Benzodiazepines in elderly patients.

Nearly 700,000 adults with a purchase of benzodiazepines, Z-drugs (medications acting on benzodiazepine receptors that do not have a benzodiazepine structure, i.e., zolpidem and zopiclone) and melatonin in the Danish National Patient Registry between 2000 and 2018 were included. Not at all: common side effects of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, such as sedation, slowed reaction time, impaired balance and gait, may indeed facilitate falls, even though no more than other medications. Very often I have been able to successfully address insomnia that was refractory to hypnotics by switching the patient to very low-dose clonazepam (0.25 mg in two divided doses), with the benefit of avoiding a medication bulk at night. [Extracted from the article]