drug approaches.
There are some older patients - often with severe chronic anxiety - who seem to overall benefit from a low dose of these drugs. Is it ever okay for an older adult to take benzodiazepines?īenzodiazepines, like all drugs and medical interventions, need to be considered by balancing their likely benefits with their burdens and harms. Studies have also found that people who take benzodiazepines have an increased risk of developing dementia. Benzodiazepines act on the same brain receptors as alcohol, and they almost always keep people with dementia from thinking at their best level. I especially recommend avoiding benzodiazepines in people with memory concerns or a dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. So it’s important to offer an older adult the right approach, and a lot of support, when it comes to getting off these drugs. (And occasionally, some patients develop problematic abuse of these drugs.) Are linked to a higher risk of dying within a few years.īecause of these problems, in 2013 the American Geriatrics Society’s Choosing Wisely list included benzodiazepines as one of the “ 5 Things Physicians and Patients Should Question,” when it comes to healthcare for older adults.īut unfortunately, benzodiazepines are easily habit-forming, meaning that the body becomes dependent on them quite quickly.Increase the risk of falls, and of fractures.For instance, research has found these drugs: However, benzodiazepines are much riskier than many older adults realize.
These drugs are usually prescribed for sleep, anxiety, or agitation. It also covers commonly-used sleeping pills such as zolpidem (brand name Ambien) Why it’s important to try to stop benzodiazepinesīenzodiazepines are a commonly used type of tranquilizing medication. The brochure above covers Ativan along with other benzodiazepines, such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, and Restoril (generic names diazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and temazepam, respectively). This process should always be done with the supervision and support of a healthcare professional. Discontinuing benzodiazepines should involve a gradual lowering of the dose. Note: It can be dangerous - as well as physically very uncomfortable - to suddenly stop benzodiazepines. You can get a copy of the brochure - which includes a sample taper schedule - here: You May Be At Risk: You are Taking a Sedative-Hypnotic.
It provides really good information about these drugs, and includes practical tips on how to address sleep and anxiety issues without using drugs. If your older relative is taking Ativan (generic name lorazepam), I highly recommend you read Dr. The must-read information brochure on Ativan and older adults Tannenbaum’s team was able to make this tricky process much more doable for older adults, their families, and their doctors.
It is, after all, generally easier to start a tranquilizer than to stop it!īut through a patient education brochure, Dr. This is big news because although experts widely agree that long-term benzodiazepine use should be avoided in older adults, getting doctors and patients to work together to stop has been tough. The brochure includes a handy illustrated guide on slowly and safely weaning a person off these habit-forming drugs. Best of all, her recently published study proved that this tool works.Īs in, 62% older adults who received this tool - a brochure with a quiz followed by key information - discussed stopping the medication with a doctor or pharmacist, and 27% were successful in discontinuing their benzodiazepine. If so, I have good news: a wonderful new patient education tool has been created by a well-respected expert in geriatrics, Dr. Would you like an easy, practical tool to help someone stop a drug whose risks often outweigh the benefits? Have you heard of Ativan (generic name lorazepam), and of the risks of benzodiazepines drugs in older adults? Is an older person you care for taking prescription medication for sleep, anxiety, or “nerves”?