Stopping
Benzodiazepines
When should benzodiazepines be stopped?
- Deprescribing is a medical term for the stopping / discontinuation of a medication.
- Any medication, like benzodiazepines, should only be used for as long as they are needed.
- All medications should be stopped:
- When they are no longer clinically indicated or needed
- If they no longer offer any benefits for the medical problem they were prescribed for
- If the side effects of the drug outweigh the benefits
- Stopping benzodiazepines can be difficult for many reasons, and so having some support available during this time can help increase your chances of successfully stopping the drug.
How should benzodiazepines be stopped?
However benzodiazepines are stopped, they should be stopped slowly, and you should be monitored by your doctor/s or healthcare providers for any signs of withdrawal from decreasing or stopping the drug, or the appearence of symptoms of the condition for which the benzodiazepine was being prescribed for.
Stopping benzodiazepines is done by decreasing down the benzodiazepine dose or frequency by small amounts over time. This may take weeks to months depending on the dose and how long the Benzodiazepine had been taken for.
You must talk to your doctor/s and other healthcare professionals before deciding whether to stop any benzodiazepine (or other) drugs. They will be able to talk with you about why you have been prescribed a benzodiazepine and other treatment options, and if and when your benzodiazepine drug should be stopped, and how this can be done.
Your pharmacist, like your doctor, can also talk with you about your BZD medication, why you are on it, and about stopping it, which is part of their job as a pharmacist. They are also able to speak with your doctor, to make sure everyone is aware of changes to your medication.