Are Benzodiazepines Safe for Those with COPD?

Taking benzodiazepines, drugs commonly prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, and breathing problems, increases the risk for serious adverse respiratory outcomes in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), according to a new study. 

In order to evaluate the effects of benzodiazepines on patients with COPD, researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Ontario, conducted a population-based retrospective study of older adults with COPD in Ontario between 2003 and 2010.
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Researchers compared the incidence of adverse outcomes in those with COPD 30 days after taking benzodiazepines against those who had not taken benzodiazepines.

They found that participants taking benzodiazepines were 45% more at risk for outpatient respiratory exacerbations and 92% more likely to visit emergency rooms for COPD or pneumonia.

“The findings suggest that decisions to use benzodiazepines in older patients with COPD need to consider potential adverse respiratory outcomes,” researchers concluded.

–Michael Potts

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Reference

Vozoris NT, Fischer HD, Wang X, Stephenson AL, Gershon AS, et al. Benzodiazepine drug use and adverse respiratory outcomes among older adults with COPD [published online ahead of print April 17, 2014]. ERI. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00008014