THE PROBLEM OF BENZODIAZEPINE USE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS: A REVIEW ON DEPENDENCE AND DEPRESCRIBING

The use of benzodiazepines in elderly patients is a critical issue and 
requires clearer prescribing guidelines and rigorous monitoring. The objective of this 
study will be to evaluate the problems of benzodiazepine use, dependence, and 
deprescription in elderly patients. The methodology applied was an integrative 
literature review. The search was conducted in the PubMed database using the 
descriptors "Benzodiazepine AND Elderly OR Pharmaceutical Care." Free full text 
filters were applied and the period 2020 to 2024 was used. Developing clearer 
prescribing guidelines and monitoring use can help curb prescribing rates. Overuse 
may be driven by variations in prescribing practices. Future interventions could 
target prescribers in settings with higher prescribing rates.