Updated Warning for Benzodiazepines

July-August 2021

pills spilling out bottle

In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the Boxed Warning for benzodiazepines would be updated to include the serious risks of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal reactions. 

Overprescribing of benzodiazepines and co-prescribing benzodiazepines with opioids could lead to serious side effects.

The FDA recommends to limit the use of benzodiazepines to the shortest possible duration and gradually taper use to minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

If benzodiazepines are needed long-term, consider alternative treatments.