RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reducing the risks when using benzodiazepines to treat insomnia: A public health approach
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 293
OP 299
DO 10.3949/ccjm.91a.23061
VO 91
IS 5
A1 Modesto-Lowe, Vania
A1 Chaplin, Margaret M.
A1 León-Barriera, Roberto
A1 Jain, Lakshit
YR 2024
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/91/5/293.abstract
AB Benzodiazepines are widely used but can cause considerable harm, including sedation, addiction, falls, fractures, and cognitive impairment, especially with long-term use and in elderly patients. The authors propose a public health approach to reduce the potential for harm when using benzodiazepines to treat insomnia. Primary prevention involves judicious patient selection and patient education. Secondary prevention requires keeping the duration of use as short as possible according to guidelines. Tertiary prevention, for patients who have been taking a benzodiazepine for a long time, uses shared decision-making to introduce a gradual and carefully monitored taper.