The Veterans Health Administration created this clinician’s guide to reevaluating the use of benzodiazepines in treating depression, anxiety and insomnia in Veterans. The guide includes information about the significant risks of benzodiazepines including patients developing physical dependence on the medications and their association with patient accidents and fatalities and recommends that benzodiazepines should only be used for short-term treatment. Special sections are devoted to considering benzodiazepine use in high risk populations including patients with also take opioid medications, the elderly, and patients with dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, or chronic respiratory disease.
Funding Source: Pharmacy Benefits Management Academic Detailing Service, Veterans Health Administration
Re-evaluating the Use of Benzodiazepines - A Focus on High-Risk Populations
A clinician's guide to reevaluating the use of benzodiazepines with a focus on high risk populations.