Benzodiazepines are used for the treatment of anxiety, and represent one of the most commonly prescribed classes of drugs. They produce drowsiness, muscle relaxation and impair coordination and cognitive performance. The relation between benzodiazepines and accidental injury was evaluated in 4,554 people who had prescriptions for benzodiazepines (BZ group) and in 13,662 people with prescriptions for drugs other than benzodiazepines (nonBZ group). Women comprised 65 percent and men 36 percent of the BZ group. In a three-month period, prior to filling a prescription, the BZ group was twice as likely as the nonBZ group to have an accident that required medical attention and/or hospitalization. During the six-month period following initiation of benzodiazepine therapy, the BZ group was more than twice as likely as the nonBZ group to require accident-related care, 1.6 times more likely to be hospitalized, and 1.2 times more likely to have at least one accident. Members of the BZ group who filled three or more prescriptions during the six-month period were more likely to have an accident than members who had only one prescription filled. These results suggest that the use of benzodiazepines increases the risk of accidents that require medical attention. Shortcomings of the study, such as the possibilities that people who use benzodiazepines may be more likely to seek medical care and some of the visits may have been for follow-up care, are discussed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)