Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects

<b>Background:</b> Despite widespread consensus on the need to reduce benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults, prescription rates in the U.S. have paradoxically increased over the past few decades. Objective: We examined (1) the characteristics of the BZD adverse reaction cases in patie...

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Main Authors: Bryan Y. Choi, Namkee G. Choi, C. Nathan Marti, S. David Baker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Pharmacoepidemiology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/3/3/19
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author Bryan Y. Choi
Namkee G. Choi
C. Nathan Marti
S. David Baker
author_facet Bryan Y. Choi
Namkee G. Choi
C. Nathan Marti
S. David Baker
author_sort Bryan Y. Choi
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Despite widespread consensus on the need to reduce benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults, prescription rates in the U.S. have paradoxically increased over the past few decades. Objective: We examined (1) the characteristics of the BZD adverse reaction cases in patients aged 50 and older that were admitted to a healthcare facility (HCF) and experienced major effects/death, and (2) the associations between the concomitant use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death among BZD cases. <b>Methods</b>: We used the 2015–2022 National Poison Data System (NPDS), which contained data from 55 America’s Poison Centers. We fitted two multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between the co-use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death. <b>Results</b>: Of the BZD cases that were examined (N = 1979), 14.9% or 295 cases were admitted to healthcare facilities, and 8.5% of those who were followed up (77 out of 893 cases) experienced major effects or death. The number of co-used substances, co-use of opioids and antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and Gabapentin were associated with greater odds of healthcare admission. Co-use of opioids and healthcare admission were associated with greater odds of major effects/death. <b>Conclusions</b>: Adverse reactions and healthcare admissions are likely to be prevented when healthcare providers limit and carefully monitor BZD prescribing, especially for those who are on other medications, including prescription opioids and antidepressants.
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spelling doaj-art-ca0c24e6d92d44c2857a6aeccd8369d92025-08-20T01:55:46ZengMDPI AGPharmacoepidemiology2813-06182024-08-013328529610.3390/pharma3030019Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical EffectsBryan Y. Choi0Namkee G. Choi1C. Nathan Marti2S. David Baker3Department of Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bayhealth Medical Center, Dover, DE 19901, USASteve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USASteve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USACentral Texas Poison Center, Temple, TX 76508, USA<b>Background:</b> Despite widespread consensus on the need to reduce benzodiazepine (BZD) use in older adults, prescription rates in the U.S. have paradoxically increased over the past few decades. Objective: We examined (1) the characteristics of the BZD adverse reaction cases in patients aged 50 and older that were admitted to a healthcare facility (HCF) and experienced major effects/death, and (2) the associations between the concomitant use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death among BZD cases. <b>Methods</b>: We used the 2015–2022 National Poison Data System (NPDS), which contained data from 55 America’s Poison Centers. We fitted two multivariable logistic regression models to examine the associations between the co-use of opioids and/or antidepressants and HCF admission and major effects/death. <b>Results</b>: Of the BZD cases that were examined (N = 1979), 14.9% or 295 cases were admitted to healthcare facilities, and 8.5% of those who were followed up (77 out of 893 cases) experienced major effects or death. The number of co-used substances, co-use of opioids and antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, and Gabapentin were associated with greater odds of healthcare admission. Co-use of opioids and healthcare admission were associated with greater odds of major effects/death. <b>Conclusions</b>: Adverse reactions and healthcare admissions are likely to be prevented when healthcare providers limit and carefully monitor BZD prescribing, especially for those who are on other medications, including prescription opioids and antidepressants.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/3/3/19benzodiazepinesadverse reactionolder adultspoison centersopioidsantidepressants
spellingShingle Bryan Y. Choi
Namkee G. Choi
C. Nathan Marti
S. David Baker
Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
Pharmacoepidemiology
benzodiazepines
adverse reaction
older adults
poison centers
opioids
antidepressants
title Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
title_full Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
title_fullStr Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
title_full_unstemmed Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
title_short Benzodiazepine Adverse Reaction Cases Age 50 and Older Reported to the U.S. Poison Centers: Healthcare Use and Major Medical Effects
title_sort benzodiazepine adverse reaction cases age 50 and older reported to the u s poison centers healthcare use and major medical effects
topic benzodiazepines
adverse reaction
older adults
poison centers
opioids
antidepressants
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-0618/3/3/19
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