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OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND
• Benzodiazepines are commonly used medications. However,
medication needs may change over time. Some medications
may help for a short time but can be harmful when used longer
term. You or your healthcare provider may consider tapering
your benzodiazepine medication if:
• Continuing the medication puts you at risk for harm
• There are other treatments available that are likely to be
safer or more effective for you
• You no longer need the medication to manage your health
concerns
• Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative medication
approved to treat a wide range of conditions, including but not
limited to:
• Anxiety disorders
and panic attacks
• Sleep disorders
• These medications are usually taken orally (by mouth as a
tablet or liquid). Examples of benzodiazepines include:
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• diazepam (Valium)
• flurazepam
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• In 2023, nearly 24 million people in the US reported taking
benzodiazepines.
• Although these medications may be effective for a short period
of time, other treatments may be safer and equally or more
effective for longer-term use.
• For most health conditions, you should typically limit
benzodiazepine use to 2–4 weeks.
• Nearly everyone who takes benzodiazepines regularly (daily or
nearly every day) for more than a month will develop physical
dependence, even when taking the medication as prescribed.
• Seizures
• Spasticity
• triazolam
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• temazepam (Restoril)
• clorazepate
• oxazepam
