General Considerations on Psychopharmacology in Older People

Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed psychiatric medications, with 5.6% of U.S. adults filling a prescription yearly. They are listed as a potentially inappropriate medication for older adults by the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria. Older people are at an increased risk of dependence and are more sensitive to adverse effects such as cognitive dysfunction, daytime sedation, impaired motor coordination, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, falls, and delirium. We review the prevalence of benzodiazepine use and its health risks, the mechanism of pharmacological-induced falls for psychotropic agents, and proper benzodiazepine deprescription technique.