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Evaluation

Behavioral Health

(SU18) Benzodiazepines in Late Life: Pharmacology, Myths and Guidance for Successful Deprescribing

Sunday, March 10, 2024
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT
Room: Stars at Night Ballroom B1
CMD Clinical Credit Recording
CME: (1) MOC: (1) CMD Clinical: (1) NP Pharmacology Hours (.5)
Disclosure(s):
Lea C. Watson, MD, MPH: No financial relationships to disclose.
Alexis Ritvo, MD, MPH: No relevant financial relationships.
While there is limited evidence to support the long-term use of benzodiazepines and known risks with use in the elderly, rates of prescribing benzodiazepines long term in the elderly continue most often for anxiety and insomnia (Santo 2022). In September 2020, the FDA updated the boxed warning for all benzodiazepines to include that “[physical dependence can occur when benzodiazepines are taken steadily for several days to weeks, even as prescribed” and “some patients have had serious withdrawal reactions after benzodiazepines were stopped suddenly or the dose was reduced too quickly. Some patients experienced withdrawal symptoms lasting many months.”(FDA 2020). When inheriting elderly patients on long term benzodiazepines how do we evaluate and minimize the risks of both being on the medication as well as tapering off the medication?

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this session, learners will be able to:
  • Identify and use the basic language of motivational interviewing.
  • Recognize common and less common symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal
  • Design deprescribing protocols based on evidence
  • Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate indications for long-term use