Benzodiazepines are commonly misused by individuals with opioid dependence, with prevalence rates of 45%-70% for patients in opioid maintenance treatment. Although benzodiazepines taken alone are relatively safe in case of overdose, the combination of these drugs and opioid analgesics can produce significant respiratory depression and may be fatal. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing of opioids with benzodiazepines should be reserved for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; such patients should be closely monitored.
Read more about opioid and benzodiazepine coadministration.
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Cite this: Mary L. Windle. Fast Five Quiz: Benzodiazepines - Medscape - Feb 02, 2021.
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