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Explore products for seniorsAnxiety and sleep disturbances are symptoms often associated with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Doctors may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or sleep aids to help seniors with dementia rest. However, sedative-hypnotic drugs, like Valium, Xanax, and other benzodiazepines, may be unsafe for older adults. Learn how benzodiazepines work, alternatives to benzodiazepines, and dementia-related risks associated with these medications.
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[2] Gallagher, H. (2013, September). Addressing the issue of chronic, inappropriate benzodiazepine use: How can pharmacists play a role?Pharmacy.
[3] Gerlach, L. B., Maust, D. T., Leong, S. H., Mavandadi, S., & Oslin, D. W. (2018, November). Factors associated with long-term benzodiazepine use among older adults. JAMA Internal Medicine.
[4] He, Q., Chen, X., Wu, T., Li, L., & Fei, X. (2019, January). Risk of dementia in long-term benzodiazepine users: Evidence from a meta-analysis of observational studies. Journal of Clinical Neurology.
[5] Longo, L., & Johnson, B. (2000, April). Addiction: Part I. benzodiazepines—side effects, abuse risk and alternatives. American Family Physician.
[6] Olfson, M., King, M., & Schoenbaum, M. (2015, February). Benzodiazepine use in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry.
[7] Simon, G. E., & Ludman, E. J. (2006, September). Outcome of new benzodiazepine prescriptions to older adults in primary care. General Hospital Psychiatry.
[8] Zhong, G., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Zhao, Y. (2015, May). Association between benzodiazepine use and dementia: A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE.
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