A large-scale analysis of benzodiazepine prescribing in Ontario delivers three key findings with direct implications for clinical practice. First, prescription duration at initiation matters profoundly: extending prescriptions beyond 7 days substantially reduces the likelihood that patients will discontinue the medication, with prescriptions longer than 30 days reducing discontinuation by 74%. Second, current prescribing patterns diverge from evidence-based guidance, with lorazepam comprising nearly 64% of initial benzodiazepine prescriptions despite guideline recommendations favoring shorter durations and lower doses. Third, the median time to discontinuation is remarkably brief—16 to 19 days depending on sex—suggesting a narrow but critical intervention window early in treatment when clinicians can most effectively prevent progression to long-term use. These findings underscore the importance of adhering to guideline-recommended prescribing durations and identifying patients at risk for prolonged dependence. Early structured follow-up and planned discontinuation strategies may help maximize the proportion of patients who successfully stop benzodiazepines. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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