Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry Updates From Inpatient to Outpatient: Initiating Benzodiazepine Tapering
6 snips
Dec 17, 2024 
Guest Paul Zarkowski, a faculty member at the Psychopharmacology Institute, discusses a groundbreaking Israeli study on tapering benzodiazepines in elderly hospital patients. He highlights the significant risks associated with prolonged use, including falls and cognitive decline. The study's two interventions show modest success in encouraging medication discontinuation. Zarkowski emphasizes the importance of patient education, proper tapering protocols, and communication between physicians to improve long-term outcomes and care continuity for this vulnerable population.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Risks of Benzodiazepines in Elderly
- Benzodiazepines increase risk of falls, cognitive decline, and early nursing home placement in elderly patients.
- Stopping long-term benzodiazepine use is challenging but important due to shifting risk-benefit ratio.
Initiate Benzodiazepine Discontinuation Education
- Provide patients aged 60+ with education on benzodiazepine risks and recommend stopping treatment.
- Include a letter to their family physician to encourage discontinuation during transition from hospital.
Use Tapering Schedules in Intervention
- Add a tapering down schedule to patient education for benzodiazepine discontinuation.
- Provide clear instructions alongside risk information and notify their primary doctor.