Benzodiazepine and Z drug prescribing - NHS Frimley This folder brings together several resources clinicians can use to support the appropriate use and review of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. Risks associated with the long-term use of these medicines have been well recognised for many years and include falls, accidents, cognitive impairment, dependence, withdrawal symptoms.

Before prescribing a hypnotic or benzodiazepine for sleep, non-pharmacological measures should be considered and recommended. Sleepio is recommended by NICE for treating insomnia in primary care for people who would otherwise be offered sleep hygiene or medication. More information about sleep and the provision of Sleepio by Frimley Health and Care can be found here

Information about equivalent doses of oral benzodiazepines can be found here

Information about driving while taking prescribed medication can be found here

NICE's Clinical Knowledge Summary on this topic can be found  here

]]> https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation?format=html Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:49:51 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Hypnotics patient decision aid https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/791-hypnotics-patient-decision-aid?format=html Hypnotics patient decision aid https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/791-hypnotics-patient-decision-aid?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Patient info leaflets Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:49:51 +0000 Structured Medication Review (SMR)- benzodiazepines and hypnotics https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/783-structured-medication-review-smr-benzodiazepines-and-hypnotics?format=html Structured Medication Review (SMR)- benzodiazepines and hypnotics https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/783-structured-medication-review-smr-benzodiazepines-and-hypnotics?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Benzodiazepine and Z drug prescribing Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:47:35 +0000 Practice invitation to try dose reduction https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/782-practice-invitation-to-try-dose-reduction?format=html Practice invitation to try dose reduction https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/782-practice-invitation-to-try-dose-reduction?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Benzodiazepine and Z drug prescribing Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:31:43 +0000 Withdrawing from benzodiazepines and hypnotics after long term use https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/781-withdrawing-from-benzodiazepines-and-hypnotics-after-long-term-use?format=html Withdrawing from benzodiazepines and hypnotics after long term use https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/781-withdrawing-from-benzodiazepines-and-hypnotics-after-long-term-use?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Patient info leaflets Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:27:39 +0000 Simple lifestyle changes for quality sleep https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/780-simple-lifestyle-changes-for-quality-sleep?format=html Simple lifestyle changes for quality sleep https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/780-simple-lifestyle-changes-for-quality-sleep?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Patient info leaflets Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:20:39 +0000 Good sleep guide https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/779-good-sleep-guide?format=html Good sleep guide https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/779-good-sleep-guide?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Patient info leaflets Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:20:03 +0000 Good relaxation guide https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/778-good-relaxation-guide?format=html Good relaxation guide https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/patient-information-leaflets-1/778-good-relaxation-guide?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Patient info leaflets Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:19:33 +0000 Reduction schedule-temazepam 20mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/777-reduction-schedule-temazepam-20mg?format=html Reduction schedule-temazepam 20mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/777-reduction-schedule-temazepam-20mg?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Reduction schedules Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:00:33 +0000 Reduction schedule-zopiclone 7.5mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/776-reduction-schedule-zopiclone-7-5mg?format=html Reduction schedule-zopiclone 7.5mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/776-reduction-schedule-zopiclone-7-5mg?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Reduction schedules Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:00:05 +0000 Reduction schedule- diazepam 10mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/775-reduction-schedule-diazepam-10mg?format=html Reduction schedule- diazepam 10mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/775-reduction-schedule-diazepam-10mg?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Reduction schedules Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:59:21 +0000 Reduction schedule- zolpidem 10mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/774-reduction-schedule-zolpidem-10mg?format=html Reduction schedule- zolpidem 10mg https://icb-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/policies-and-documents/medicines-optimisation/prescribing-guidelines-1/central-nervous-system/benzodiazepine-and-z-drugs-discontinuation/reduction-schedules/774-reduction-schedule-zolpidem-10mg?format=html sarah.sneath@nhs.net (Sarah Sneath) Reduction schedules Fri, 08 Apr 2022 10:58:31 +0000