Benzodiazepine Use among Older Adults: A Problem for Family Medicine?

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Steve Iliffe, FRCGP, Professor of Primary Care for Older People, Research Department of Primary Care, University College London, UK.

Long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults with sleep disorders is potentially hazardous, but it is also becoming easier to manage as approaches to withdrawal become feasible in primary care, without adverse consequences. This article reviews the evidence and describes practical approaches to reducing consumption of benzodiazepine hypnotics.
Key words: benzodiazepines, insomnia, older adults, primary care, hypnotics.