Open AccessBenzodiazepine abuse among the elderly
Author(s) -
Shalini Singh,
Siddharth Sarkar
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of geriatric mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2395-3322
pISSN - 2348-9995
DOI - 10.4103/2348-9995.195605
Subject(s) - benzodiazepine , anxiolytic , sedative/hypnotic , medicine , medical prescription , sedative , hypnotic , psychiatry , population , adverse effect , pharmacology , anxiety , environmental health , receptor
Benzodiazepines belong to the hypnotic-sedative class of drugs which have anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic properties. These drugs have been in clinical use for at least half a century. The propensity for development of dependence, especially on prescription benzodiazepines, coupled with the risk of falls and cognitive impairment due to benzodiazepines makes the elderly population susceptible to adverse outcomes with the use of benzodiazepines, and hence, cautious use is desired in this population. This review discusses the various aspects pertaining to benzodiazepine abuse in the elderly including pharmacology, prevalence of abuse, adverse consequences of benzodiazepine abuse, and subsequently assessment and management of elderly patients with benzodiazepine abuse