title: Do benzodiazepines contribute to respiratory problems?
abstract: Non-selective benzodiazepines are a class of sedative and anxiolytic medication that are commonly prescribed. Physiology studies and animal studies suggest that non-selective benzodiazepines may adversely impact respiration through a variety of mechanisms. Several recent, well-designed, population-based observational studies confirm that benzodiazepine-related negative respiratory outcomes are a concern. In this article, the mechanisms and clinical evidence for non-selective benzodiazepine-related adverse respiratory outcomes, as well as the methodological issues relating to the evaluation of adverse drug effects are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Respirology, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Vozoris
mesh_terms: D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines
keywords: benzodiazepines; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; epidemiology; pneumonia; sedatives