Prescribing Benzodiazepines (BZDs) in elderly patients for multiple indications is a common practice in many countries. Although their long term side effects in elderly patients are well documented, in some clinical conditions they offer great relief. This article details about why the use (no more than 2 to 4 weeks) of benzodiazepine especially in elderly patients should be restricted to avoid further complications. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are one of the most used group of pharmaceuticals in the world.
BZDs are a class of agents that work on the central nervous system. BZDs are frequently prescribed to patients with different neurological, and psychiatric disorders to treat: Anxiety Nervousness Panic disorders Muscle spasms Seizures Sleeplessness BZDs are used 3 times more frequently in older adults (≥65 years). It is estimated that elderly patients consume 50% of the total prescription…
