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Patients, prescribing, and benzodiazepines.
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Royal College of Surgeons, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland.
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Benzodiazepine prescribing increases with age, particularly in women, and is often prolonged. Caution is advised for elderly patients due to excessive doses and inappropriate hypnotic choices.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for anxiety and insomnia.
- Long-term benzodiazepine use raises concerns regarding efficacy and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate current benzodiazepine prescribing patterns.
- To assess patient attitudes toward benzodiazepine use.
- To identify potential issues in benzodiazepine therapy.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 450 patients across 16 community pharmacies.
- Interviews conducted to gather data on benzodiazepine use, duration, and dosage.
- Analysis of prescribing trends and patient-reported effectiveness and adherence.
Main Results:
- Prescribing rates increased significantly with age (20-70 years) and were higher in females.
- The median duration of use was 2.5 years, with 66% using for ≥1 year.
- Elderly patients received excessive doses, and hypnotic selection was often inappropriate.
- 97% of patients found benzodiazepines effective; however, dose modification occurred in 22% (lower) and 7.5% (higher).
Conclusions:
- Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed for extended durations.
- Prescribing practices, especially for the elderly, require greater caution regarding dosage and drug selection.
- Long-term use and patient adherence patterns warrant further investigation.