Are Your Aging Parents Taking Sedatives? Know The Dangers

A recent newsletter from Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, geriatrician, warns us that some recent studies show that nearly one out of eight adults in the US is prescribed a sedative (benzodiazepine). Is your aging loved one taking Valium (Diazepam), Ativan (Lorazepam), Xanax (Alprazolam) or Klonopin (Clonazepam)? All of these are addictive. As they lose their effectiveness over time, the prescribing physician often increases the dose. This leads to increased risk of side effects, such as falls, confusion, irritability, poor sleep and increased risk of dementia. When your aging parent also consumes alcohol with the medication, the result can be that they stop breathing.

Dr. Landsverk reports that The American Geriatrics Society has actually added benzos to a list of medications that should be avoided in patients over 65.