April 2021

Long-term use of benzodiazepines are not recommended and can cause severe physical and psychological effects. Addiction or physical dependence, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are the most serious. Older people are at particularly high risk for adverse effects of prolonged use of benzos, including 50 percent increased...

Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs, a class of drugs used to replace barbiturates for insomnia, anxiety and seizures. They  have hypnotic (sleep-inducing), sedative, anti-anxiety, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties. They are some of the most prescribed medications in the States, particularly among older people. These specific drugs...