Benzodiazepine overuse
1
6 - Benzodiazepine overuse A I-year follow-up study was conducted to investigate benzodiazepine usage (and other psychotropic agents), as prescribed by general practitioners in the County of Arhus, Denmark, in evaluable first time (n = 161) and long term users (533). Benzodiazepines or other psychotropic drugs were discontinued in 55 and 12% of first time and long term users, respectively, with significantly more older than younger first time users continuing to take their medication. Of those first time users who discontinued psychotropics, significantly more had received benzodiazepine tranquillisers than benzodiazepine hypnotics or sedatives, and of the long term users who discontinued. significantly more were not living alone, were male and received low dose tranquillisers infrequently. General practitioners judged 41 and 54% of first time and long term users, respectively, to not absolutely require the drugs and that it would be possible to withdraw the drugs in 43 and 41 % of patients; 12 and 37% were thought to be dependent and 3 and 7% to be abusers. These findings are considerably different to the current recommendations ... 'that regular prescribing for more than a few weeks should be exceptional, and that benzodiazepine hypnotics/sedatives should only be used in the short-term'. Holm M. One year follow-up of users of benzodiazepines in general practice. Danish Medical Bulletin 37: 188-191. Apr 1990 .'''' 21 J", 1990 INPHARMA- ISSN 0J56-170J/9O/071'-0001/0S0'.00/0 to Adil I,IIerlllltiou/ Ltd
Transcript of Benzodiazepine overuse
6 -
Benzodiazepine overuse A I-year follow-up study was conducted to
investigate benzodiazepine usage (and other psychotropic agents), as prescribed by general practitioners in the County of Arhus, Denmark, in evaluable first time (n = 161) and long term users (533).
Benzodiazepines or other psychotropic drugs were discontinued in 55 and 12% of first time and long term users, respectively, with significantly more older than younger first time users continuing to take their medication. Of those first time users who discontinued psychotropics, significantly more had received benzodiazepine tranquillisers than benzodiazepine hypnotics or sedatives, and of the long term users who discontinued. significantly more were not living alone, were male and received low dose tranquillisers infrequently. General practitioners judged 41 and 54% of first time and long term users, respectively, to not absolutely require the drugs and that it would be possible to withdraw the drugs in 43 and 41 % of patients; 12 and 37% were thought to be dependent and 3 and 7% to be abusers.
These findings are considerably different to the current recommendations ... 'that regular prescribing for more than a few weeks should be exceptional, and that benzodiazepine hypnotics/sedatives should only be used in the short-term'.
Holm M. One year follow-up of users of benzodiazepines in general practice. Danish Medical Bulletin 37: 188-191. Apr 1990 .''''
21 J", 1990 INPHARMA- ISSN 0J56-170J/9O/071'-0001/0S0'.00/0 to Adil I,IIerlllltiou/ Ltd
