The prescribing dilemma of benzodiazepines.
BACKGROUND
Benzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed psychoactive drug in western societies. While associated with risk and harm, they have a legitimate place in therapeutics. Prescribing practice does not reflect guidelines and guidelines rarely provide the practical strategies required to manage the complex clinical management of conditions such as anxiety, insomnia and drug dependence.


OBJECTIVE
This article proposes a model for rational prescribing of benzodiazepines that may be transferable to other therapeutic situations requiring the consideration of complex health, social and system factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Benzodiazepines, like all psychoactive drugs, have their 'good', 'bad' and 'ugly' side. Prescribing decisions are complex along the spectrum of use. Many subtle factors influence how each of us prescribe such as our knowledge of our patients, their medical histories, their personal situations and the individual doctor-patient relationship.
Centre for Postgraduate Medicine, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. m.sim@ecu.edu.au
Moira G
MG
Sim
Eric
E
Khong
Toni D
TD
Wain
D001315:Australia; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000075202:Contraindications; D003657:Decision Making; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D001569:Benzodiazepines