Prolonged use of benzodiazepines in the elderly patient

Abstract

The American and European societies of geriatrics support the withdrawal of benzodiazepines in elderly patients treated for a prolonged period, since its use is associated with balance disorders, falls, sedation and confusion. In our study we describe the use of benzodiazepines in patients older than 65 years. The population attended in an urban health center was selected. Prolonged treatment was defined as those lasting longer than six months. The data was obtained from the health card information system provided by the autonomous community. We identified patients older than 65 years treated with benzodiazepines from the electronic billing data of the prescriptions of these drugs dispensed in pharmacy offices during the period January-September 2016. Of the 19399 patients treated in this center, 6766 were over 65 years of age. 92.8% of patients older than 65 years were treated with benzodiazepines. 1263 used long-term benzodiazepines, 92.18% of the total. The usual practice differs from the recommendations on a limited use of benzodiazepines for a long time in elderly patients. Lormetazepan, lorazepam and alprazolam are the most prescribed benzodiazepines. These benzodiazepines can be prioritized when initiating programs of benzodiazepine deprescription in the population and propose other nonpharmacological alternatives to treat insomnia in the elderly.