Author: Charles Frank

Association Between Opioid and Benzodiazepine Use and Clinical Deterioration in Ward Patients PMC

However, the risk for harm and benefit of the drug combination strongly correlates to its context and there are situations, such as in the hospice setting, where benefits may outweigh the risks. Limitations of our study include its single-center cohort, which may reduce generalizability to other populations. Additionally, because we could not validate the accuracy of – or adherence to – outpatient medication lists, we were unable to identify chronic opioid or benzodiazepine users by these lists. However, patients chronically taking opioids or benzodiazepines would likely receive doses each hospital day; by including 24-hour cumulative doses in our model, we attempted to adjust for some portion of their chronic use. Also, because evaluation of delirium was not objectively recorded in our dataset, we were unable to evaluate the relationship between receipt of these medications and development of delirium, which is an important outcome for hospitalized patients.

Cardiac arrests were identified using a prospectively validated quality improvement database (33). To determine the association between opioid and benzodiazepine administration and clinical deterioration. Before you drive, go back to work, use heavy tools and machinery, or participate in other potentially dangerous activities, talk to your healthcare provider. They can guide you on what you can do to take your medications as prescribed and stay safe at the same time.

1. Use one drug or the other, or try other treatments to manage your symptoms.
2. Taking both drugs together increases your risk of overdosing and of dying from an overdose.
3. Limitations of our study include its single-center cohort, which may reduce generalizability to other populations.
4. This means that you will need higher doses of the drug to treat your health condition or disease because you’ve become tolerant of the weaker formulations of the drug.
5. The phenomenon of learning to use benzodiazepines as prescribed was so common among patients that it led to a conceptual framework of benzodiazepine use in individuals with opioid use disorder (Figure 1).

What are benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines or benzos are habit forming and you can become addicted to them – even if you take them as your doctor or health care professional has prescribed. People who have a history of drug or alcohol abuse are more likely to develop an addiction to these drugs. If you use these drugs over a long period of time you can develop a tolerance for them.

Are benzodiazepines and opioids safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Hospitalized patients often have comorbidities or physiological disturbances which might increase their risk related to use of these medications. Opioids can cause central and obstructive sleep apneas (19–21), and benzodiazepines contribute to respiratory depression and airway relaxation (22). Benzodiazepines also impair psychomotor function and recall (23), which could mediate the recognized risk for delirium and falls in the hospital (24, 25). These findings suggest pathways by which these medications might contribute to clinical deterioration.

What conditions do benzodiazepines treat?

The study protocol was approved by the University of Chicago Institutional Review Board (IRB #16995A). If you are seeking help with your loved one’s addiction, contact us today or complete our quick contact form below, to speak with an addiction treatment specialist. Benzos aren’t suitable for children, except in rare cases of acute anxiety or insomnia caused by fear or sleepwalking. If you experience any of these severe symptoms, contact your doctor immediately and address these issues.

Additional Common Questions

This means that you will need higher doses of the drug to treat your health condition or disease because you’ve become tolerant of the weaker formulations of the drug. These drugs may be very effective for the treatment of several conditions, for example, anxiety and insomnia; but be careful because you can become addicted to them. Common benzodiazepines include diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), and clonazepam (Klonopin), among others.

Most participants reported mixing benzodiazepines with OAT in order to feel euphoric. The best way to prevent side effects and an overdose is to avoid combining opioids and benzos. Use one drug or the other, or try other treatments to manage your symptoms. Unadjusted ward outcome rates for patient admissions with and without opioid or benzodiazepine administration.

Hypnotic benzos are short-acting medications generally used for the treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia. Anxiolytics are long-acting benzos generally used for the treatment of anxiety. Benzodiazepines are considered safe and effective when used as prescribed.

One benzodiazepine that’s noteworthy — even though it’s not approved (and illegal) in the United States — is flunitrazepam. This drug is best known as Rohypnol (or by the slang term “roofies”), and it’s infamous for its use as a “date rape” drug. As a result, flunitrazepam is a well-studied drug in the U.S. (and in many places worldwide). Healthcare providers can test for it and treat people under its influence (see below under “What are the disadvantages, side effects and complications that are possible with benzodiazepines?”). In a 12-month period spanning 2014 and 2015, experts estimate that at least 30.5 million people in the U.S. took benzodiazepines prescribed by a healthcare provider. Compromise typically involved dose decreases over long periods of time or sometimes asking the patient to choose between different medications.

However, it’s only effective as a short-term solution, as long-term use can lead to adverse effects such as tolerance and addiction. The majority of benzodiazepines are sold as pills or tablets for oral use, while some benzos are sold as a clear, odorless injectable liquid. Your healthcare provider will schedule follow-up visits after prescribing benzodiazepines. In some areas, providers can’t prescribe these medications without first seeing you for a follow-up visit.