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TABLE 1. POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND RISKS OF
CONTINUED BENZODIAZEPINE USE
AND TAPERING
Potential Benefits of Ongoing Benzodiazepine Use
• Effective management of mental and physical health conditions
• Functional or quality of life improvements
Some Potential Risks of Benzodiazepine Use
• Excessive drowsiness or tiredness (oversedation)
• Falls and related injuries
• Memory problems
• Problems focusing
• Car accidents
• Interactions with other medications
• Disrupted sleep
• Physical dependence and risk for withdrawal
• Tolerance and risk for reduced medication effectiveness over time
• Negative impact on other physical or mental health conditions
• Overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or other
substances (e.g., opioids)
• Substance use disorder
• Pregnancy complications
Potential Risks of Tapering
• Withdrawal symptoms (see Figure 2) or protracted withdrawal
(i.e., withdrawal symptoms that last even after completing the
taper)
• Negative impact on other physical or mental health conditions
• Recurrence of physical or mental conditions the
benzodiazepine was originally prescribed to treat
