Volume : 7, Issue : 3, March - 2018

No Benzo: Inculcating healthy sleep hygiene

Raja Sadhu

Abstract :

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;&#10;line-height:200%;font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose is frontpage news currently. It has led to concerted efforts to reduce overprescribing of opioids, a major cause of the current opioid crisis facing the nation. However, there is one other major drug class overprescribing, which has not garnered similar attention-the inappropriate prescribing of benzodiazepines, like alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved benzodiazepines for a diverse set of clinical indications, including for sleeplessness and insomnia, but also for anxiety, seizures, and acute alcohol withdrawal, and also prescribed off-label for restless legs syndrome and depression.<o:p></o:p></span></p>