Benzodiazepines Overview
Continuing to renew benzodiazepine (BZ) prescriptions to certain
subgroups of your patients with PTSD may be a high risk practice. These
medications may no longer be of benefit to your patients and carry
significant risks associated with chronic use. Due to the lack of evidence
for their effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD, it is worthwhile for you
to implement strategies for assessing patients who are taking them
to determine if a taper is appropriate. It is also important to consider
alternate treatment options and to minimize new benzodiazepine
prescriptions whenever possible in the veteran PTSD population.
This brochure offers you valuable resources to help you taper your
patients from benzodiazepines and information on alternatives.