Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Volume 14, Issue 2, Pages 78-87Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.3109/13651500903447810
Keywords
Benzodiazepines; prescriptions; long-term usage; dependence problems
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Purpose. The use of benzodiazepines remains a source of controversy. Some prescribers believe that they are beneficial and espouse their use; others regard their risk: benefit ratio as too adverse for any but occasional use. This review considers these viewpoints based on the appropriate literature. Survey. The recent English-language literature relating to this topic was surveyed. The publications proved too heterogeneous for a formal meta-analysis, so a descriptive review is provided. Overview. Surveys of benzodiazepine use provide data mainly from the UK, Europe and North America. Prescribing patterns varied widely but long-term usage is common and sometimes the norm. Conclusions. Long-term prescription of benzodiazepines still takes place despite general warnings from the medical and other professions and drug regulatory bodies that long-term use is unjustified both from the lack of a systemic database establishing such efficacy and a large literature documenting the risks of long-term usage, such as dependence. The young and the old are particularly at risk. Continued monitoring is essential, but the regulatory authorities may need to take a more active role in curbing such undesirable practice.
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