Deprescribing Anti-Anxiety Medications in Older Adults

Topics: anticonvulsants | antihistamines | Antipsychotics | Anxiety | Benzodiazepines | Buspirone | Deprescribing | EMPOWER trial | gabapentin | Mirtazapine | SNRIs | SSRIs | taper | Trazodone | Z-drugs

Our inclination may be to “not rock the boat” when a patient is stable and not misusing prescribed medication. However, tapering anti-anxiety medications in older adults is often a good idea when considering the risks of falls, sedation, and accidents. Which meds to taper? The risks of anti-anxiety medications increase with age. Here are some of t

Benzodiazepines in Older Adults

Topics: Addiction | Anxiety | Ashton manual | Beers criteria | Benzodiazepines | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia | Dementia | Fall risk | Hypnotics | Insomnia | Opioids | Overdose | Silexan | taper | Withdrawal

CGPR: When do you start benzodiazepines in older adults? Dr. Aiken: The best evidence for benzodiazepines in the elderly is in panic disorder, followed by phobias, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines are also the mainstay of treating catatonia, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and alcohol withdrawal. Ho