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Non-pharmacological interventions for deprescribing benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
Summary of the evidence
A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (Soni et al. 2022, 10 studies, N=1431) assessed the effectiveness of deprescribing interventions used to discontinue long-term use of benzodiazepines. The review reported that:
- Non-pharmacological interventions were more effective than routine care in facilitating benzodiazepine withdrawal (n=189; RR 3.26, 95% CI 2.36-4.51, low quality).
- Deprescribing benzodiazepines with a non-pharmacological intervention was more effective than gradual tapering alone both in the short term (n=124; RR 2.02; 95%CI 1.41, 2.89, low quality), and long term (n=123; RR 2.45; 95%CI 1.56, 3.85, low quality).
Details
Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.
