Risks of Benzodiazepine Discontinuation

Stopping benzodiazepines may unexpectedly lead to increased mortality, especially in patients previously on opioids. A large retrospective study indicated that those who discontinued benzodiazepines had a 1.6 times higher risk of death compared to those who continued their use, regardless of whether they were also taking opioids. This suggests that well-intentioned tapering might cause patients to seek more dangerous alternatives, as evidenced by previous research on opioid withdrawals. Ultimately, careful management and potentially prolonged tapering strategies are recommended to mitigate risks associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal.