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Benzodiazepines in schizophrenia. Is there a trend towards long-term prescribing?

Oxleas NHS Trust, Bexley Hospital, Old Bexley Lane, Bexley, Kent DA5 2BW

John Whitmore, Principal Pharmacist

Stone House Hospital, Dartford, Kent

AIMS AND METHOD

We sought to determine the prevalence of long-term benzodiazepine prescribing in patients with schizophrenia occupying psychiatric rehabilitation beds. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 11 National Health Service trusts.

RESULTS

Almost 10% of patients occupying rehabilitation beds had a diagnosis of schizophrenia and received long-term benzodiazepines in combination with one or more antipsychotics.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Our results are consistent with those of other authors and show that benzodiazepines are frequently used in the long-term in patients with schizophrenia despite a lack of open acknowledgement of this practice and a paucity of objective data to support its efficacy.

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				C. Haw and J. Stubbs Benzodiazepines a necessary evil? A survey of prescribing at a specialist UK psychiatric hospital J Psychopharmacol, August 1, 2007; 21(6): 645 - 649. [Abstract] [PDF]