Psychiatrist.comBenzodiazepines Prescribed with and Without Opioids at Discharge from the Emergency Department: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study of National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Data for 2014–2019

Analyzing the Prescription of Benzodiazepines with and without Opioids in Emergency Departments

In an era where the opioid crisis is a significant public health concern, understanding the co-prescription of benzodiazepines and opioids is crucial. This study looks into the patterns of benzodiazepine prescriptions at discharge from emergency departments, both with and without accompanying opioid prescriptions.

HCN Medical Memo
For healthcare professionals, this study underscores the importance of careful prescription practices, particularly when dealing with medications like benzodiazepines and opioids. It serves as a reminder to consider the potential risks associated with co-prescription and to monitor patients accordingly to provide better care.

Key Points

• The study focuses on emergency department visits where benzodiazepines were prescribed at discharge.
• It highlights the fact that 30% of prescription opioid overdose deaths involve benzodiazepines.
• The research provides a comparative analysis of benzodiazepine prescriptions with and without opioids.

Research shows that people who use opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently are at higher risk of visiting the emergency department, being admitted to a hospital for a drug-related emergency, and dying of drug overdose.

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