The prevalence of benzodiazepine (BZD) use increases with age. The prevalence rates in community settings are reported to be between 10-40%. Elderly patients are at risk of adverse effects including dependence, which occurs to some extent in 15-44% of those prescribed benzodiazepines. Detection of benzodiazepine dependence in patients, especially the elderly, is very important as this helps in reducing the impact of withdrawal syndrome when discontinuation is initiated with gradual dose reduction.
Other serious adverse effects of benzodiazepines in the elderly include cognitive impairment, psychomotor effects, increased risk of falls, motor vehicle accidents and urinary incontinence. Adverse effects tend to be more significant amongst the elderly because of comorbidities, polypharmacy, and altered pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics.
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A joint initiative of the Patient Services Section and the Drug and Therapeutics Information Service of the Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. The RGH Pharmacy E-Bulletin is distributed in electronic format on a weekly basis, and aims to present concise, factual information on issues of current interest in therapeutics, drug safety and cost-effective use of medications.
Editor: Assoc. Prof. Chris Alderman, University of South Australia – Director of Pharmacy, RGH © Pharmacy Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia 5041.
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