HHS Issues New Guidance on Use of Benzodiazepines in Older Adults

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued new guidance on the long-term use of benzodiazepines (BZD) in the treatment of mental health conditions, including anxiety and insomnia, in older adults. According to the new guidance document, older adults who take BZDs are at greater risk of adverse events than younger patients, including falls, hip fractures, motor vehicle collisions, delirium, cognitive impairment, and drug interaction.

HHS along with the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) strongly recommends avoiding prescribing BZDs to older adults, except under certain circumstances. For patients already taking BZDs, they acknowledge that reductions in dosage and discontinuation can result in complications and recommend that patients and their clinical teams should engage in shared decision making regarding whether, and how to taper BZDs, considering the risks and benefits of these medications.