Sharp Rise in Concurrent Benzodiazepine and Opioid Use in the U.S.

Concurrent use was associated with heightened risk for opioid overdose–related emergency room visits and hospital admissions.

Opioid overdose–related deaths have risen dramatically in recent years, and many of those deaths involved benzodiazepines (NEJM JW Gen Med Sep 1 2015 and BMJ 2015; 350:h2698). In this retrospective analysis of U.S. claims data, researchers assessed concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine use and its effect on opioid overdose–related emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations in 315,000 adults (age range, 18–64) who filled at least one opioid prescription between 2001 and 2013.

Coprescription of benzodiazepines among opioid users increased from 9% to 17% between 2001 and 2013. Among all opioid users, annual adjusted risk for ED visits or hospitalizations was significantly higher in those who also used benzodiazepines than in those who …

Reviewing Author

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Sharp Rise in Concurrent Benzodiazepine and Opioid Use in the U.S.

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Reviewing Author