Question

A 70-year-old woman with chronic insomnia has been taking a benzodiazepine nightly for many years. She has had two recent falls. She now requests a higher dose because she feels it "no longer works". According to Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations, what is the most appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Discuss the risks and initiate a supervised taper of the benzodiazepine while offering non-pharmacologic insomnia treatments

Answer

Increase the benzodiazepine dose as requested

Answer

Switch to a different benzodiazepine with a longer half-life

Answer

Abruptly discontinue the benzodiazepine

Answer

Prescribe additional sedating medications such as antipsychotics

Practice question

A 70-year-old woman with chronic insomnia has been taking a benzodiazepine nightly for many years. She has had two recent falls. She now requests a higher dose because she feels it "no longer works". According to Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations, what is the most appropriate response?