Term: Benzodiazepines

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2010-08-05

Definition:

Benzodiazepines belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. They are used to slow down the nervous system and are typically classified as having short, intermediate or a long-acting half-life, to reflect how long these medications remain active in the body. Benzodiazepines can be used to treat: anxiety disorders, panic disorders, insomnia, seizures, muscle spasticity, alcohol withdrawal, and as a perioperative adjunct to anesthesia (Repchinsky, 2009). Tolerance and physical and psychological dependence may occur with prolonged use (Repchinsky, 2009). Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines is not recommended and tapering-down the dose can reduce withdrawal symptoms which can occur with long term use (Lader, Tylee, & Donoghue, 2009).

Additional Information

• please see the Benzodiazepine Use concept for a list of ATC codes and generic drug names used to identify benzodiazepines in different MCHP research.
  
  
• see Table 2.2 in Chateau et al. (2015) for examples of benzodiazepines associated with the quality indicators used in this study.

Related concepts 

• Benzodiazepine Use / Benzodiazepine Dispensations

Related terms 

• Anxiety /Anxiety States
• Benzodiazepine DDDs of Users
• Benzodiazepine Prescribing for Residents of Personal Care Homes (PCH)
• Benzodiazepine Prescriptions
• Benzodiazepine Prescriptions to Community-Dwelling Older Adults
• Indicators of Quality Primary Care / Primary Care Quality Indicators
• Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing of Benzodiazepines to Older Adults (75+)
• Psychotropics
• Quality Indicator (QI) - IMPRxOVE Program
• Repeated Benzodiazepine Prescriptions

References 

• Doupe M, Brownell M, Kozyrskyj A, Dik N, Burchill C, Dahl M, Chateau D, De Coster C, Hinds A, Bodnarchuk J. Using Administrative Data to Develop Indicators of Quality Care in Personal Care Homes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Chateau D, Walld R. Sex Differences in Health Status, Health Care Use, and Quality of Care: A Population-Based Analysis for Manitoba's Regional Health Authorities. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2005. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Katz A, De Coster C, Bogdanovic B, Soodeen R, Chateau D. Using Administrative Data to Develop Indicators of Quality in Family Practice. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2004. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Lader M Tylee, A, Donoghue J. Withdrawing benzodiazepines in primary care. CNS Drugs 2009;23(1):19-34. [Abstract] (View)
• Repchinsky C (ed). Benzodiazepines. Compendium of pharmaceuticals and specialties, online version (e-CPS), Canadian Pharmacists Association. 2009.(View)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Chateau D, Enns M, Ekuma O, Koseva I, McDougall C, Kulbaba C, Allegro E. Evaluation of the Manitoba IMPRxOVE Program. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2015. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, Burland E, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C. Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas 2009. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C, Koseva I, Bailly A, Allegro E. The 2013 RHA Indicators Atlas. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2013. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Katz A, Bogdanovic B, Soodeen R. Physician Integrated Network Baseline Evaluation: Linking Electronic Medical Records and Administrative Data. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Martens PJ, Bartlett J, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Huq S, Romphf L, Sanguins J, Carter S, Bailly A. Profile of Metis Health Status and Healthcare Utilization in Manitoba: A Population-Based Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Metge C, Chateau D, Prior H, Soodeen R, De Coster C, Barre L. Composite Measures/Indices of Health and Health System Performance. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] (View)