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At one time, benzodiazepines such as alprazolam, diazepam and lorazepam were assumed to be safer than alternatives and were prescribed quite freely, particularly among seniors. While these drugs are now frequently abused and misused across all ages, long-term use is especially harmful. The short-term assistance of helping Ilsa get some sleep during a stressful period is outweighed by the risks of long-term use. Side-effects include impaired thinking, reduced mobility and increased risk of injury from falls or car accidents.

As health-care providers, we commonly prescribe and dispense these medications. But in addition to providing a prescription, increasingly we are offering advice and talking to patients about the harms of long-term use and how they can avoid getting hooked on these medications over the long-term.

We know that seniors especially need support on how to taper medications.

It isn’t enough just to tell a patient that they should stop taking that pill, they need support and tools to safely wean themselves from these powerful medications. In fact, seniors often ask us about whether these medications can be addictive. This is an excellent time to discuss the potential pitfalls of long-term benzodiazepine use.

A groundbreaking study from researchers at the University of Montreal tested whether community pharmacists could help seniors taper benzodiazepine use. The study tested this by providing education to pharmacists on how to do this safely. Alongside health-professional education were materials developed specifically for patients on the harms of benzodiazepines and safer alternatives — medications or strategies that could replace their pills.